When did sports fans suddenly become such staunch environmentalists?
With all the talk about the importance of “atmosphere” at modern sporting events, you’d think Al Gore was covering the games instead of Al Michaels.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Toronto. At Rogers Centre, people are always suggesting ways to improve the “atmosphere” at Blue Jays games. On the other hand, soccer fans have been quick to brag about the electric “atmosphere” during Toronto FC matches at BMO Field.
But all this chatter brings to mind another weatherly term: blowing hot air.
Forget about “atmosphere.” What happened to simply going to a game and actually watching it?
In today’s YouTube, “Look at Me!” world, a lot of people seem more pumped about getting their mugs on the JumboTron as opposed to focusing on the action down on the field.
Thankfully, however, not everyone is concerned about following the crowd and some fans even prefer sitting in half-empty stadiums where there’s plenty of room to remove themselves from the masses.
Buying a seat to watch a game?
Frankly, I’d love to be able to afford my very own section.
Think about it.
You wouldn’t have to put up with any more “excuse me, excuse me” routines from the joker in your row who’s making his 10th trip to the beer stand.
No more listening to the yappy know-it-alls behind you who really know nothing at all. “I’m telling ya, Vernon Wells was a pitcher when he first came up with the Jays, and they called him Boomer.”
How many times have you had to bite your tongue when you’ve heard such inane dribble coming out of the kisser from the big mouth behind you?
And you could finally say good-bye to that goofball who still lives in his parents’ basement and shows up at the ballpark determined to start The Wave, an annoying tradition that became stale 10 years ago.
Believe it or not, there was a time when sports didn’t need bells and whistles to keep fans entertained. The game was the thing and instead of being subjected to ear-splitting music and sound effects, fathers could sit in the stands with their sons and teach them about the infield fly rule.
I miss those days and believe that modern folks have to look in the mirror because if you’re more concerned about “atmosphere” than watching the game, you can’t call yourself a sports fan.