The Vig

The Hawks got over 6,700 folks out for their game last night, their biggest attendance of the season thus far, I believe. Hawks fans have become used to crowds about half that size which means lots of room to stretch out. Most fans know to wait for a stoppage before getting up or coming back and those who don’t are few and far between. So it gets to be kind of annoying when you get folks who don’t give two hoots that they’re standing in front of you carrying on a conversation while the game is on. And of course you’re the ass for asking them to sit down.

As we begin to embark on something special at the Rose Garden, I think we’re gonna need to figure out how the screamers and the more sedate types will be able to coexist. That way we can avoid what happened in Houston over the weekend where a season ticket holder was bounced from the game because he kept standing up.  The Texans’ own website encourages fans in that section to be as rowdy as possible, even admonishing parents that it may not be suitable for the youngins.  It’s like Section 107 at Timbers games.  Only Texan.

What to do?  I’m guessing most of the section at that point was sitting down and “Overalls” was the only guy up.  In that situation, folks generally take a seat.  Like when your favorite band plays a ballad.  But should you have to sit down just because someone in the back doesn’t understand what section they’re in?

There was a kid at the Blazer game on Sunday who had scrawled “If you can read this, stand up” on the back of his t-shirt.  He’s right.  If you’re at a sporting event, you shouldn’t be shocked when the guy in front of you stands up and starts screaming his head off.  It’s part of the event.