Baseball Etiquette

 It is summer, and baseball is in active swing. Going to a game anytime soon? I'll give you the basics on how to be a good fan. 

There are plenty of people who come late and only come for the fireworks, move seats even though the tickets say a specific seat number or just plain stand up and sit down so often you can't enjoy the game. Lots of things shouldn't be done at a ballpark for the sake of other fans that came to watch the sports. Plainly spoken, if you can't focus on the game at a ballpark go watch the game at home.

Today I give you the means to help someone else have fun at the game. If you truly like watching baseball you will thank yourself and anyone who follows these rules of etiquette around you. Grab your favorite ballpark snacks and let's go. 

What You Should Do

The national anthem is a big thing. You should remove your hats as you stand and listen to the singer with respect while facing the flag. If the flag was brought onto the field you don't sit down until it is off the field. Yes, you can sing with the singer. 

Please, only speak of what you know. Fans who try to explain what they know nothing about only confuse their friends and family. A fan around you will be fully aware that you are not knowledgeable at all. 

Take your breaks between innings, which are normally marked by promos such as T-shirt tosses and trivia segments. The 7th inning stretch is a good time, too, but you may have a long line to wait in. The reason for this is that people getting up and down so often inconveniences the groups around you. They have to move so you can get out of the row (if you aren't on the end). Speaking of being in the middle of the row, stand and allow those who are getting up to come and return swiftly. It is a common courtesy. 

Be on time and leave after the game is over (not in the middle). Does this sound like common sense? Yes, but it happens every single baseball game. If you are late, seat yourself during an inning break. Know where your seat is so that you can take your snacks right to your seats and have fun. 

Profanity is not what other patrons come to see, not anywhere, so keep your words in check. Children are all over ballparks and sports events like this. Be aware of that. In this vein of thinking I will also add that getting drunk is also not what patrons came to see. 

Respect everyone, including the opposing team fans and players. Yelling out cheers onto the field is perfectly fine to do and that is called "chatter". It is part of the atmosphere. In this same way, cut the negative pessimism so that we can all focus on our sports. 

Cell phones are not part of the experience. Yes, you can take a few selfies, but don't do so at the risk of receiving a line drive to the face. Watch the game. Your cell phone can wait until you are at home, minus the obvious exception of emergencies. 

Did I mention paying attention to the game? I did? Great, because that is the leading cause of people getting the aforementioned line drive to the face. If you are not focused on the field you have a far higher chance of getting a concussion. Even then, I can personally tell you it is possible to get hit (just ask my grandmother, who was paying attention!).

Place your children behind a netted section of the ballpark, especially when young. They can't always focus like you can. Look out for them and keep them close to you. This is one place kids are forever welcomed. 

Stay in the stands unless allowed onto the field by staff. Obvious? Yes. Do people run onto the field anyway? Sadly, yes. Most of the time they are drunk when it happens. Security quickly escorts them out of the stadium. 

Why Is It Important?

Coming to a live sports event means that you have other fans around you. Should you get drunk and start screaming profanities at the other team the fans around you will probably call an usher and that human will force you out of the ballpark. Respect for other patrons is vital for having fun here. I'm sure that if you are bringing your kids to a game you expect a safe, light atmosphere. These rules allow you to feel safe taking your son or daughter to a ballpark. 

Additionally, season ticket holders (like my family) take baseball in person seriously. We come to have fun and get our baseball fix and food. We love our sports. It helps us and everyone else have fun when etiquette is followed. The ballpark experience is, like theatre, unique every game.  

A Quick Note On Future Blogs

I will be taking a short break from blogging. Given that, there are two more new blogs released with this one that will be linked below. I'll see all of you readers when I get back and I'll have some fresh content for you. God bless!

My other two blogs are here and here too.

Source:

https://thehometownallstars.com/baseball-fan-etiquette/

https://www.baconsports.com/rules-for-proper-baseball-watching-etiquette/

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