CarlCaranskiShift
01-28-2007, 12:22 PM
This is part a question, part a rant.
I have only been to a few other ML ballparks besides Coors Field. Dodger Stadium, Candlestick, Pet Co, Angels, and Wrigley. In my opinion, Coors is as nice as any. On a trip to Wrigley last year I was reminded of the biggest difference, the fans.
Colorado fans just aren't as savvy and knowledgeable about baseball as they are elsewhere. The Cubs were 20 games back in the cellar with two weeks to go in the season, and the fans were in on every pitch. I'm not talking just rabid stupidity like you see out of New York, but really into it. I notice in other parks a huge difference in the type of people that go to the games. I know I'm generalizing here, but bear with me.
In Colorado, going to the Rockies games has always been a place to be seen, not watch a ball game. We've all had to endure being seated around a group of 20 somethings, trying to impress their friends, blathering away on cell phones, talking during the entire game about anything but baseball. I also see people taking their very young kids and wives who really have no interest in being there. I've done it myself. After 10+ trips up and down the isle for dip and dots, cotton candy, potty breaks, and to the playground, it's impossible for me, or anyone around me, to watch the game. I've also noticed the worse your seats, the more likely the crowd around you is to be more hard-core baseball fans. Down low is often date night. I just haven't seen this type of Baseball culture to the same degree elsewhere.
The Rockies don't help much either. At Wrigley for example, they aren't incessantly blasting pop dance music through the PA. They don't do the "Da da da da Ta da...Charge!" thing in the 1st inning, they wait until it really matters. There aren't all the silly little graphics and contests on the big screen. It's all about the game. There aren't the distractions, and it forces you to watch the game more closely, and be a better fan. At Dodger stadium, it's part of the culture to bring a radio, not headphones. You can always count on hearing the sultry tones of Vin Scully bouncing around the park. It draws you in, helps you watch and learn. I've tried it at Coors, and I could tell it bugs the others around me. There is just to much PA noise for it to really work.
Maybe it's because we lack the history. Probably part of it. But I think Colorado just doesn?t have a baseball culture. Due in part to the weather, it's just not as big here for kids as it is elsewhere. I would contend that unless you've played the game at some level, it's hard to really appreciate it's complexities.
One thing I would like to see is a grumpy old mans section. They have a "no beer, families only section". How about a place with no dates, wives and kids where you could light up a stogie, drink a beer, swear a little at the umpire, and actually watch a ball game?
I have only been to a few other ML ballparks besides Coors Field. Dodger Stadium, Candlestick, Pet Co, Angels, and Wrigley. In my opinion, Coors is as nice as any. On a trip to Wrigley last year I was reminded of the biggest difference, the fans.
Colorado fans just aren't as savvy and knowledgeable about baseball as they are elsewhere. The Cubs were 20 games back in the cellar with two weeks to go in the season, and the fans were in on every pitch. I'm not talking just rabid stupidity like you see out of New York, but really into it. I notice in other parks a huge difference in the type of people that go to the games. I know I'm generalizing here, but bear with me.
In Colorado, going to the Rockies games has always been a place to be seen, not watch a ball game. We've all had to endure being seated around a group of 20 somethings, trying to impress their friends, blathering away on cell phones, talking during the entire game about anything but baseball. I also see people taking their very young kids and wives who really have no interest in being there. I've done it myself. After 10+ trips up and down the isle for dip and dots, cotton candy, potty breaks, and to the playground, it's impossible for me, or anyone around me, to watch the game. I've also noticed the worse your seats, the more likely the crowd around you is to be more hard-core baseball fans. Down low is often date night. I just haven't seen this type of Baseball culture to the same degree elsewhere.
The Rockies don't help much either. At Wrigley for example, they aren't incessantly blasting pop dance music through the PA. They don't do the "Da da da da Ta da...Charge!" thing in the 1st inning, they wait until it really matters. There aren't all the silly little graphics and contests on the big screen. It's all about the game. There aren't the distractions, and it forces you to watch the game more closely, and be a better fan. At Dodger stadium, it's part of the culture to bring a radio, not headphones. You can always count on hearing the sultry tones of Vin Scully bouncing around the park. It draws you in, helps you watch and learn. I've tried it at Coors, and I could tell it bugs the others around me. There is just to much PA noise for it to really work.
Maybe it's because we lack the history. Probably part of it. But I think Colorado just doesn?t have a baseball culture. Due in part to the weather, it's just not as big here for kids as it is elsewhere. I would contend that unless you've played the game at some level, it's hard to really appreciate it's complexities.
One thing I would like to see is a grumpy old mans section. They have a "no beer, families only section". How about a place with no dates, wives and kids where you could light up a stogie, drink a beer, swear a little at the umpire, and actually watch a ball game?