Why do people care about their local sports teams?

BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY

When it's baseball season, I bleed red, white and blue.

When it's basketball season, I bleed green and blue

And when it's football season.... I pretend I don't live in Dallas.

Just moved to TX from a state with little to no professional teams. I'm excited to adopt the Rangers as my American League team. If you're curious, my NL team is the Diamondbacks. I will not, however, be rooting for the Cowboys. Ew...

Don't ever root for the Cowboys. Ever.

The Rangers are the underdogs and I love them for it. However, if they screw up a third trip to the World Series, I'll cut them. All of them. The Diamondbacks are another favorite of mine. Just don't say you like the Braves.

The Braves? Ew... hell no.

I've always had a thing for the Twins and Rangers in the AL. Nothing serious -- more of a mild crush, if you will.

sz8soon

I actually enjoy watching a really good baseball or basketball game, but I just don't understand why anybody cares which team wins.

Did you not get the participation trophy you really wanted growing up? Points are tallied, a finish line drawn and stat's are logged for one reason- to Win! If no one ever kept score on anything where is the incentive to get better and be better? I could go on and on...but I don't wanna...

Espressocycle

OK, NEW QUESTION: How can I start caring?

I've never played a sport and I have only watched a handful of games in which I really didn't know what was going on.

How do I get myself to care? Seriously, I feel left out!

To be fair, I might be beyond hope. I don't really understand religion or patriotism either. Like, why should I go around thinking my country is so great? I mean, it's pretty good, but there are probably other good ones too! And how could I believe in a religion when there are so many?

VelociMama

OK, NEW QUESTION: How can I start caring?

I've never played a sport and I have only watched a handful of games in which I really didn't know what was going on.

How do I get myself to care? Seriously, I feel left out!

Buy tickets to games for you and some friends. Drink a lot of beer. Talk to the fans nearby you if they're friendly and make some new friends. Enjoy yourself.

FGVC1188

I have never understood why people get so into rooting for their local professional sports team. It would be one thing if all the players were from your home town or something, but they are just people from all over hired to play for a team that happens to be based in your metropolitan area. If you like a player on your team one year, he could be playing on another team the following season. It's not like the team even belongs to your community - the owner can move it to another city!

I actually enjoy watching a really good baseball or basketball game, but I just don't understand why anybody cares which team wins.

Anyway, I would like to get it. People really seem to enjoy it!

What are you, a stinkin commie?

perfectingpatti

OK, NEW QUESTION: How can I start caring?
I've never played a sport and I have only watched a handful of games in which I really didn't know what was going on.
How do I get myself to care? Seriously, I feel left out!

You can't.

KIDDING! Learn about the games. See what sport interests you the most. Go to some professional games. They're really fun!

Im_NotPerfect

OK, NEW QUESTION: How can I start caring?

I've never played a sport and I have only watched a handful of games in which I really didn't know what was going on.

How do I get myself to care? Seriously, I feel left out!

Go to some actual games. SO much different than watching on TV. Keep track of wins and losses, etc. Learn how the game is played so that you know what you're actually watching.

DontStopB_Leakin

When it's baseball season, I bleed red, white and blue.

When it's basketball season, I bleed green and blue

And when it's football season.... I pretend I don't live in Dallas.

Just moved to TX from a state with little to no professional teams. I'm excited to adopt the Rangers as my American League team. If you're curious, my NL team is the Diamondbacks. I will not, however, be rooting for the Cowboys. Ew...

Don't ever root for the Cowboys. Ever.

The Rangers are the underdogs and I love them for it. However, if they screw up a third trip to the World Series, I'll cut them. All of them. The Diamondbacks are another favorite of mine. Just don't say you like the Braves.

The Braves? Ew... hell no.

I've always had a thing for the Twins and Rangers in the AL. Nothing serious -- more of a mild crush, if you will.

It's the underdog thing.

