By Brittany Burke
While I would normally spend my time and space in this column droning on and on about the nonsense I see from some of the most outrageous female fans roaming the stands at sports games, this week I’ve decided to be a bit more productive and give advice rather than a catty one liner.
It is true that most fan girls break a lot of the common sense game rules; there are other fans that happen to be just as oblivious to their surroundings. A day at a hockey rink, football stadium or baseball park isn’t just a match, it’s a total experience.
Now let’s be honest, we’ve all been to a game and have had to deal with a person that makes you wonder why they would even bother to buy tickets. This is because they either show up late, leave early or come to their seats multiple beers in and already slurring their words. Whatever the case may be, they are annoying and distracting to everyone in a 20-foot radius.
So instead of complaining about them, which makes me seem as if I hate everyone (mind you I don’t, I just don’t deal well with senselessness), it is a better use of space to offer ways of how to be a proper fan. Fanaticism 101 if you will.
First things first, show up on time. No, I do not mean tailgating time. I mean it is best to be in your seat prior to the tip off, coin toss, puck drop or first pitch. There is nothing worse than trying to watch the start of the game from your chair and being blocked by a random fan’s backside as they shuffle in front of you.
Granted, that is a pain at any point in time, and albeit sometimes unavoidable but it should be kept to a minimum, which brings me to suggestion number two. Fans should stay in their seats. Is it really necessary to get up every five minutes? Is stadium food and beer really worth missing the majority of the game? So try to keep the food and bathroom breaks to half time and intermissions.
When I was thinking about what to write fort this week the first things that came to mind were the Bruins playoff commercials featuring a giant bear and fan who was breaking a common rule. One of the funnier ones happened to be instructing the fans not to leave the game early to beat the traffic.
Staying for the game’s entirety is just as important as getting to your seat on time. The most exciting time of the game is the end, unless it’s a blowout, so why would you want to leave early? Suck it up and prepare yourself for the hour and a half of traffic that lay ahead of you.
All in all buy a watch, show up on time and remember you are not the only one in the stands. Enjoy the game and try to be considerate of everyone else around you, even the opposing drunk fan to your left.