subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Fri, Jul 10 2009 
Breaking News:  Alcoa presents case for re-licensing to NC Water Resources Committee  July 08, 2009 10:51 am

Published: September 03, 2008 08:31 am    print this story  

When being competitive is not good

By Charles Curcio, Sports Editor

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 We have all witnessed this scene at some point in the stands of a game in Stanly County.

Two fans from opposite sides of the game screaming directly at each other.

I have found myself smack dab in the middle of arguments between parents of kids tossing accusations of crooked referees and dirty play in 15 years as an announcer.

It makes my ears hurt.

One of the problems that we all face in sports is the possibility of being too competitive.

Personally, I get competitive when I find myself in front of the TV with a Wii remote in my hand.

Video games are something that I really enjoy and I admit to playing to win and not being too happy when I lose.

However, maybe we all need to worry about winning a lot less.

I like the idea behind some of the local youth-league soccer matches where sportsmanship and fun are listed as two of the ideals of the league.

I am still haunted by the scene of a mother at a youth baseball game years ago that I was at screaming at her young son for missing the ball behind the plate.

I remember her flopping back into her folding chair with frustration while the kid did nothing wrong except to miss catching a pitch during warmups.

You see people all the time that do nothing but sit and complain at the referees, the coaches, and sometimes no one in particular.

I’m glad that most schools now do not serve drinks in cups anymore.

A fan that I knew when I was in high school would buy a fountain drink, punch out the bottom of the cup when it was empty, and use the cup like a megaphone.

The sad thing was that he was a really nice person when you talked to him somewhere other than during a game.

If the only image of this person that people had was at the game, then clearly they did not know that person.

Fan behavior has become progressively worse, so much so that leagues like the NBA and NFL now monitor the decibel level of music played and the types of sound effects as well.

For example, you are not supposed to put up a message on the Jumbotron in the NFL that says “Make Noise” or “Get Loud”.

NBA franchises like the Bobcats are not allowed to make fun of the opposition when they missed a free throw.

I used to love the old Hornets’ games when someone would miss a free throw for the other team and Samuel L. Jackson’s “did I break your concentration?” clip from “Pulp Fiction” would play.

After the Indiana-Detroit brawl, though, maybe it was time to tone things down a bit.

We should worry much less about competition and more about the good fun that sports is supposed to represent.



Contact Charles Curcio at (704) 982-2121 ext. 12 or email at charles@stanlynewspress.com.

print this story  



Photos


None/ (Click for larger image)

Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

ADVERTISING SALES SPECIALIST
Opening for an Outside Sales Position in our Retail Advertising Sales Department. We have exciting growth plans. The ide...>MORE

HELP WANTED: EXPERIENCED INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE PERSON
Needs good working knowledge of electrical, mechanical and hydraulics. Welding and cutting skills helpful. 2nd shift ava...>MORE

QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS
Monarch needs QDDP's for Stanly and Union Counties. Work with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities in o...>MORE

INSURANCE
Licensed P&C Agent wanted for Stanly County. Fax resume to: 704-292-7372....>MORE

LOCAL BUSINESS: FT/PT WITH EXPERIENCE IN ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING.
Organized and good communicator. Responsible for payroll, invoicing, accts. receivable and payable and other tasks. Comp...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

MOBILE HOME FOR RENT
2 bedroom. Appliances furnished. Rent $325. Deposit $200. No pets. Call 704-983-4075....>MORE

2 BEDROOM REMODELED BRICK HOUSE
Huge fenced yard. Large porch. 520 Waddell Drive. Near Wal-Mart. $600 month/deposit. 704-287-5534....>MORE

NICE LITTLE 1 BEDROOM HOUSE IN COUNTRY.
1 mile north outside city. Deposit and good credit required. $350 month. Call 704-463-5541....>MORE

NEEDED SOMEONE
a few hours a week, to assist with home health care. Call 704-888-8999....>MORE

2 BEDROOM, 1 1/2 BATH
All new house in New London. $700 month. Call 704-982-5000....>MORE

MOBILE HOME FOR RENT
in Triangle Mobile Home Park. $440 + Deposit, water and mowing included. No pets. Call 704-699-5745....>MORE

3 BEDROOM 2 BATH HOUSE
98 Pine Street. Badin. HVAC. Deposit required. $525/month. Call 704-431-8636....>MORE

FOR RENT, 2 BEDROOM, 1 1/2 BA APARTMENT
beside YMCA. $550 rent/deposit. Call 704-983-0936 or 704-982-3656....>MORE

MOTIVATED SELLER!
21+ acres with buildings. Used to be a vet clinic. Zoned for General Business. Water/Sewer at corner of property. A stea...>MORE

LAND OWNERS!
Order a true modular ranch over 1400 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, appliances, freight, crane, installation, interior finis...>MORE

2 ROOMS FOR RENT
with private baths, cable, kitchen/laundry privileges in New London. 704-463-7845....>MORE

3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH, NORWOOD
$650. Porter Hill. 3 BR, 2 BA, Albemarle. $650. References required. No pets. 704-982-4532....>MORE

FOR RENT
Richfield Brick 3 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath, Heat Pump. Quiet neighborhood. $625/month. Deposit. 704-485-4567 or 704-982-8999....>MORE

FOR RENT-2 BEDROOM REMODELED HOME IN NORWOOD
References required. 704-474-4743. Leave message if no answer....>MORE

2 BEDOOM, 1 BATH DUPLEX
All appliances furnished. $575-$600 Month. Highland Avenue, off Salisbury Avenue. Brand new. Quiet neighborhood. Call 70...>MORE

2 BEDROOM APARTMENT
Atkins Street, Norwood. Central heat and air, references required. Call 704-474-7369....>MORE

NEAT ONE BEDROOM, 1 BATH HOME
in Albemarle. References and dep. required. $275 month. Call 704-438-2255....>MORE

COMPLETELY FURNISHED ONE BEDROOM DUPLEX
Quiet country location near Oakboro. Excellent condition. No pets. $450 ref/dep. 704-485-8006....>MORE

2 ROOM EFFICIENCY APARTMENT
Utilities included. 704-986-0641 or 704-984-2890....>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

SHIH TZU, MINI SCHNAUZER
Japanese Chin & Yorkie Pups. Also toy mixes. 9 weeks-6 months. $200-$750. Local, reputable breeder, references available...>MORE

PILLOW TOP MATTRESSES
Both King and Queen Sets. New in original plastic. Can deliver. Q-$199, K-$299. Dennis, 704-677-6643....>MORE

CAMP SITES AND 1-2-3 BR CABINS
at Jackson Springs, N.C. and Gettysburg, PA. Not time share. LG ice box and freezer, $50 & large upright freezer, $75. 7...>MORE

See all ads


multimedia multimedia multimedia multimedia nie nie nie

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index