Traditionalists and Old Codgers

Hoops brought up the point of “old codgers” posting in this forum. It made me think about the generations and it’s changes. I can remember, by the way not too long ago, thinking just like Hoops. Those Traditionalists were old poops that were stodgy, backwards and just plain stupid! They couldn’t bend with the new times and couldn’t relate to the young people. They didn’t want change. They wanted to keep everything as it was.

But as I’ve gotten older and hopefully wiser, I didn’t find that to be true. The Traditionalists are the keepers of the integrity of their sports. They guard that integrity like Dbacks guards that last piece of chicken on a plate. Traditionalists don’t need a million dollar mega gizmo that tells them when to cheer or when to boo. They don’t need cheerleaders to get them excited about a particular play. They don’t mind that technology has evolved to include the non-fan. They just don’t want technology to interfere with changing the rules or respect of the game. And they believe the majority of fans believe this also. Traditionalists are the reminders that their game was pretty good the way it is.

There is a reason that people get a special feeling attending a game at Wrigley Field, Fenway Park and the old Boston Garden. I submit that it’s not because of any new technology, but because it provides an environment that yearns for the way it was. People like tradition. People like the history of their sport. They like the values and rules that traditionalists hold fiercely.

I believe that traditionalist embrace any new technology that helps to enjoy watching a game. Television has been marvelous in it’s evolution. It has allowed more people to watch a sporting event than ever before. But the key word is “watch”. When television and all it’s technology is allowed to become invasive and to become part of the game and it’s rules, then I believe it strips away part of a sports tradition and it’s rich history …and part of it’s soul has gone, too.

If that makes me an old codger…….cool!

 

Can I hear an

AMEN??

Like Braves, I will wear the title "traditionalist" or "old codger" proudly...

Bigger and Better is not always Best.

 

Did anyone else notice last night when the cameraman ran alongside a guy from third to home after the a homerun? Did this bother anyone besides me?

 

I'm one too.....

An Old Codger.....

I don't have problems with technology, camera angles etc....but keep the game pure, it's survied all these years so "don't fix it if it ain't broke"....



Dbacks

 

I saw it too. It's all about TV ratings. It really doesn't matter to me to much but I wish someone would nail him with a ball, he wouldn't come out there again.

 

braves

Now hold on just a minute. Even us old codgers like having the cheerleaders get us excited. Heck it was you that was leading the charge to get cheerleaders at baseball games if I recall.

Of course being an old codger my recall ain't what it used to be...

 

Yeah...but I ain't an old codger

 

IF you were at the first game with Abner Doubleday... well doesnt that make you an old codger???

 

Nope....that makes me a co-inventor. The old codgers came later...you know, guys like aguyyouknow, dbacks, Coach May, old putt (or is that one putt), etc.

Guys like you and me, Coach, are considered "experienced" mentors

 

Unfortunately i think I fall into that "old codger" group from time to time.

I'll say this. Took the family to Fenway for 2 games this summer. It was like a spiritual revival. Beautiful place. Much better than some new stadium. It was like magic. Even my wife understood. Fenway, Wrigley, Yankee Stadium (kills me to say anything about the Yankees) and those stadiums are the way it should be.