tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13039824.post5333119449401414804..comments2023-10-15T10:05:15.901-04:00Comments on The Fraser Faithful: Yeah, son!Joe Gravhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06883597644631048767noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13039824.post-8052407537942031232007-07-02T16:02:00.000-04:002007-07-02T16:02:00.000-04:00Spike, if that was you on the m~!@#$%^&*()_+ cowbe...Spike, if that was you on the m~!@#$%^&*()_+ cowbell, could you please move a little further away from the press box (read: microphone for the radio broadcast)? <BR/><BR/>Speaking of which, Leahy said the same thing about the food poisoning affecting the Pride.<BR/><BR/>Regarding the forced patriotism at Fraser, there is an interesting post on this <A HREF="http://sports-law.blogspot.com/2007/05/yankee-stadium-god-bless-america-and.html" REL="nofollow">sports law blog</A> which <A HREF="http://woodenulykteneau.blogspot.com/2007/04/forced-patriotism.html" REL="nofollow">mirrors my thoughts</A> and I'd tend to agree with him that forcing fans to participate is in the neighborhood of <A HREF="http://supreme.justia.com/us/319/624/case.html" REL="nofollow">Barnette v. WV Board of Ed.</A> in terms of compulsory participation in a meaningless ritual.Wooden U. Lykteneauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17861644878212476995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13039824.post-47489830453163477752007-07-02T14:54:00.000-04:002007-07-02T14:54:00.000-04:00(2) On rightsI agree with comments on an earlier t...(2) On rights<BR/><BR/>I agree with comments on an earlier thread about what the First Amendment means. But further, the Bill of Rights was written to limit Washington's power over us, not to dictate a specific result, nor to dictate policy to a private business like the Spirit.<BR/><BR/>Fraser Field is not the public common but the (leased) home of Nick Lopardo, who has to make a profit and avoid riling the affectations of the city fathers, and we are his guests. We do not have the absolute right either to freedom of speech or to avoid a religious observation.<BR/><BR/>Our comments are necessarily aesthetic--about what it means to be a fan--and even here, I acknowledged an exception for the day after a notorious brawl. My objection to "God Bless America" is likewise aesthetic, and I concede there may be many more fans on the other side.<BR/><BR/>My ball club may of course partner with businesses against which I have a grudge, and even with Commie mouthpieces like the Globe and WBZ. I am hardly going to subject the Spirit to some kind of indirect boycott. But they ought to stay away from politics and religion, simply because anyone in retailing or the hospitality business should. It is too easy a way to tick off a customer. The Pride are offenders here, continually offering concourse tables for Democrats to solicit petitions. My other point on "God Bless America" is slightly more important. It is not the National Anthem, not nearly, and it is improper to ask us to remove our headwear to honor it.<BR/><BR/> --SpikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13039824.post-30912074964013739722007-07-02T14:45:00.000-04:002007-07-02T14:45:00.000-04:00(1) On Sunday's GameTranslation: The Pride finally...(1) On Sunday's Game<BR/><BR/>Translation: The Pride finally got the bats working--five doubles and four singles, producing a run in each of the first four innings--then went into their daily midgame torpor. (Spirit fans are used to it as well.) Spirit countered with a couple three-spots and then we grabbed one another like tired boxers waiting for the bell. Before it would ring, El Guapo finally appeared, to pitch one inning in a lost cause. No idea why we didn't see him Saturday when the Pride had several chances to hold onto the lead. It may have to do with a rumor I got from two sources, of seriously bad turkey sandwiches at Holman Stadium that affected the press box, the front office, and some players.<BR/><BR/>Hobson does have a younger team, but he told the Telegraph at the start of the jump to the Can-Am league that he was enthusiastic about teaching the kids. I've seen him during B.P. and he is a great teacher, but stern and quite ready to bench someone for a mistake to continue their "education." He does of course convey total weariness with the way he carries himself on the field. I've often said that the manager's most important job is not what he does on the field but to motivate players enough to keep them from drinking until 2 a.m. the night before. Am not sure how Butch stacks up here. But the charismatic Glenn Murray, whom we lost to Lancaster at the start of the year, could not have done this job; he was above all a party animal, arriving at the stadium on a motorcycle smoking a cigarette.<BR/><BR/>It was fun bringing the Bucket O'Noise, even though used against the Spirit. (Brent said, "I love that [slide whistle], only I hate it!") It got a party of four below me to move (I offered to move first, but they wouldn't hear of it), it got Corey to shout Spirit cheers in my face, and it got you bloggers to cheer louder for your team.<BR/><BR/> --SpikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com