The Rangers have a wonderful fan base, too. There's a few "fair weather" fans, now that they've made it to the World Series twice, but the majority of us are die hards that have loved that team for a LONG time.

jenbit

For me its different. I don't route for the hometown team. I live in Miami and I'm a JETS fan... Why cause my mom is from NY amd brain washed in utero. Also I remember watching football every sunday with the whole family. Football season is family time in my house lol

RunsOnEspresso

Why not cheer on the team for the area you live in or have some affiliation with? I'm a Cardinals fan because I've lived in Arizona most of my life and I cheer them on because they are our team. I'm also a Patriots fan because I lived in CT for a few years when I was young and just getting into football and they were the "local" team there. Grew up loving both teams. Why would I cheer on a team like Green Bay? I have no affiliation with Green Bay, Wisconsin, no family there, no friends there, and never even been there.

I'm a Flyers fan and never lived in Philly. But growing up in WI we didn't have an NHL team and god forbid I like anything MN, MI or IL. :laugh: Flyers got me hooked on hockey. Now of course I live in AZ and am a die hard Coyotes fan. Flyers still hold a special place in my heart though. They are my #1B.

MoreBean13

Because I'm from Philadelphia.

It's something you grow up with. I went to Phillies and Eagles games as a kid with my dad. He let me drink soda at the games. We had an eagles superbox and it was the best thing ever. My 93 year old grandmother still knows all the Phillies' players' stats off hand- even if she thinks I'm 18 when I see her. It's just the way it is.

SVCat

I grew up playing sports, was in military & law enforcement units. The camaraderie, the pride in that something. Something to brag about, to enjoy. That's why I care.

RunsOnEspresso

OK, NEW QUESTION: How can I start caring?

I've never played a sport and I have only watched a handful of games in which I really didn't know what was going on.

How do I get myself to care? Seriously, I feel left out!

To be fair, I might be beyond hope. I don't really understand religion or patriotism either. Like, why should I go around thinking my country is so great? I mean, it's pretty good, but there are probably other good ones too! And how could I believe in a religion when there are so many?

Go to a game. The atmosphere is a huge part of it. For example hockey can be hard for people to follow on tv if they've never played or learned the rules. It is a fast game and so much goes on behind the puck/play that you can't see on tv.

Play the game (if you can/want).

Ask questions. Most sports fans are willing to teach others about the game. I'd rather have you ask me a question than say something dumb to try and show you know the sport. Our seat neighbor learned everything he knows about hockey from a video game. Don't do this.

Espressocycle

What are you, a stinkin commie?

Well, kinda... but I don't really believe in political parties either. I mean, I like some communist ideas, but I like some libertarian ideas too.

Jersey_Devil

The better question is why don't you care?

BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY

OK, NEW QUESTION: How can I start caring?

I've never played a sport and I have only watched a handful of games in which I really didn't know what was going on.

How do I get myself to care? Seriously, I feel left out!

To be fair, I might be beyond hope. I don't really understand religion or patriotism either. Like, why should I go around thinking my country is so great? I mean, it's pretty good, but there are probably other good ones too! And how could I believe in a religion when there are so many?

Meh. You could try going to a game, but if you really don't like the sport to begin with, I really doubt that you'll like it. Continue with a hobby that you enjoy.

sz8soon

The better question is why don't you care?

I think the better question is: Why do you care?

dmpizza

You, like me probably lack what are called "mirror neurons". These are real parts of your brain that make you care about what other people in a room are responding to.

I have learned to relax and actually enjoy what is going on around me. Try it.

ncahill77

I grew up in Oklahoma where at the time there were NO professional sports - so we cheered for the colleges and that is a blast

Then 15 years ago I moved to Minnesota and went to my first NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB games over time and I can tell you the atmosphere is contagious and just FUN - also the economic impact is HUGE creates jobs, brings in revenue - the owner of a bar in St Paul sent a letter to the NHL commissioner in regards to how much the lockout was hurting his business and the overall income of downtown st paul - It means a LOT to people not only for the fun but for other reasons also!

