By Doug Smith
Last month I left a game early after receiving a sharp rebuke from an athletic director who publicly accused me of bad sportsmanship.
I had observed, privately, that the visiting team had an inexperienced outfielder who would have difficulty tracking a fly ball in a stiff wind (she made the catch).
I was told in no uncertain terms that this violated a conference rule against negative comments. Absurd as that is, it at least emphasized that some schools have a deep concern, almost to the point of obsession, about the image their fans create.
I was as hurt as if I’d been drilled by Randy Johnson and got to thinking about deportment at other collegiate baseball and softball arenas. This does not pertain to such exhortations as, “Whiff this bozo!” or, “C’mon, blue, find the zone!” but actual insults and derision directed personally at players and, conversely, friendly chats with visiting fans.
My verdicts:
• The Good
NCCC SOFTBALL: Niagara County Community College softball loses as often as it wins, but the tone set by coach Bob McKeown should be the template for intercollegiate athletics. It’s like the mother-daughter game at a family reunion.
NU SOFTBALL: Loud, enthusiastic and predominately positive (the protest over a key call versus Canisius two weeks ago was an understandable exception). Grill chefs hand-deliver hot dogs to visitors. Now THAT’S a welcome mat!
BUFF STATE SOFTBALL: The Bengals’ diamond sits amid a valley of Buffalo State buildings in an authentic collegiate atmosphere. With many of the games played at odd hours, there’s a trench camaraderie among a throng of enthusiastic and appreciative fans.
• The Bad
CANISIUS SOFTBALL: The worst. Old fuddy-duddy Base Paths cringes at hearing a well-organized cadre of adult males taunt females, most of whom could climb the fence and give them the thrashing they deserve. Even on the road, enough Canisius fans set a standard for crabbiness to spoil it for the civil majority. With a model program and exemplary coach, Canisius should proactively remove this stain.
CANISIUS BASEBALL: Pretty much the same as softball, but at least they’re picking on someone their own size. The hubbub during the 24-8 rout of St. Bonaventure was particularly loathsome. Again, a lot of good folks are drowned out.
NU BASEBALL: Just barely. Niagara promotes a nice atmosphere but too often a dozen or so party boys stagger in making vacuum cleaner noises. These aren’t fans; they think the infield fly rule means check your zipper. But they drown out decency and many visitors unfairly call Niagara fans “the worst in the MAAC.”
• The Indifferent
UB SOFTBALL: In the shadow of football, UB softball has the coolest stadium around, but not even the announcing staff seems to much care, ignoring the common niceties. It’s tough to get revved up when you win this infrequently.
UB BASEBALL: The clumsy design of the Audubon complex discourages fan participation. Best thing about going to a UB conference game is the demeanor of visiting fans in colorful garb, ready to tailgate and talk real baseball at the drop of a pencil.
• Postponed
NCCC BASEBALL: Base Paths adds condolences to the Trailblazers in their recent team tragedy. In that context, fan manners seem irrelevant.
Chin up! Play ball!
Signal Base Paths via pollyndoug@hotmail.com.
