A better sports fan

Call them fans, call them overindulgence, but one thing is clear: You know which team you support, win or lose. These sports fans know the game and the franchise behind the game very well. They show their team allegiance in their cars, trucks, homes, offices, desks, and even on their computers. They follow every move from the general manager’s desk to the clubhouse worker. Knowledge and mastery of the game is crucial for you to enjoy it. Does it matter what game? No, the game can be auto racing, baseball, basketball, cycling, soccer, ice hockey, track and field, soccer, softball, tennis, or many other organized sports. The game can be one of those or a combination of sports. The true sports fan is emotional, passionate, and knowledgeable about their chosen sport, and they share the excitement of it with all who come into contact with them.

The task of becoming a better sports fan is easier than one might think. In this world of the Internet and thousands of television channels, the information one is looking for about a favorite team or sport is easily at one’s fingertips. Every professional team has a website, and all colleges have websites with information on all of their sports. You will understand the politics of the sport by visiting and reading about the inner workings of the franchise or sponsoring organization. Immerse yourself in the sport as if you were studying the stock market, real estate options, mutual funds, bonds, and other efforts to save/make money. Delve into the information available and discover what is happening in the organization.

The next component to being a better sports fan is allowing your passions to flow. If you are passionate about a sport, then show it. I understand that there are people who like to watch a sport, but sit quietly while good plays are executed and scores are made. Learn about the players who are making those plays and scoring those scores. The information you seek is available and let your passion flow to the surface. You will find that the game becomes more fun.

I’ve been watching NFL football this year. I don’t have a favorite team; however, I have a few teams that I will root against. Last year I watched the Super Bowl and I hadn’t seen any team play all year. I had no idea who would win. In fact, I didn’t even care. I would be happy with either team winning. This year when the season started, I started to think how much more enjoyable the Super Bowl would be if I had at least seen some of the teams in action. Now the playoffs are here, and I’m watching the games and rooting for some of the teams. Mind you, I still don’t have a favorite team; I started thinking about becoming a fan of a favorite team. Which team would it be? How would you go about choosing a favorite team? If I choose a team, would it be one that I could watch on TV from time to time, or one that I could afford to attend an actual live game? I found more questions than answers.

When these questions entered my mind, I thought of my favorite sport, baseball. Does anyone know that I follow a particular team? No, not unless you know me very well. Reflecting on choosing a favorite team, I thought of my beloved Chicago Cubs. How can I enjoy them more? We all know that they rarely produce a winning team. OMG! The answer is in front of me and all I have to do is use the tips of my fingers. I have access to the Internet. I can find out right now what is happening to my team. Am I ashamed to be a Cubs fan? (The Cubs aren’t known for their winnings.) No, I just keep my passions inside me. What if I became a passionate and honest Chicago Cubs baseball fan? I am going to find out, I am visiting your internet website weekly and sometimes daily and have even subscribed to your newsletter. I am allowing my passions to surface. I am looking for available information to guide my understanding of the game and the organization.

The other sport that I have been following closely is cycling. Information about cycling is available through magazines and internet websites. I am disappointed with cycling at the moment. The guys I follow are being accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. Yes, these drugs are also prevalent in other sports, but those people are not being singled out as much as the cyclist. Since I closely follow cycling on the internet, I should be able to transfer my information-seeking skills and strategies to other sports and other teams. Also, I usually only see cycling on TV in the summer. There is always a football, basketball, baseball, and soccer game being shown on TV.

I choose to explore my passions, and soon I will be choosing a professional soccer team to follow and support while playing. I’ve narrowed it down to about four teams. One thing is for sure, I enjoyed watching the playoffs and I know I will enjoy watching the Super Bowl. I will let my passions flow at the time of the Super Bowl because I will have seen all the teams play and I will find a team that I like more than the other. Sit back and learn the game, from waterboy or hitter to general manager or athletic director. Knowing the organization and the team members will make you a better fan and you will enjoy the game with passion.