After listening to Dr. Geoff Meek share stories about soccer hooligans overseas, it was pretty obvious that the class was more shocked then surprised. We all know that soccer fans over in England and Asia are extremely passionate when it comes to their favorite team. However, I learned that they take it to a whole new level compared to us Americans. Fans on the other side of the world root for their favorite teams or country by taking extreme measures such as using racism or fighting. In class we saw fans throwing bananas at African American soccer players that were on the other team. We also heard about fans meeting up to fight the other teams fans. It has gotten to the point that instead of brawling inside the stadium and getting security involved, they choose to meet on neutral grounds and battle it out. Hearing about this and finding out that it is not just adults, but children as young as their early teenage years fighting for their favorite team is just insane! How can you consider them fans? Those are Hooligans. In America, the perspective of a fan is someone who wears their favorite teams apparel, attend their games, talks about them, cheers when they win and maybe cries when they lose. Nothing to the point where we bust out in gang fights. Now I'm not saying you don't see a pissed off fan fight with a fan of the opposing team, I'm just saying it usually is not done in groups or without alcohol.
Think about it, the only time you see or hear about fans going out of control for their team is when a city wins a title/big game. Philadelphia is a great example, the Phillies were World Series Champions in 2008 and fans had raging parties in the streets, damaging their cities property. Another example, I know it is the World Cup and soccer is not as huge here, but Americans still got into the hype and cheered for the U.S. Well once we were eliminated by Ghana, we did not go out and try to hunt down any fans of Ghana and kick their ass. That's just not America's thing. Soccer across the world is our Football over in America, and when comparing each others fans, I think it is a fair consumption that we have more class. When our NFL team losses a game we don't go out looking for a fight to relieve our anger. Going to Cincinnati last year in all of my Steelers gear did not get me jumped, beat down or shot. I lived, and even though jokes were made I was still treated fair. That is not the case with soccer in other parts of the country. Maybe Americans need to be more thankful that they do not have to worry about their life being at stake when heading to a professional game.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
No Love For Baseball
In class we discussed possible options on why baseball is no longer Americas past time. Now before I go into details on why this might be, I want to get it out there that I am not much of a baseball guy. Yes, I admit that come spring time it is nice to participate in fantasy baseball drafts. Also, on a nice summer day I don't mind going to the ballpark, just as long as I'm not paying an arm and a leg for a ticket. This summer I interned with the Jamestown Jammers, a minor league team affiliated with the Florida Marlins. So I had my fair share of baseball games this year, and I managed to go to the Indians vs Nationals game. (Strasburgh pitched.)
Some reasons for baseball decreasing in popularity would have to be steroids usage, the separation between the good and bad teams, the length of the season and how football beings in the last month of the MLB season, or that the game play is too slow and there is not enough action.
Players partaking in steroids is a huge blow to the game of baseball. The integrity of the game takes a damper and how can you really feel passionate about a sport full of cheaters? How can you continue to root for some of your favorite players knowing they are involved with steroids? Okay, now if your favorite baseball players were not involved in steroids then at least look at the difference in the teams. No matter what, before every season you can predict that the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, and Cardinals will more than likely be in the playoffs. What is the fun in organizations buying their team? Once a player becomes a star then money talks and they end up with the Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees or Red Sox. What about the small markets? Yes, the Rays have become contenders the past few years, but for the most part those small market teams are battling it out for the first pick in the off-season. With the baseball season being so long it is easy for fans to lose interest in their team especially if their team is out of the playoff race at the all-star break. Americas love is dominated by football. Once football starts baseball gets put on the back burner. Even look at the networks of ESPN, football becomes the top priority, even if baseball is in the prime of the playoff race. Finally, there are some people who just cannot get into baseball because it is too slow. They are accustomed to faster paced sports or contact sports.
Some reasons for baseball decreasing in popularity would have to be steroids usage, the separation between the good and bad teams, the length of the season and how football beings in the last month of the MLB season, or that the game play is too slow and there is not enough action.
Players partaking in steroids is a huge blow to the game of baseball. The integrity of the game takes a damper and how can you really feel passionate about a sport full of cheaters? How can you continue to root for some of your favorite players knowing they are involved with steroids? Okay, now if your favorite baseball players were not involved in steroids then at least look at the difference in the teams. No matter what, before every season you can predict that the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, and Cardinals will more than likely be in the playoffs. What is the fun in organizations buying their team? Once a player becomes a star then money talks and they end up with the Dodgers, Cubs, Yankees or Red Sox. What about the small markets? Yes, the Rays have become contenders the past few years, but for the most part those small market teams are battling it out for the first pick in the off-season. With the baseball season being so long it is easy for fans to lose interest in their team especially if their team is out of the playoff race at the all-star break. Americas love is dominated by football. Once football starts baseball gets put on the back burner. Even look at the networks of ESPN, football becomes the top priority, even if baseball is in the prime of the playoff race. Finally, there are some people who just cannot get into baseball because it is too slow. They are accustomed to faster paced sports or contact sports.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Introduction
Bryan Ferrer here, and I am a Junior at Bowling Green State University.(BGSU). I chose BGSU because of their positive reputation with Sport Management. Being from Canton, Ohio, I felt comfortable with the distance between my hometown and Bowling Green. Another reason for choosing BGSU is because of the Bowling Green Radio Sports Organization. (BGRSO). This organization gave me the opportunity to have my own radio show and broadcast BG sports as a freshman. Knowing that, what more could I ask for, considering my dream job is to be on radio/tv and talking sports.
With me being a Sport Management major, obviously I have a passion for sports. Growing up I played Soccer, ran Cross-Country, and Track. The sports that I enjoy watching are: Football, Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball. Whether it is at the professional level or the collegiate level, I enjoy sports.
With this class being all about global sports, the one event I would desperately love to attend would be the World Cup. However, I am not just saying that because I still have World Cup fever from this past summer. I enjoy the game of soccer and having played it all my life here in America, and then watching countries all across the world show their passion for soccer just makes me wish I could be there. Other than the passionate fans, I also love all the strategy that goes into the game and that upsets are very possible.
When it comes to this class with Dr. Spencer, I just look to expand my knowledge in sports outside of the United States. To be honest, one of the main reasons I took this class is because she is instructing it. I look forward to learning more about globalization of sports.
With me being a Sport Management major, obviously I have a passion for sports. Growing up I played Soccer, ran Cross-Country, and Track. The sports that I enjoy watching are: Football, Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball. Whether it is at the professional level or the collegiate level, I enjoy sports.
With this class being all about global sports, the one event I would desperately love to attend would be the World Cup. However, I am not just saying that because I still have World Cup fever from this past summer. I enjoy the game of soccer and having played it all my life here in America, and then watching countries all across the world show their passion for soccer just makes me wish I could be there. Other than the passionate fans, I also love all the strategy that goes into the game and that upsets are very possible.
When it comes to this class with Dr. Spencer, I just look to expand my knowledge in sports outside of the United States. To be honest, one of the main reasons I took this class is because she is instructing it. I look forward to learning more about globalization of sports.
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