Stadium  Filled Amazements

Do you prefer watching live sports at outdoor or indoor stadiums? 

“Infield or outfield I see a verdant sea.Where memories are remade and dreams run free.The grass forms a stage where legend rules.In battles hard fought for victory’s jewels”

(USFMAN 2024)

It’s the 7th game of the 2016 World Series as my favorite team, the Cleveland Indians, have just overcome a 6-3 deficit in this deciding series finale to tie up the contest with the Chicago Cubs in the bottom of the 8th inning in dramatic home run fashion. With extra innings likely to happen soon afterward, game momentum now shifts in favor of “The Tribe.” All of a sudden, it begins to rain heavily on this natural grass expanse of Progressive Field. For seventeen emotionally gripping minutes, the baseball action now stops as both teams exit to their indoor dressing rooms to discuss their latest plans to win this pivotal contest. When play resumes in the top of this 10th inning, it’s soon evident that this weather slowdown has adversely quieted the spirited crowd atmosphere foreshadowing an end to  the Indians game winning “edge.” For the new Indians pitcher inserted fresh out of the bullpen improbably gives up two runs in the top of this extra inning to shift odds in the outcome of this game to an eventual Cubs World Series win. 

So should I blame the Indians loss on this ominous turn of events in this final game of sudden inclement weather appearing in this open air stadium? Probably it’s yes, many would reason. Yet if even if this is so, I’d never give in to any further explanation that an indoor stadium with climate controlled weather conditions would have provided a better place to play this tightly contested baseball event then. 

Certainly I can see the advantages of playing baseball or most  other sports for that matter in air conditioned comfort seemingly not impacted by passing storms and other uncomfortable weather conditions. But I consider it more vital to absorb the strong sensory experience of real grass, the sky above, and the unique panorama of history’s mark observed around the stadium surroundings as critical to the enjoyment of the live event itself. I might even call this phenomenon a form of self spectator hypnosis. 

So leave those artificial sporting venues of modern convenience, particularly in baseball, to more appropriate forms of entertainment like rallies, concerts, and trade fairs. Furthermore, show respect for us “purist” fans who like to breathe, smell, and gaze curiously outside at sporting events offering natural surrounding’s throne. If you read this blog intently, I can tell  that you now sense our keen desire to  breathe again that fragrant cactus breeze and scan that mystical desert horizon while attending Arizona Spring Training baseball on our upcoming road trip. 

For some creative fun, take a look at the wide range of Major League Baseball stadium backdrops functioning now around America by clicking on the link in the following video. Imagine which of these sports venues strike you as more appealing to watch a live game.

https://youtu.be/qLiwxraM4kc?si=pyLJL-0g4Bv_zJAk