Written by I have thought of doing this for literally YEARS. In fact, KL and I have discussed the possibility that it would be a great marketing idea for the Metrodome to do Twins roster baseball cards with the players on the front and a commandment on the back! Yeah, we aren’t in the Dome anymore so we thought, “what a great way to kick off a new park – make sure people know how to behave…” That doesn’t seem to be a focus for the facility folk at this point. They might have a few other things that are more important to think about though. And then the girls over at Babes Love Baseball did a post on baseball etiquette. They are nice girls and really presented a way to make everyone’s overall ballpark experience more pleasant.
Let’s be honest here. I’m not that “nice”. I mean it. I’m regularly tempted to slap someone at each and every baseball game I attend. (I don’t because that would break several commandments) But as one fan to another, seriously, there are things you should know!!! I’ll get lots of arguments from people who LIKE to break certain commandments. You know who you are. You know deep in your baseball heart that you are going to a place that others wouldn’t – all our actions are choices at that point. But know that we know that you know!
Baseball Game 10 Commandments
- Thou shalt respect thy team.
I’m a firm believer in the concept of ‘praise in public, criticize in private’ although I will admit that even I occasionally get caught up in a moment involving a little brother. Still…
The first and foremost commandment is Respect Your Team!! You are there to see baseball with hopefully a large number of others. This is a privilege! Privileges can be lost when they are not earned. All other commandments stem from this concept. Pay attention to the game. Cheer your team’s players – even if you do not particularly like that one guy. DO NOT BOO YOUR OWN TEAM. Leave that for the fans of the visiting team. If you must comment on the particular failings of a player – and we all have them – bring someone to the game with you to share that with in a quiet conversation. The general public doesn’t care about your opinion. If you REALLY think the general public needs to know something that only you know, there are innumerable blogs, twitter, Facebook or wherever with which to do so.
This turned out to be an IMMENSE post so I divided it into parts for better absorbtion. Please, watch for the continuing installments and contribute your thoughts!
There are two things I can think of off-hand that are “acceptable” to boo: opposing pitchers throwing to first too many times, and umpires on bad calls–whether right or wrong.
I’m excited about this. I really hope you include my favorite commandment, which is staying in your seat while the game is being played.
The prohibition on booing is specifically limited to your OWN team. Obviously, your team is always on the field when an occasion arises that requires a negative commentary on the opposing team or some other activity on the field.
And yes, that will be commandment #3, Beth, so keep watching!
Babs – I love your blog. Really, lets be honest, I love nearly all the Twins blogs. But I’m going to have to call B.S. on this first commandment.
Unfortunately (for Twins following purposes) I live in CO so I don’t get to Twins home games very often. CAN’T WAIT to see Target Field this summer.
However, I have to say, it is absolutely within the rights of the paying ticket holder to boo their own team. I don’t. Well, okay, I have in a few select instances. And I will again if I feel like it. I respect the Twins GREATLY. But I don’t see the connection between booing them if the situation calls for it and disrespecting them. There is no other outlet to express my dislike of their performance – there is no “private” forum to criticize them. I can’t go have a chat with Gardy when he insists on putting the wrong hitter in the lineup. I can’t go have a chat with Gomez (Honestly? I miss him. He sure was entertaining.) when he swings away. So I’m going to boo if I feel like it, and definitely don’t agree that it’s disrespecting them.
All that said, I don’t seem to have ANY reasons to boo them lately!!! GO TWINS!!!
CJ, you are welcome to consider this blog your private place to make whatever comments you need – we even have gamechats with regular debates – even if you aren’t actively watching the game, we’ll be more than happy to chat with you and give you a little Twins fix. The chats are a primarily populated by non-minnesota residents actually so you will feel right at home.
And if it gives you an excuse to NOT boo your team in public, all the better!
Of course, as I said in the intro, some people just LOVE breaking certain commandments and there is no way to change behaviors they enjoy! *GRIN*
I have only booed a Twins player once while I was at a game. Marty Cordova. He was playing LF and a ball was hit his direction and he didnt hustle to get the ball and ended up a double. it was a routine flyball.