I didnt live in MN in 89 or 91 BUT people still have so much pride in those Twins teams its cool to hear stories and it gets you excited!

Im a die hard Vikes fan - :sad: BUT I care because in addition to fun its also fun to see some "local" Adrian Peterson (OU grad) have great success...

Have you been back to Oklahoma, by far the best basketball environment in the country is at a Thunder game. I have been to a half dozen other arenas and I have had friends come in from different cities that go to a game and we all agree there is nothing like it.

LMT2012

I like boxing. It's about the man.

pudadough

I am a fair weather pro sports fan. I don't have a lot of emotion invested in the Cowboys (lol) or the Mavs unless they are having a winning season.

My Aggies, on the other hand. Die hard. And yes, I was just as die hard before this season, but it's nice to win once in a while. :happy:

My student fees actually helped pay for my college team, so as an alumnus I feel more ownership. I guess that's why...? Point being, I get what you're saying about local pro teams. They're paid a crap load of money to play...so I feel like they should be good all the time!

What baffles me more is people who go hardcore for college teams...when they never went to college themselves. "T-shirt fans" as we call them. *cough* longhorn fans *cough*

ninerbuff

I have never understood why people get so into rooting for their local professional sports team. It would be one thing if all the players were from your home town or something, but they are just people from all over hired to play for a team that happens to be based in your metropolitan area. If you like a player on your team one year, he could be playing on another team the following season. It's not like the team even belongs to your community - the owner can move it to another city!

I actually enjoy watching a really good baseball or basketball game, but I just don't understand why anybody cares which team wins.

Anyway, I would like to get it. People really seem to enjoy it!

For many, having an identity with a team brings bonding and common interest. You see people in bars, at stadiums, etc high fiving one another even though they've never met when their team is up or winning. It's a GREAT FEELING.

One thing I have correlated is that people who don't get cheering for a sports team are usually people who are introverts and like to be left alone. Anyone agree?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

tsh0ck

I have never understood why people get so into rooting for their local professional sports team. It would be one thing if all the players were from your home town or something, but they are just people from all over hired to play for a team that happens to be based in your metropolitan area. If you like a player on your team one year, he could be playing on another team the following season. It's not like the team even belongs to your community - the owner can move it to another city!

I actually enjoy watching a really good baseball or basketball game, but I just don't understand why anybody cares which team wins.

Anyway, I would like to get it. People really seem to enjoy it!

weird.

spamantha57

GO NINERSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm from San Francisco. Born & raised. Grew up watching football on Sundays, yelling at the TV from when I was a little kid.

And San Francisco is awesome.

AntWrig

I have never understood why people get so into rooting for their local professional sports team. It would be one thing if all the players were from your home town or something, but they are just people from all over hired to play for a team that happens to be based in your metropolitan area. If you like a player on your team one year, he could be playing on another team the following season. It's not like the team even belongs to your community - the owner can move it to another city!

I actually enjoy watching a really good baseball or basketball game, but I just don't understand why anybody cares which team wins.

Anyway, I would like to get it. People really seem to enjoy it!

For many, having an identity with a team brings bonding and common interest. You see people in bars, at stadiums, etc high fiving one another even though they've never met when their team is up or winning. It's a GREAT FEELING.

One thing I have correlated is that people who don't get cheering for a sports team are usually people who are introverts and like to be left alone. Anyone agree?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I don't agree.

besaro

pretty sure the larger question is
TOPIC: Why do people care about their sports teams?

serena569

Because they're the Packers. 'Nuff said.

ekkand

Because they are the SF Giants and they are awesome. World Champions.. end of story.

ElizaRoche

I used to do that... now im just BLAH about all damn sports, its just a waste of time and energy ...
if they dont win, if they win, whats the big deal at the end?, I just think its boring.. I rather do some other stuff when the rest of the people are in lalaland watching a game.

KendleX

Sell the Vikings and move them. Please?!