By: Retired Shrink
Hello all. About ten years ago, I submitted a post dealing with Bryce Harper (after he got tossed for arguing balls and strikes), parents, prodigies and meltdowns. It was fun to see all the discussion. Now that we are in a lull (some might say coma) in the hot stove action and now that I have finished digging out here in Stafford, VA, I decided to dip my toes back into the water once again. This will not focus on any High IQ baseball issues (not my wheel-house), but instead on a lighthearted (or hardcore, depending on your perspective) look at the types of fans we are individually and how it makes for such a successful webpage.
In reading/commenting on the past several baseball oriented posts, I noticed perspectives from all types of fans. I did a brief search on fan types and came up with this:
- The Die-Hard/Passionate Fan: Known for intense loyalty, high energy, and often, high frustration during underperformance, characteristic of teams like the New York Yankees. I think there are several folks here that fall into this category. They’re the ones who know the game better than the others (or at least they believe they do). On the Talk Nats forum, I find those in this group truly knowledgeable as opposed to other fan bases on other forums I’ve looked at. I enjoy watching the back and forth banter, espousing the virtues of trading, not trading, releasing or signing this player or the other. Both make good points and, for the most part, the banter is respectful, where “agree to disagree” appears to be the most common conclusion.
- The Historian/Traditionalist: Values the “unwritten rules” of the game, appreciating the nuances, strategy, and history of baseball. Another well represented group here. These folks (myself included) are typically older (I know this because advanced age is mentioned in the post) folks who occasionally get the “Get off my lawn” mentality with regard to the younger players and their “antics.” We like the tradition of the game, miss the strategy that went away with the onset of the Designated Hitter and long for some of the “old school” players (Bob Gibson comes to mind for me).
- The Casual/Social Fan: Enjoys the atmosphere, social aspect, and experience of the ballpark more than the technical details of the game. This group is (in my opinion) somewhat in the minority here. It may be because they just don’t comment and lurk in the shadows.
- The Analytical Fan (Stathead): Deeply focused on Sabermetrics, player efficiency, and in-depth game data. Another well represented niche here. These are the ones who MUST watch “Moneyball” whenever it comes on the tube, REGARDLESS of how far along the movie is (I do the same thing when I come upon “The Shawshank Redemption” or “A Few Good Men). I’ll be honest, I tend to scroll past these comments, typically because it is over my head.
- The Polite/Laid-Back Fan: Exemplified by fanbases, who were found to use fewer swear words in commentary. This one fascinates me, as the Talk Nats posters here are typically very polite to each other. The worst it seems to get here is folks becoming dismissive of opposing views.
In looking at these categories, I see myself as 60% the casual sports fan and 40% the Historian/Traditionalist. I was one of those who grew up in DC in the 60’s and 70’s, the latter of which started the 30 plus year lack of a DC team. When the Nats came here from Montreal, I was a divorced father whose then five year old son took an interest in baseball. We connected over the Nats and this is the primary reason I will always take a ”glass half full” mentality towards the team. I was able to see the team win a World Series (something that many older Boston Red Sox fans couldn’t say) and have a hopeful perspective to the new brain trust.
I won’t call anyone out here except myself, but am hoping that folks will look at this and maybe comment on their type (feeling free to add to the five categories noted here). I will say that the many different types of fans that frequent this site play a role in its success. Coming here is like going to the old school smorgasbords…there’s something for everyone.
To all those impacted by the storms, say safe and dry.
