Missing in action: sportsmanship and manners
It seems that the word "sportsmanship" has no meaning anymore.
It seems "manners" doesn't either.
It would be bad enough if the past two statements only had bearing in the sports world, where a lack of sportsmanship has been clearly seen in a number of incidents over the past couple of months, but it seems to be a thing with the fans as well.
Last Thursday I had the opportunity to relax and cover the Mike Schmidt Charity Golf Tournament.
Golf is a sport that is deeply rooted in traditional sportsmanship, a sport of gentlemen and ladies.
Imagine the shock of many of those present when fans continued loud conversations through tee-offs and putts, including one man who criticized the play of the president of the Professional Golf Association, no less.
One only has to watch golf once on television to understand that quiet is the rule during putts and tee-shots.
But one would assume a fan would realize everyone around him were shutting their traps and get the hint that maybe, just maybe, he should too.
After all, it doesn't take a brainchild, does it?
And golf isn't the only sport where this has become evident. A couple of weeks ago, a father took his young son to the Reading Phillies over the holiday for an old fashioned "day at the ballpark."
Or so he probably thought. Instead, he was treated to the drunken obscenities of the "gentleman" seated next to him.
If that father and his son -- or any fan for that matter -- had wished for that "atmosphere," perhaps they would have gone to the local bar and questioned the manhood of the biggest, toughest guy in the joint instead of going out to the old ballyard.
But by that time I guess our drunken friend was beyond distinguishing bars from ballparks... or his head from a hole in the ground.
Maybe I'm the problem. For some reason, my parents felt and tried to teach me that manners were important, and I see no reason to dispute their judgment.
I strive to be as polite as possible in any given situation, making sure I don't do things people might find offensive.
I found out that there are two basic rules for public behavior:
Of course, reading might be beyond the comprehension of our two exampled friends, but I thought that was the purpose of "Golden Books" and the "Weekly Reader."
In the old days (my word, am I actually getting old enough to say that?!?) it seems people went out to sporting events to have a good time watching the game and eating popcorn, peanuts and crackerjack (although this might be a candy-coated version of the past).
Now it looks as though the only way to have a good time is to make a total @$$ out of oneself. Did I miss something? My, these times they are a-changin'.
Let's try to keep the ill manners at home, that's what they gave you potato chips, the couch and the boob-tube for.
And when they let Mr. Wild and Crazy Fan out of the cage, let's hope he remembers fans can practice sportsmanship, too.
It seems that the word "sportsmanship" has no meaning anymore.
It seems "manners" doesn't either.
It would be bad enough if the past two statements only had bearing in the sports world, where a lack of sportsmanship has been clearly seen in a number of incidents over the past couple of months, but it seems to be a thing with the fans as well.
Last Thursday I had the opportunity to relax and cover the Mike Schmidt Charity Golf Tournament.
Golf is a sport that is deeply rooted in traditional sportsmanship, a sport of gentlemen and ladies.
Imagine the shock of many of those present when fans continued loud conversations through tee-offs and putts, including one man who criticized the play of the president of the Professional Golf Association, no less.
One only has to watch golf once on television to understand that quiet is the rule during putts and tee-shots.
But one would assume a fan would realize everyone around him were shutting their traps and get the hint that maybe, just maybe, he should too.
After all, it doesn't take a brainchild, does it?
And golf isn't the only sport where this has become evident. A couple of weeks ago, a father took his young son to the Reading Phillies over the holiday for an old fashioned "day at the ballpark."
Or so he probably thought. Instead, he was treated to the drunken obscenities of the "gentleman" seated next to him.
If that father and his son -- or any fan for that matter -- had wished for that "atmosphere," perhaps they would have gone to the local bar and questioned the manhood of the biggest, toughest guy in the joint instead of going out to the old ballyard.
But by that time I guess our drunken friend was beyond distinguishing bars from ballparks... or his head from a hole in the ground.
Maybe I'm the problem. For some reason, my parents felt and tried to teach me that manners were important, and I see no reason to dispute their judgment.
I strive to be as polite as possible in any given situation, making sure I don't do things people might find offensive.
I found out that there are two basic rules for public behavior:
- 1. Try not to mine Mount Schnoz for mineral resources while out in public...
- If I don't know what the proper behavior is at an event, look it up, read it and learn it.
Of course, reading might be beyond the comprehension of our two exampled friends, but I thought that was the purpose of "Golden Books" and the "Weekly Reader."
In the old days (my word, am I actually getting old enough to say that?!?) it seems people went out to sporting events to have a good time watching the game and eating popcorn, peanuts and crackerjack (although this might be a candy-coated version of the past).
Now it looks as though the only way to have a good time is to make a total @$$ out of oneself. Did I miss something? My, these times they are a-changin'.
Let's try to keep the ill manners at home, that's what they gave you potato chips, the couch and the boob-tube for.
And when they let Mr. Wild and Crazy Fan out of the cage, let's hope he remembers fans can practice sportsmanship, too.