Sports fans are never really alone

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

This is the worst time of year to be without a television, in my opinion.

The NBA is nearing the end of its season, major league baseball just began and of course there's March Madness and the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments. It's an exciting time of year in regards to sports and there I am, without a way to be a part of it all until I read the scores in the newspaper.

That leaves me venturing out a handful of nights throughout the week, searching for a restaurant or bar — any location really —that has a TV with the game on or won't mind when I ask them to change the channel so I can sit there happily enjoying my games.

And that's what I do. I sit there, by myself with no cares in the world for a matter of a few hours. It may be at a table for one and the barstools around me may be empty, but I am not lonely. I've been approached by a countless number of people while watching the games, who think I'm lonely or bored.

I'm a quiet sports spectator when I'm watching games on TV. I try to wear my team's colors and jerseys, etc. when I'm watching a game no matter where I am, but I'm not about to cause a ruckus and draw attention to myself by hooting and hollering when my team takes the lead or captures the win.

"Poor thing," one woman said to me about a week ago. "You're all alone."

Technically, yes, I usually do watch the games alone but I see it differently. On any given night across America, or the world for that matter, there are individuals and groups huddled around the soft glow of television screens rooting for their favorite teams. Nobody wants to miss the big game when it's certain to be office water cooler talk the next day.

That's another thing. While some folks analyze and chat about Grey's Anatomy or some ridiculous reality TV show with coworkers and friends, I'd much rather talk about Johan Santana's dozen or more strikeouts or the buzzer beater that gave an underdog team a victory when nobody believed they could win. Don't get me wrong, I like my reality TV just as much as the next person but it comes down to prioritizing and taking into account a few other things.

The plot lines of basketball, football, hockey games, etc. unfold before your eyes in all their unedited glory. Whereas reality shows can't show a complete week or even 24 hours in one episode, two 20 minute halves are simple and just as drama packed if not more. No editor has taken clips out of the show to make it more intense to draw in viewers. The coaches, players and pride are enough to bring people in and hold their interest.

I won't even begin to mention why I'd rather watch sports than some movies either. One thing to note, though, is that athletes do all their own "stunts." Some may have un-approved assistance — steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs — but that's another topic in itself.

Monday night I watched the Kansas Jayhawks win the NCAA Men's National Basketball Championship. I wasn't alone — my parents were visiting from Minnesota — and was able to watch the game in peace without being told how lonely and pathetic I looked. Next time someone does tell me that, I'm going to ask them to buy me a beer or maybe some wings.