12/18/24
December 03, 2006
I Won't Stand for That: While attending the ACC Championship game with my son yesterday, we saw two big arguments started because of fans who wouldn't sit down. What's the sportiquette?
posted by rcade to navel gazing at 11:04 AM - 17 comments
I think that if you want to "sit" to watch an entire game, you should stay at home on the couch or armchair. I think fans should be "active" participants in the game ... it's what makes the live game experience fun--for fans and the athletes. Especially in the high-priced sections of stadiums/arenas ... loosen up folks ... get off your butts and "get into the game!"
posted by Spitztengle at 11:46 AM on December 03, 2006
How is standing all the time more exciting than jumping up in response to big plays and tense moments? Seems arbitrary to me.
posted by rcade at 12:13 PM on December 03, 2006
I more or less agree with spitzengle on this. Oh, and the concept of "high-priced" sections of stadia bothers me. And I certainly don't care what someone else paid when they claim that gives them the right to sit/stand/breakdance. Supporters cheers, jump, shout, stand, etc. I am interested in European members opinions on this.
posted by scully at 12:17 PM on December 03, 2006
I'd like to see arenas experiment with designated sitting/standing sections. I'd certainly always opt for standing...
posted by tieguy at 01:29 PM on December 03, 2006
How does standing make you more of a fan? Rcade says the one guy was standing but not cheering. I guess the logic is, the opposing team has third and 4 and the QB gets distracted by the guy in section 102 who's standing up? They should have the student sections and the alumni/old folks section. I used to stand all the time, and would actually squeeze into the student section to do so. Then one year, my knees hurt so bad by halftime I went back to my other seats and enjoyed using my ass. It's called getting old. Tough call though in a neutral site. I would be respectful of the people behind me. If I could sit and still see the game, I'd sit. But, obviously, if people are standing in front of me, then I have to stand to see. But I assume that's a given in this discussion. There are times you want to stand, crucial third downs late in the game, etc. But on 2nd and 4 from the opposing 35 yard line, I think you can be seated. I guess my angle is just have some respect. You can be just as loud sitting down.
posted by SummersEve at 01:54 PM on December 03, 2006
The question is: What's the sportiquette [of standing vs. sitting during a game]? I think SummersEve has your answer: I would be respectful of the people behind me. Perfect. I like to stand during hockey games, so I always try to score back row seats. If I can't, I'm forced to go with the flow of the folks around me. Which is fine, really.
posted by NoMich at 02:05 PM on December 03, 2006
yeah, to be clear ... I don't mean that standing all the time makes you a better fan. What I mean is that responding to big plays and tense moments is an opportune time to jump up, stand, hoot & holler, whatever ... without being unduly disrespectful to anyone around/behind you.
posted by Spitztengle at 03:16 PM on December 03, 2006
Speaking as someone who is in a wheelchair, I say: SIT THE HELL DOWN! Actually, I think you should just use your common sense and look around to see what everyone else is doing. Don't stand up if the people behind you are sitting down. And stadium designers should pay more attention to wheelchair sections. Some stadiums have them at the front, with no seats ahead of them, but some have them higher up in the middle of the stand. Invariably, that means the person in front jumps up whenever something exciting happens, and I can't see the damn thing I just paid £40 to see. It's fairly annoying.
posted by afx237vi at 03:35 PM on December 03, 2006
I think I'm more or less with Seve on this one as well, but I would break it down like this: If you're at a college event, and you are in the student section, you are in Rome, my friend, and you had better be willing to do what the fine inhabitants of that city are doing, or lump it. Anywhere else at any venue, I think the etiquette is dictated by the game situation. Certainly, there are appropriate times to get up and get excited, and I don't think I need to point out what those are. Standing through the whole game is rude unless, like NoMich suggested, you are in the back row. There is no point to it, and while I will not throw the beer on you myself, I will encourage others around me to do it. I'm not wasting my beer, but for the love of civility, there are people behind you. This is kind of a hot button point for me, because it fringes on some real pet peeves: == The wave is annoying. It is played out, stupid, pointless, and inconsiderate of people who brought their brains to the game. Please stop. (I'm looking at you, Fenway Park.) == Hey, guy in the front row who stands, turns to the crowd and gestures for everyone to stand with you -- it's the first period/second quarter/third inning. Shut up. I will stand when I want to stand, and this early in the game that will be for the Star Spangled Banner, to get the attention of vendors of food and beer, and to applaud the guy who just pantsed you so you would sit down. == I have missed my last classic sports moment by letting some jerk pass by me in the row to go to take a call on his cellphone. Your call can wait. I don't care if it's your boss, your ride, or the call of nature -- you are not passing in front of me until there is a break in the action. My breaking point was having a guy jump up and down on my foot from the excitement of a third period game-tying goal while I was looking at the back of his Members Only jacket while letting him through the row. Please pick appropriate moments to leave your seat. Thank you. On preview: afx237vi, I totally agree with you about the wheelchair seating. I have been to parks where I passed a wheelchair section and wondered what they were thinking. I think a lot of older parks here in the states were forced to add the seating after the fact, and just threw them in where they had space. In some places it's just embarrassing. However, I do disagree with your judgment that you should see what people behind you are doing before you jump up. There are some moments which even the moderately knowledgeable fan should know that it is appropriate to get up and get excited. I think it is enough to have that bar set at a reasonable level (not for every single complete pass or base hit, etc.).
