Live Crowds: Which do you prefer being a part of the most?

[NoCalMike]

For me it has to be baseball. I have been to NBA/MLB/NFL games before, and although Football is probably the most INTENSE type of crowd I have been a part of, to me there is something special about the calmness and anticipation of a MLB crowd waiting for a reason to explode.

 

Also for me, you have a lot less run-ins with idiots that are there just to get as drunk as possible and pick fights, like NFL games. Don't get wrong, I still love going to NFL games live, but MLB holds a special spot at the top of the list.

 

Oh another thing is, I think MLB games are also the easiest to follow live, for obvious reasons.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Tennis is easily the best, since most of the crowd are filled with civilized people.

 

NBA was good, too... but, it was an exhibition game in Buffalo. I'm sure it would be worse at MSG, and such.

 

Football is horrible. Tons of drunks. Trying to drive out of the stadium, hoping you don't die.

[devo]

Definitely baseball. It's the easiest to follow of any live sport I've seen, and yeah, the crowds always seem more pleasant than at other professional sporting events. Football's a real mixed bag live. On one hand, when the game gets exciting, it's great. When the game drags and is frequently stopped by constant TV time outs, at that time it almost seems as though a trip to the DMV might be more fun. Hockey's pretty good as well, with the only real strikes against it being that your experience almost entirely depends on where you sit and the fact that the crowds tend to be much more annoying than most.

[Lt. Al Giardello]

I've only been to hockey games, its fun, espically when your hammered. You get really into it.

 

I'm going to my 1st NBA game next week, so we'll see how that goes.

[CanadianChris]

Hockey is easily the best sport live, IMO. It's the only sport I prefer to watch live than on TV.

[naiwf]

There's nothing worse than a boring ass, 10 pitcher, 4 hour baseball game. Nothing.

 

I'll say that I liked NBA games back in the '90s when the Knicks were actually good. Since they became the drizzling shits, I'd go with NFL as I've been to both Jets and Giants home games and was always entertained by the crowds.

[Guest Princess Leena]

I forgot hockey. I agree that it's better than watching on TV. As long as your seats are decent enough that you can follow the puck, it's a blast. Hockey is lot better when you can where all the players are.

 

And golf wasn't very fun. Either you sit all day at a part of one hole, where you'll probably get a good view, but that gets boring. Or try chasing players, but it gets very annoying dealing with people. And running around.

[Red Baron]

Hockey than Baseball. If you ever get a chance go see a soccer game (not some shitty MLS soccer, but when the European clubs tour North America) that is a great environment. Saw Celtic FC vs Roma in 2004, fucking nuts.

[jwpeer]

College Football for a school you go to, especially on a big game night. It can be a great environment.

 

I went to Pitt vs. Va Tech like 3 years ago in the -20 degree wind chill sitting in the upper deck of heinz field, and it was awesome as hell. My friend and I decided to go at the last minute and got some cheap scalper tickets, and was well worth it even if I almost froze to death.

 

 

:)

[kkktookmybabyaway]

When I was a kid I went to a few Steeler games. It was awful. Everytime a pass was thrown, everyone stood up, blocking my view. Although my old man told me of the first time we went to a game (I don't remember saying this) and after the first time-out or something I asked him, "Where are the commercials?"

 

I've been to NFL, MLB (well, it was the Pirates, but it was back when they were good) and NHL games, but my favorite was the Major Indoor Lacrosse League back in my high school days.

[Black Lushus]

I would have loved to have gone to a Knicks playoff game at MSG in either 93 or 94...either against the Bulls or the Pacers...I hate to admit, I would have loved going to that game where Reggie Miller "cheated to win"...the heat was off the charts.

[nl5xsk1]

I've been to all of the major sports & most of the secondary sports (no NASCAR yet, and likely never).

 

Hockey is the one that gains the most from seeing it live rather than on TV. Watching the entirety of the game, rather than just following the puck, makes the game just so much more exciting.

 

Football is the one that gets hurt the most from seeing it live rather than on TV. Other than tailgating pre- & post-game, being at a game is kind of crappy. Minimal replays, minimal out-of-town updates, way too many commercial breaks, uncertainty about who's injured & how serious, etc. Arena football is even worse; never again will I subject myself to an arena game, either in person OR on TV.

 

Basketball & baseball, well, I'm biased because I don't really care that much for either sport. Basketball is better in person because there's so much eye candy at Celtics games. Going to a game at Fenway is a nightmare, because of the crooked-hat wearing frat guy idiots. If it wasn't for the fun of drinking at a game, I wouldn't go at all.

 

Golf & tennis were interesting; I never watch either sport on TV, so can't say that I prefer one way (or one sport) to another.

[Black Lushus]

Creighton got bounced out of the NIT on, what THEY considered, a bad last second call...from what I heard, the heat against the refs and the other team was super nuclear and included (which I hate and do not condone) trash launched onto the court and a very flashy and highly uncharacteristic bitchfest from coach Dana Altman. I would have loved to have been there for the heat, though I could do without seeing the crap thrown.

 

I always wanted to go to an Eagles or Raiders game just to see how bad their fans really are.

[Hawk 34]

I've been to almost every sporting event at multiple levels, from baseball (pro/minors/college), basketball (pro and college), football (pro, arena and college), hockey (pro and college), wrestling (pro/indy, college), NASCAR (Nextel and various smaller divisons), IRL.

