As we leave one century and head to another, a moment of reflection. Sports brings us a range of emotions. Mostly good, but not always. The joy of winning. The disappointment of defeat. The frustration of failure. The exhilaration of a successful effort. We cheer. We boo. But, lately we curse, scream, taunt, call names, throw things and attack athletes and other fans we disagree with. Some fans have become an ugly bi-product of today's sports. For most of the century fans were a civilized group. If you look at film footage of old baseball, football, basketball games, golf tournaments and boxing matches, you'll see the crowd decked out in coats, ties and hats. They dressed well and the fan's actions reflected their dress. Getting drunk at a game was unacceptable conduct. Going to a sporting event was special. It was a chance to support and cheer your team. A chance to appreciate talented athletes and outstanding play.
The media was respectful and confined themselves to reporting on the athletic contest. Personal indiscretions were overlooked. A players salary was his and the team's business. The media reported, they didn't advocate. Radio and television for most of the century merely provided fans with pictures and words about what was happening in the game. The media-print, radio and television- only added to a fan's enjoyment and appreciation for games and those who played them. Fans, sports and athletes shared a special and respectful relationship.
It all changed in the 70's. The introduction of free agency in baseball led to player movement, escalated salaries and fan disillusionment and confusion. Later, basketball, football and hockey players would join the free agent parade. Fans now find themselves caught in a cross fire of emotion. Today's hero is tomorrow's turncoat. But the real firing pin to today's fan anger is what they perceive as athlete greed.
It has manifested itself in two ways. One is an out and out grab for mo money, mo money, mo money. Fans see it as, it's one thing to want to eat everything at the buffet table, but to eat everything and also stuff your pockets is too much. In America we love stars. However, the athlete is a different kind of star. The fan feels closer to the athlete because he or she played the game they play. Another perception is the fan pays the athlete's salary and therefore they should be more respectful of the people who pay them. Put together, when athletes want more and don't respect those who help give it to them, anger is sure to follow. The second manifested way is what the athletes do when they don't get what they want. They strike. Fans can't relate to this. Athletes make more than they ever will for catching a football, hitting a baseball and dribbling a basketball. They should be satisfied with the adulation and fat pay check. To say it's not enough and then punish the fan is the height of arrogance.
The incendiary device in today's volatile sports fire bomb is the media. Already disillusioned, angry and frustrated, the media takes the fans to another level by telling them the athlete on their favorite team is over rated, beats his wife, doesn't deserve the money he's making, is demanding a new contract for more money, wants to be traded to a team where he can win a championship ring or wants to play closer to his family. The sports media, particularly sports talk radio, influences, ignites, sometimes misinforms and adds to the fans frustration and hostility. The only thing left is.......BOOM.......a fan explosion.
What's the answer to fans throwing objects at players, cursing and fighting other fans who support the other team and a general bad feeling about sports? There are two answers. First and foremost, remember it's a business. Enjoy the competition on the field and forget about things you can't control off the field. You have the ultimate weapon on making your feelings known about what you see on the field and what happens off of it. Stop supporting the game. If any other business treated you that way, you wouldn't do business with them. Why not sports? If you bought a lemon from a car dealer, you wouldn't buy that brand of car from that car dealer again. If a movie theater has gum on its seats, you don't go to that theater again. It's usually that simple.
The second thing that would make going to a sporting event more enjoyable for all would be to ban of the sale of alcoholic beverages. I'm no purist. I socially drink. But, the well being of all is more important then the enjoyment of a few. If restaurants and airplanes can ban smoking in order to benefit the many, then alcoholic beverages can be banned at sporting events too. The danger it offers to other fans, players and game officials is too great not to do away with these sales. I've yet to hear a fan say to me the reason they go to a game is to get a beer. If so, then sports has lost its purpose and entertainment value anyway.
As we head into a new century, my hope is that common sense will prevail with fans. In 2000 and beyond, teams will win and lose, players will jump from team to team, salaries will go up, up and up and so will fan costs. If they learn to accept it that way they'll be happier, less agitated and less violent.
I feel better now.
I'm Ron Barr.
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