The Three Leagues Of Little League Fans

ENG 101 MWF 10:00

2/13/2006

Essay #2

The three leagues of Little League fans

Baseball, it's called "The great American pastime", and although it's not the big leagues, the Little Leagues are very important to many parents and players, some times a little too important. In my mind there are only three types of little league fans. You have the casual fan, which only takes the time to squeeze in two or three games out of the season. You also have the avid fan, which is usually a parent, or grandparent of one of the children and are at a majority of the games cheering happily win or lose. Then there are the ones that I like to call the rabid fans, the ones who stand out and are usually looked down on as bad parents

The casual fans

Usually either a sibling or a friend of the family, the casual fan is only at a few games a year and doesn't have a whole lot of interest in the game itself, but is just there to support the kid and to follow through on a promise. These fans will usually arrive late, make his presents know to the player, and leave as soon as the ninth inning comes to a close. They don't have a whole lot of time for the games but will find time to stop by the field, have a hot dog, and wish the kid luck. This is the category I find myself in when it comes to my niece. With working full time, and going to school full time I find it very difficult to be a good uncle and make it to a lot over her game, but when I am there I make my presents known by cheering at the top of my lungs and basically making an ass of myself.

The avid fan

There are also the avid fans. These are most made up of parents and grandparents of one or two of the players. They make up roughly eighty percent of the fans and are always cheering optimistically on every play, good or bad. These people are more than just fans. They also guide the children in their everyday lives and want nothing more than the kids to be happy and have fun playing the great sport of baseball. They are the ones that pay for the equipment, register the kids to play, and encourage them in every aspect of their lives. These are some of the most important people in a child's life. They are the ones who care for them the most and are there for every major event. If it wasn't for the avid fan in all our lives there is no tell what direction our lives could have taken. In my experience, the avid fan of my life was my mother. She was there to support me on every play and never criticized me. She has still been there through my graduation and has continued to be at my side my whole life.

The rabid fan

The rabid fan is often a misunderstood parent of a Little League athlete. They are usually a father but in some rare instances