Ick’s Corner

So on the heels of a post I did a few days ago about rookie signing bonuses Ive had some other thoughts Id like to share. We have new stadiums getting built all over the country for various teams, each stadium being built bigger and better then the last one. Why? Has this country become so scared of preserving history that it finds the need to tear down stadiums where memories are built? Does anyone remember going to games with their dad, or grandfather? Do you have children? Now ask yourself can you share the same memories with your kids?? How many of us can say to our children “My dad used to bring me to games here, now I’m bringing you to games” Is the stadium even still around? Lajitas and I used to hit several Astros, and Oilers games in the Astrodome (8th wonder of the world). I have so many memories from those days that its not even funny. One memory that sticks out from that chapter in my life.. Eating shelled peanuts and enjoying a game.. only to have to leave early after I cracked open a peanut and got a shell in my eye. Lajitas still laughs about that.. Sure its all fun and games until someone gets a peanut shell in their eye! Now the Astrodome sits there, in major need of repairs, and is only open for various events throughout the year. Sitting in the parking lot right next door.. a shiney 6 year old stadium known as Reliant. Let us also not forget that when a team decides its time to build a new stadium so they can be considered to host a Superbowl, the taxpayers are expected to help pick up the tab. Even if they aren’t a sports fan, or never plan on stepping foot into this new palace. Let us also not forget that no matter how state of art the new stadium is going to be. You can always count on the following to never change.

-The seats are still going to be way to small, and very uncomfortable

-The food is probably going to be of the same quality as the old stadiums, but will be priced on average $2 higher. Raise your hand if you have paid $8 for a timble size cup of beer while watching your favorite team *raises hand*. Kinda reminds me of buying drinks at the shake joint. Way to little, for way to much.

And last but not least

-No matter how big and state of the art your new stadium is.. you can count on your feet sticking to the floor when you go to the bathroom.

Owners and the powers that be seem to think they know what all sports fans want. We obviously want new fancy state of the art stadiums, we must not care about history or memories. Something owners need to realize real quick is MOST fans go to the games for the atmosphere. We don’t go to the games so we can have access to WIFI hot spots to check our email, gourmet foods and various other amenities new stadium’s are being built with. With the way ticket prices are going, the only people left going to games will care about all that. You know the people that go to the game to say *Oh I was at the game yesterday* Oh really?? How did *Player A* do? Who?? *Oh I didn’t pay attention to the game, I was to busy socializing to pay attention*. These are the people that should have the living crap kicked out of them by true fans every chance we get! Now on to the second thing that has been on my mind. Players and owners..

While visiting Springfield my uncle and I were talking about my grandfather not being able to follow baseball much anymore, because he didn’t know any of the players. My uncle asked me to name 5 Astros that were on the team last year, that were still there this year. I couldn’t do it. Player loyalty is non existent in this day and age of free agency. Lajitas and I got to talking about free agency later that evening, he brought up an interesting point. Championships are not earned anymore, they are bought. He made reference to the Celtics when making this point. On that note.. The Celtics Championship cost them $75 million this year. The fans are asked to buy jerseys and various other merchandise to support their favorite players, only to watch either the team deal that player in a trade, or the player hit free agency and go to the highest bidder. (Example) It was announced today that Baron Davis will opt out of his last year with the Warriors, and test free agency. The reason, he is upset the team has made no effort to work out a long term deal with him. He was due $18 million dollars in his final year. Raise your hand if you can’t live on $18 million dollars a year. Hell raise your hand if you can’t live on $500,000 a year. (most leagues minimum salary)

I love my sports, I really do.. I hate the business side of it. The business side of it is what sticks all fans in the wallet. Hey we just signed this player for a bunch of money.. we have to raise the price on everything including ticket prices, parking, concessions, and merchandise. You the fans understand right? If not tough! Deal with it. The owners will start to get the idea when fans are no longer attending games, or buying merchandise. With the cost of living rising daily.. I’m sure fans will choose to live, rather then spending money going to games, and buying stuff.

Thanks for taking the time to read my rant about the state of sports today, please by all means share your thoughts on this..