In class today we discussed how Borgmann was a fan of baseball. In comparisons to the modern day form of the sport versus the 1940’s version, the rules are generally the same, but everything surrounding the game has changed drastically. If you attend a Reds game, it often seems as if the game is in the background of everything else. With events such as the Kiss Cam or picking if Mr. Red can beat Rosie the Red in a video race; it seems the sport is lost. If you are a baseball fan or just a sports fan in general, I would highly suggest going to either Fenway Park or Wrigley Field. I’m sure Borgmann would greatly approve of the atmosphere at both of these ballparks. In fact, the main scoreboards at both of the stadiums are not digital, something that really adds to the essence of the game.
As was discussed in class, with Free Agency now, a player is a consumer item. It would be unbelievable to picture players such as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio or Mickey Mantle in any other uniforms that their respective teams that they played for. Now, players like Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez are not really known for the jersey that they wore for all those years, but as individuals. It also seems clear that with the advancement of Performance Enhancing Drugs, that the game is watered down and the fans don’t really care as much as they did in the 40’s and 50’s.
1 comment:
I am a huge baseball and would agree with Borgmann. Though there has always been a huge emphasis on technology for much of my life, I have never really paid much attention to that at games. Frankly, I find it annoying when there are so many flashing lights across from me on the scoreboard. I do enjoy being able to see who is up at bat and and their stats, especially when I'm further up in the ballpark, but that is something that I can easily look up on the programs or print off the morning of the game. I have been to Fenway Park for a game and the experience is so much different than that of a Reds game. Generally, the people are there to enjoy the game and cheer on their beloved Red Sox. The Green Monster, the stadium scoreboard, has become an icon in ballpark history. It is sad to think that most young baseball today do not know how to read a box score and rely on an electronic scoreboard or ESPN or the internet to get their baseball facts. Most fans probably would not even know how to read a baseball card.
As for the steroid involvement in baseball, I believe it became a real problem because of the fans. People wanted to see players smash the ball out of the park or splinter a bat. It's exciting and makes for a entertaining game. But at the same, some of the basics of the sports ahve been lost. Base running is still valued, but players such as David Ortiz or Mark Teixeira or Albert Pujols all contribute to the long ball game. They do have other talents in their respective position, but they are used for their hitting skills. It seems a let down to fans if there isn't at least one home run in a game. I do enjoy watching the home runs, especially the ones that win a game, but it is much more interesting to watch people take a risk and steal a base or get stuck in a pickle. Technology has had a huge impact on sports, especially baseball, and it is not necessarily a good one.
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