I was reading something the other day about sports fans and when they like to boo. The article was talking about booing at a high school sporting event, and that got me thinking. When is it OK to boo? Does it matter what age the players, whether it's amateur or professional? Does it depend on the ticket prices?
It's my theory that fans are much quicker to vent their displeasure today than they have ever been at sporting events. Why do you think that is? I can understand the money aspects of it at the major league level, but major league money only applies at the major league level. Do you feel any hestitation booing players who may be making less than you?
Do you find yourself more willing to boo now than you did say five years ago? Do you boo earlier in contests? What does that say about supporting the team?
This also made me think of the things Greg Puhalski went through in Fort Wayne. He won a championship, something only three other coahes ever did here, and had back-to-back 50-win seasons, somethng no one else ever did here, but it's obvious the fans were unhappy. Last year's team finished second and had a winning season, but so many fans were very unhappy. Were they spoiled?
Are you more willing to boo the coach than the players?
Obviously, I don't boo or cheer in the press box, but I can tell you there have been a few times over the years where I've thought if I had paid money to a specific game and was sitting in the stands, I'd probably have been booing as well. In fact, I've been doing this so long it's hard for me to imagine myself getting worked up enough about a sporting event any more to actually boo. It just doesn't mean anything to me, I don't have the emotional attachment.
I also wonder if booing has lost some impact today because it happens so often? What do you think?
Comments
I very rarely boo any Komet player. They are my team and I support them. Some times I might say something like, "What was that?" but I don't consider that booing. I have more respect for my team than to do that. Concerning referees, I yell at them all the time. I always ask if they would like to have my glasses or a copy of the rule book because evidently they can't see or can't read. I do applaud them if they make a good call. I have booed Mr Puhalski, just never cared for him and his coaching ethics with the guys. A little praise every once in a while goes a long way. Regarding the wave, I also hate it. I'm there to watch the game not do the wave. I don't care if we're up 8-2, I still want to watch the game and the wave really annoys me. If you want to wave, go outside and wave at traffic. Not in the coliseum while a game is being played, or do it between periods if you feel you must.
WOW- Chris McAllister just signed with K-Zoo. For those who don't know him, he's a 6'7 240 pound defensman. Tough as nails too.
Geez, sounds like a gorilla. At least he didn't go to Muskegan.
blake, any idea if they are looking at adding anyone else?
Gheesh at one time he was a highly touted Canucks and Leafs prospect. He was always a step too slow for the NHL.
Evidently, they think he's ok for the UHL, huh?
Tony, McAllister did play 10 years in the NHL, yes he was the 5th of 6th defenseman, but that's still pretty good.
He should do well in this league. He certainly will be fast enough for this league.
Gheesh I just heard that Hasek has told the Red Wings that if he is not started he REFUSES to dress as the backup. So they have to carry 3 goalies. Talk about an ego you can float a boat on!
Instead of booing an opponent, I will often call them a "woman."
I tell the ladies around me not to take it personally.
It's just that I think the opponent is something less than a man.
I haven't pulled his stats up but I know he was a healthy scratch many nights. I bet he played an average of 40 games a year or so. In the NHL when you are a step slow it really stands out and teams can easily exploit it. I think at the UHL level he will fit right in. He wasnt a frequent fighter but he would go hard into the corners and boards. Bottom line is, adding a player like this is a good thing for the league both from a talent standpoint as well as adding name recognition.
Where did you hear about Hasek Tony?
Fan590 Toronto hockey show (12-1 daily..available online) Nick Kypreos reported it. That is why Joey MacDonald came in last night when they yanked Osgood.
When the wave starts saturday night, everyone shout out to HIT when they stand up, that many people, you know it is going to happen.
Sorry, not happenen, not a fan of the wave myself.
I guess form Hasek's point of view, if I'm not going to start, why do warm-ups, get warmed-up, then sit for God knows how long, get cold, then risk coming in to get injured. (I can't believe I'm defend this guy, I don't even like Hasek.) As injury prone as Hasek's been over the past few years, I can at least understand why if I don't start I don't dress. Does make a mess out of the roster situation though.
real team player there, must be robertas cousin. as far as the wave goes, if youre stupid enuff to stand up and take your eyes off the action so you can get hit in the face with a puck, then go right ahead and do the stupid thing, but not me.