posted by BullpenPro at 04:04 PM on December 03, 2006
I'd like to see arenas experiment with designated sitting/standing sections. Major League Soccer teams generally have supporter sections with all standing and lots of singing and stuff. I prefer standing if it is available. you are not passing in front of me until there is a break in the action. I strongly support this. Stadium security guards, ushers, and vendors should encourage this, and stadiums should make announcements. All American sports will have a stoppage within a few minutes. Wait til then. I'm amazed at how ignorant people are to the fact that people are there to watch a game.
posted by Aardhart at 04:17 PM on December 03, 2006
The real problem I have with courtesy is people holding up signs. I was unable to see the majority of the celebration at home plate when the Tiger's won the World Series becuase some dumbass in front of me was holding up a crappy homemade sign. Signs are fine and dandy if there is nothing going on, but when something is going on I enjoy seeing it.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:25 PM on December 03, 2006
Oh, that's a good one YYM. One other I just thought of: umbrellas at a sporting event are your way of saying that everyone sitting three feet from you in every direction deserves to get soaking wet more than you do. Put the umbrellas away. If you want to stay dry, stay home.
posted by BullpenPro at 04:34 PM on December 03, 2006
I'm with the consensus on this one - respect, but try and find the part of the stadium where you can do the thing you want to do. I go to A-League games regularly, and would prefer to stand with the (singing) home fans behind the northern goal. However, when my kids come, we end up sitting down along the side. Which is OK, as most people are sitting as well and the kids still get a good view. I also don't like people pushing past once the game has started (what else did they come for?), but my biggest peeve is when I sit near idiots who don't shut up about everything else in their friggin' life except the game that they are supposed to be watching. Jesus, that's annoying.
posted by owlhouse at 06:28 PM on December 03, 2006
One other I just thought of: umbrellas at a sporting event are your way of saying that everyone sitting three feet from you in every direction deserves to get soaking wet more than you do. Or bring a cheap, easy to obtain, plastic bag poncho.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:32 PM on December 03, 2006
You are such a fashion plate.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 05:41 AM on December 04, 2006
Three Tech fans standing in the early first quarter. An older Tech fan yells at them, and one climbs two rows to yell back. Older fans move. I think I am fine with the first situation. Standing up is perfectly acceptable behavior at a football game. I get frustrated when people always think that everyone around them should cede to their wishes/comforts. You should know when you buy your tickets that some people around you may choose to stand or yell or whatever else is acceptable behavior. If you don't like that possibility, it is best to watch the game from home. Further, standing at college games is a given unless you happen to be on the alumni side. One Wake fan stands the first three quarters, alone. Oddly, he never cheers. When he sits down in the fourth, another older fan yells at him. He stands back up, then his friends make him sit. This guy sounds weird. Perhaps there was some big hair, hat, or foul smell that propelled him to stand up.
posted by bperk at 11:48 AM on December 04, 2006
The incidents: Three Tech fans standing in the early first quarter. An older Tech fan yells at them, and one climbs two rows to yell back. Older fans move. One Wake fan stands the first three quarters, alone. Oddly, he never cheers. When he sits down in the fourth, another older fan yells at him. He stands back up, then his friends make him sit. I don't get the logic of standing the whole game in a high-priced section of sitters. But if you make your stand, I think you're obligated to stand by your principles the entire game. And standing without cheering is weird.