 

The only sports that elude me are the niche sports.

 

I would agree that Hockey, as boring as it is presented on TV is a completely different beast live. Football, is a complete bore live. I never get how people don't like baseball, which is probably the most relaxing and thrilling sport to enjoy.

 

NASCAR, is best served at the short tracks as opposed to the cookie-cutter tracks or the superspeedways.

 

Basketball, is 100x better on the college level.

[nl5xsk1]

I always wanted to go to an Eagles or Raiders game just to see how bad their fans really are.

I saw a big ass brawl at a Bruins/Flyers game that started because two Flyers fans (one of whom was a female) started mouthing off & talking shit to a TON of B's fans. The girl ended up spitting on some guy, who then threw his beer in the girl's face ... next thing you know a bunch of Flyers fans come up and it's just a huge donnybrook.

 

Flyers fans scare me.

[Black Lushus]

I'll never forget the image of Eagle fan ripping Giant fan down from the railing and pummeling him.

[nl5xsk1]

There was that special on HBO (I think it was HBO, might have been ESPN) about sports fanaticism, and they showed clips of an Eagles fan that had been beaten by some Redskins fans ... the white Eagles jersey was so bloody that it looked like a maroon 'skins jersey.

 

The whole NorthEast is pretty fucked up when it comes to sports violence.

[Black Lushus]

I'd like to experience any Philly crowd really...WWE, Sixers, Flyers, Eagles...Philly crowds seem to have that certain rabid rep.

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

I'm going to my first live hockey game thanks to donating blood and receiving a free ticket. So I'll be experiencing that hockey crowd for the first time. As things stand, I like baseball crowds, because for the most part, you can develop some kind of bond with the other fans that frequents games. Also it's a bit more respectful (though I am ashamed of my fellow San Diego fans who threw a syringe at Barry Bonds).

[nl5xsk1]

Porter, are you in SoCal? (I'm only presuming because you refer to your fellow SD fans). Are you seeing a minor league game?

 

And I had Boston Bruins season tickets a few years ago, and the same "bond" that you referred to existed with them. You end up getting to know everyone in your section, and the beer guys and things like that. I've kept in touch with a few of them, and it's like seeing an old friend when you see them at a game now or at a bar just randomly in Boston. Good times.

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

Yes, the San Diego Gulls. Playing against... Phoenix Roadrunners.

 

And Niskie, if that is true of the Gulls crowd, then I'd put them with the baseball crowd as my favorite. That's the aspect that is most important to me. Creating an environment where people would enjoy the games immensely, regardless of the team's play, and wanting to come back just for that camaderie with the others.

[MillenniumMan831]

Going to see minor league hockey games are a blast. Watching the hapless Cleveland Barons give up 8 or 9 goals on any given night draws more laughter than frustration from those of us in the club level (much better view to see the whole game rather than up against the glass).

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

Well I looked up on the arena website, and tonight, this is apparently going to be my view:

 

 

Is this a good view for a hockey game?

[nl5xsk1]

Ahh, the good ol' RoadRunners ... they've got a couple of good goons, Porter, you're likely to see a fight or 3. You can normally count on at least one good fight at an ECHL game.

 

And I think the camraderie is proportionate to where you're sitting. My season tix were in the cheap seats, so it was all working-class types, old-school hockey fans that paid attention & knew the players and were there to see the game. The times that I've sat in the 'good' seats, it hasn't been as friendly that way. The same holds true at Fenway, though, you end up meeting nicer people in the cheaper sections.

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

Terrific. Should be fun then. Though admittedly, I'm not all that big of a hockey fan (the wife is a bigger fan), but I'm open to new experiences.

[Lt. Al Giardello]

IF only you guys understand how big the Flames cup run was in 04.

 

I'm sure you all seen videos and photos of 17 Ave aka The Red Mile, after they won games. One of the best experences of my life.

[RepoMan]

I like going to football and college hoops games (in the student section) because the crowd can actually effect the outcome of the game. Hockey definintly gains the most watching live. NBA is all right, the one time I went (Lakers at Cavs in 2004) I was setting w/ a bunch of family who gave me dirty looks when ever I got into the game which sucked. Baseball is boring, but its a nice way to kick back and drink some overpriced beers on a hot summer night. I do like watching the short season A Batavia Muckdogs b/c the players don't take forever between pitches and games only last around 2 hours. I'd love to go to some heated Euro soccer match provided I don't get beat up by hooligans.

[therealworldschampion]

I love going to college football and basketball games. I've been to a couple of Penn State games and they were a blast. Nothing beats watching Big 5 basketball games at the Palestra though, since the tickets are split 50-50 between the schools and it's a great environment, although I miss the streamers being thrown after the first basket.

 

Phillies games used to be a bit boring at the Vet, but the new park is great because you can walk around and really enjoy the ambiance. Flyers games are fun, especially being down a couple of rows away from the ice when you can see everything up close. Eagles games I've kind of soured on going to, way too many drunks and fights breaking out, and you enjoy it less after a few visits.

[Guest]

I like hockey the most, either from glass seating (which I've had) or from way up top (which I prefer).

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop]

I def prefer going to school games(highschool and college) to pro. And by that I mean while you're attending said school. I def. find those games to be better than professional games although i've been to both NFL and NBA games. I just went to an NBA game tonight in fact, and I'd say I def enjoy basketball live over football.