Sports create connections for both athletes and spectators

Let us clarify at the outset that I am not about to compete with our premier Cape Gazette sports columnists and others whose expertise deals with competitive events. I am not even close to them in acumen or knowledge of our local or national sports scene, or fishing or gaming activities. What I shall attempt, however, is an exploratory treatise with respect to our absolute fascination with these games of skill and endurance. Yes, why are we so enthralled with two groups of participants moving some type of sphere from one end of a field to another, or spreading a rounded or curved object among various places on a grass or dirt surface? In the spirit of full disclosure, yours truly was never a participant in any competitive game involving teams. The closest I came was a radio broadcast booth in The Bronx, New York, for basketball and baseball coverage in the mid-1960s.

To return to the subject matter at hand, what is our fascination with such rapt attention to the outcome of all these games wherein prowess and precision are the hallmarks of the women and men (and boys and girls) who participate therein? We can start with our local competitions which involve our children and our neighbor’s children for at least 10 months in any given year! Many of these rivalries date back decades and are steeped in memorable, outstanding moments of the ancestors. So many of us seem to recall vividly when granddad scored that touchdown in Seaford or at Caesar Rodney! And similar numbers of us attend the annual commemoration of the particular sporting event. What drives our interest therein? Is it the revival of the past, or the proclamation of the present? Who knows? We just pack our snacks and other refreshments, along with family members, and off we go to support Todd and Meghan on a cold (or hot) afternoon or evening. What is even more interesting at times is that our favorite niece or nephew may be a member of the opposing team.

Our enthusiasm is further challenged when we decide to spend time and money to watch the professional athletes compete in one or more of these weekend competitions. I must admit that I am motivated by the entertainment provided by these talented millionaires as they take to the court or the field to play their games. Yes, these are merely games, involving more dollars than we can even begin to perceive. What causes this attention on our part? It may be, as stated, the entertainment value such as an opera or Broadway show might provide, but I suspect we are dealing with different and separate audiences. Over the many decades I have observed sports, the best I am able to surmise is that we love to watch something we cannot do, although many are quick to criticize the coach or the quarterback or the tight end or the referee for an error which may have been committed by this fellow human. The spectators, I suspect since they have some type of investment in the contest, feel an integral part of the play-by-play and thus the right to comment and criticize. It is interesting to note the nature of our commentary about a game, which unfortunately sometimes borders on the profane. Recently, however, both the fans and a sports league were given and took the opportunity to display pure humanity. Thank you No. 3, Damar Hamlin, for such courage and bravery! Indeed, “We All Won.”

To return for a moment to the local student contests, there are those who participate in spectating with vim and vigor, especially if the team roster lists a player with the spectator’s last name. Somehow, somewhere, the game official needs glasses, bifocals, both, and a copy of the rule book. Let us keep in mind that the young man or young lady will be returning home from the field with the adult parent to dinner and PJs, and hopefully even a hug, devoid of “When I was in high school” comments to stain the experience for all concerned.

We enjoy our sports whether a vested interest exists or not. The games (and they are just games) are exciting and fun and enjoyable. These sports may engender within the observer a sense of pride and connection, a reason for being and moving forward. They bring us to the arena to enjoy the proceedings with others, whether sharing our feelings for the outcome or not. We have experienced a coming-together moment, which is always good for both the body and the soul.