Pascal is going to have his hands full in this league. What's with all these monsters that are being signed?
I think the only reason Detroit is putting up with it is because Hasek is making $750,000 this year and Macdonald is making next to nothing. So between the two of them and Osgood the 3 of them are making less than alot of starting goalies make by themselves. It also works because Macdonald is not considered to be their goalie of the future (Jim Howard is) so having him "waste" a season playing 30 minutes a month is not going to hurt their long future.
All this being said, there are two teams in the NHL I can't stand. Detroit and Ottawa. If things continue the way they are, neither will make the playoffs.
Don't let my wife hear you say that, Tony. She loves Ottawa. Are you still peeved that Alfredsson got away with that boarding non-call on Darcy Tucker (couldn't of happened to a better guy) a few years back???
All I can say is words cannot express the joy of watching seeing Jason Pominville skate around Alfi like he was a blind grandmother in a wind tunnel and score the shorthanded goal that knocked Ottawa out of the playoffs last year.
Not that I am bitter...;-)
hmmmm...watching..seeing...observing....
beholding....lol I guess I got caught up in the moment just typing it.
So this real bad start the Sens are in isn't making you feel to sorry for them huh. Who else is Toronto going to beat in the play offs, If they make the playoffs ;-)
Please, enough with the Roberta crap.
looks like someone forgot the rules.
REMEMBER, ROBERTA CALLED ME OUT SO ILL NEVER LET IT REST BECAUSE HE WAS A BAFOON N MY OPINION.
he called me out saying how he forgot more aabout fighting than i would ever know which showed his stupidity cause he knew nothing about me, about how i played hockey in college before the stupid cage rule and how brawls at that level were more common than not, how i was disqusted at him for saying in the paper that he was too old to fight and blah blah blah blah. yes he went thru a lot and played hurt and was going to school while trying to practice and everything, but you know what, was he a professional hockey player or wwas he just showing up and expecting everybody to kiss his butt??? i didnt really care if he played bad on a night because he was tired from school or had an injury, well bucko, join the real world where i go to work sick or not cause people depend on me to be there, you play hockey and take a pay check then like anything else yud better put in 100% effort to earn that check. i didnt see that effort and because of that i had no respect for him even tho yu thought he was great blake. take it from someone who played, you wouldnt want him watching your back on your team.
Hello from Fort Wayne! We are very much looking forward to tommorow night.
Greg, in all honesty it is good for hockey to have the Leafs/Sens rivalry be competitive. Especially since the Leafs dont play Detroit in the regular season.
Hello from Lima, we'll be headed into town this afternoon to visit family then head to the game.
Tony- got to see the Leafs play the Jackets last night. Leafs looked good and the jackets looked like a team that had played one game in ten days.
BTW-Quad City will probably be coming into town with a chip on their shoulder.They got pounded by Rockford 6-1 and their goaltender Tapp got pitched near the end. MacIntrye wnet with Big Snake early in the game so I think Quad City might be spoiling for something. I hope the K's will be ready.
Greg lucky you. I would have loved to go to that game but we had football last night. It figures the one time in a couple of years the Leafs come to Ohio where tickets are affordable I had to work lol.
Tonights game will be interesting. As much fun as the pregame stuff is for the fans you never know how the wait after warmups will affect the players. The first 5 minutes may be a bit sloppy as the nerves shed and the legs get moving but I think this is going to be an up tempo game. The Komets need to make a statement at home.
Blake, win or lose, ask coach after the game if Quad City "is who you thought they were"? (Thanks for the laughs Denny Green)
That is a brilliant point Tony...
The Komets do need to make a statement at home as to who they are and what other teams in the league need to expect when they play in Fort Wayne. This is a topic that we all talked in depth about last season and this is something that Bingham advertised when hired. We were told that we should expect a team that will defend their home ice by not being out hustled, out muscled, or out bustled. Tonight, no matter what, we need to see a team that answers the bell and comes out tougher than nails..."this is our house!!!"