tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post112031997549825946..comments2024-03-22T07:12:47.560-07:00Comments on Pitchpull: Professional SportsGreybeardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11919862790973521778noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-1120484789160115662005-07-04T06:46:00.000-07:002005-07-04T06:46:00.000-07:00I've watched fans from pro teams get wound up whil...I've watched fans from pro teams get wound up while watching winning seasons unfold, and I can understand a part of that. There is no question that you are watching the "pinnacle" of performance with the pros, but here is what troubles me......<BR/>Some years back, I adopted a certain second baseman as my favorite player. He was a class act......good all-around player, and a gentleman off the field. I read all I could read about him and took pride when he made "the impossible play".<BR/><BR/>Two years later, he was traded. <BR/>Two years after that, he was on the team that beat my team in the world series!<BR/><BR/>Pro sports are a business, and the players are cogs in the machines of that business.<BR/><BR/>High schoolers play to win for their communities. If you follow the team, you know the struggles these kids have sometimes had to even be on the field. They WILL NOT be playing for the team that beats you in a tournament in two years!<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry for you pro hockey fans. It has to be a terrific disappointment to be deprived of something you really enjoy, and in such a way that you're not sure it will even return, (although I think you're mistaken about it being "gone, gone, gone".....there is too much money out there in facilities and other franchise property to never play hockey again.) But I think hockey is an indicator of the problem that all pro sports have. <BR/>Pro hockey will be dramatically changed when it does return, and I think the sport will be healthier for it!Greybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11919862790973521778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12452759.post-1120415298273403542005-07-03T11:28:00.000-07:002005-07-03T11:28:00.000-07:00I never before understood the American enthusiasm ...I never before understood the American enthusiasm for high school and college level sports. You just made it make sense.<BR/><BR/>I only watch hockey--which means I don't watch any pro sports, because hockey is gone gone gone--and they don't have that at the highschool level because schools don't have their own ice rinks. At the university level it can be good, but it's not NHL good. I watch it for the timing, the teamwork, the excitement of the game. And it's fun when the whole community identifies with a team and comes together to cheer for it. Like hen you don't have the TV on but you know your team scored because every house on the block is full of screaming people.Aviatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634111275860140084noreply@blogger.com