I am married to a severely loyal season-ticket holder for the Washington Wild Things. When my husband moved here a bit over 8 years ago, before the advent of the team, he fell in love with Washington, saying this town reminded him of Baltimore when he was young – where people are friendly, kind, courteous and eager to help. Being originally from another place, we quickly found a real home here among the people of this area. Once the team was developed and started, my football lover husband (yea, a Ravens-maniac), tried a game or two of the Wild Things, and there began the passion for the team. The people there call him Baltimore Bill, and he loves it and them with a deep feeling for the boys he calls his adopted sons. And the boys feel the same way about him.
When one of the boys called him tonight about how badly the team felt about the articles and blogs, and how the O-R has reported the team in this article, I went online to read it for myself. I was hurt as the boys were; for them and for the Wild Thing lovers.
In my mind, the “classless act” is the sad reporting of this newspaper most of the time – especially in sports. Come on – the Baltimore Sun you aren’t. Yes, this little Frontier League team has had hard seasons, trying hard to be the best for themselves AND their fans, but this little team has brought more revenue into this area than was ever expected. Look at the businesses moving up to the strip near the field, the new Suites and restaurants; people coming from all over to see a WINNING (and losing at times) team. Well, it’s not like we have a winning baseball team in Pittsburgh to go watch, now do we? Let’s put the Wild Things up against the Pirates and see who wins that?!
No, no one is saying all the stories have to be about glories and wins. It is nice to see the accolades when the boys deserve it, scolds when they do badly. Lord knows, my husband went horse one night after raging at them during their slump. Losses make the team stronger. They tried, they really did. And yes, they lost. Are the fans mad? Yes, we were, but hurt too for the team and the staff of the Wild Things. I have to admit, I fumed over the playoff losses. My fan-atic husband took it all in stride – worrying more over the boys’ feeling than the fans. I ranted and raged like all their loyal fans did, I am sure, but through it all, we love that team and yes, next year my husband will get another season ticket for our anniversary as he has for the past three years. Why? Because through the losses and through the wins, the boys and the staff are what make the “Things” the very special team they are.
Boycotted you? Maybe, but I say good for them. They too have a right to say “no comment”, lick their wounds, sulk, and they have a right to feel the O-R staff has not held this wonderful, hard-playing, hard-working team in the light they deserve. Behind the professionalism of these boys, they are simply boys trying to be pros. They are hurting. I spoke to one tonight, and he tried to put a smile into his voice even when I asked him “what happened?” Did I get an answer – no. He is hurt, as we all are.
I think O-R needs to remember the Wild Things are doing a good job helping expand Washington into a real city of note. Remind your reading public of the glories of the season, the losses and the killer plays; the injuries and the pain – all part of the season, and all part of these boy’s season in the sun and horrible heat.
Please remember the life of the summer season player is hard. They travel to the worst areas, live on a bus or in motels all through the Frontier League, live with strangers here in Washington (to which I applaud these wonderful folk) and get paid very little for the pleasure of playing the game they love dearly. These boys have lives outside the summer season, and I hope it is a good growing time for them.
Will the fans really be back after 6 years of so close and yet so far away? Yes, because the real fans love the sport, the team and what they stand for. The city of Washington and the people here.
My husband said he agrees with Chris – “we’re going to win it next year.” Baltimore Bill says this is the greatest bunch of kids in the world and he doesn’t care what anyone else say.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)