Wezen-Ball

I think standing up during the actual pitcher-batter confrontation is poor form anytime before the last out of a game - especially if you are sitting in a front row. Standing up as a reaction to a great play is fine, assuming you're back in your seat for the next pitch.

I love standing up for the entire 9th inning if the rest of the fans in my section will join me as well. You gotta figure all of that out during the whole game to determine if its safe to get up.

But as always, alcohol will change everything and may make you a little more willing to attempt to get everyone standing.

Similarly, when there's going to be a play at the plate, everyone stands up, although everyone would see it fine if they all remained seated. If you're old and craeky and can't stand up quickly, you miss the play. People react differently to such stimuli, and like it or not, we kind of have to all meet each other halfway.

Given the situation (Gallardo going for the shutout, 1st win of the season) I think it was fine to stand and cheer. I wouldn't necessarily have done it on my own, but certainly would have if people in front of me had done so. Now, if it's a 6-3 game in June against the Nationals it's a different story.

I can see the point of wanting to be able to see the action, but on opening night when your ace is trying to finish a gem, I don't fault the young men for standing.

I've had similar situations--
In 1991, my friend and I (we were 21 at the time) were yelled at to sit down when we stood up for two strikes with two outs in the fifth inning of a Twins/Blue Jays playoff game.

That same friend and I were nearly beat up by some older drunk men at a MN Strikers indoor soccer game. We were there with our high-school friends, having a good time cheering for the Strikers. The belligerent drunks in front of us told us to sit down and shut up. It got to the point where the two men were physically threatening us. Fortunately a very large man behind us stood up and very calmly told the drunks to "Leave the kids alone. They're just enjoying the game." His size and tone drove the drunks to seats far away. If not for that man, some of us would have had to fight with the drunks over happy cheering at appropriate moments.

On Paul Simon's Rhythm of the Saints tour, the upbeat music started and the crowd rose to its feet, but very shortly thereafter our upper deck section sat back down. Being 20 at the time, my group kept on dancing. We were finally harassed into sitting and politely listening to the driving, throbbing music.

I think we've become used to passively enjoying events and life, when we should be caught up in certain moments, as the young men last night were. I think those of us who want to sit quietly (and that's me, a lot of the time) should utilize the television and leave the actual event for people inclined to paint their faces, hoot and holler, and stand and cheer. When the situation isn't conducive to standing, someone can politely point out the proper thing, e.g., tell the boys, "We're all excited, and when we get to the last batter, I'll join you in standing; but for the moment, could you please allow the rest to see?"

To me that's a no-brainer situation: sitting down should be frowned upon!

In general, I've found myself in both camps as well... I like to be able to sit and enjoy the game, so excessive standing can be obnoxious. On the other hand, if I wanted solely to watch a baseball game with no interruption, I'd watch it from the comfort of my home. If you go to a baseball game, you'll run in to baseball fans, and some of them will interact with the game differently than you. If you don't want to be bothered to stand up, stay home.

Larry, what is the condition of your lawn, specifically regarding youngsters on it?

I kid I kid. Standing because you're excited about what is happening in the game should not be frowned upon. People have different thresholds of what counts as exciting, and we don't need to cater to the lowest common denominator that late into a great game.

Stand and cheer, man!!!!

My favorite sporting events I ever went to was Cornell Big Red NCAA Hockey. Our home crowd ("the Lynah faithful") would stand for the entire game, sitting only between periods. Our visitors section always did the opposite and we basically called them lame-os all night.

I like buying tickets on rows with no one behind me. This exact question is why I prefer those seats.

I want to stand when I want, and sit when I want. If someone is enjoying the game and stands in front of me, I will also stand. If not, I stay seated.

If you've ever attended a Bruce Hornsby concert, you know that Bruce likes to have the audience come up as close to the stage as they want and stand. In some venues, this blocks the views of the folks who buy the seats up close and some get ticked off. There's nothing to appease those who get upset, and they feel like they got somewhat robbed even if they could have stood themselves.

It's a tough question, and I'm glad you devoted an article to it, Larry. My suggestion is to consider that this scenario might happen to you at any public event, so pick your seats accordingly.

I went to a Seattle Sounders soccer game a couple weeks ago with my family (wife and two kids - ages 3 and 2). The rows in front of ours decided to stand for the entire game, which I agree is appropriate at any sporting event. Unfortunately for the kids, it meant they couldn't see any of the action and they quickly lost interest.

However, I didn't begrudge the spectators in front of us the act of standing in support of the Sounders. Good for them! If you go to a game to support your team, you're genuinely excited and supportive, and in your enthusiasm you can't stay in your seat, I think that's awesome.

There's an old Saturday Night Live Skit from the Carvey-Myers era (did a quick internet search, but couldn't find it) where a couple in their 30's goes to a Van Morrison concert and the young woman sitting right in front of them stands and dances through the whole thing. It's a funny example of this exact issue.

I don't necessarily have a problem with it, but they should have openly encouraged others to stand as well with a short explanation. I think people would have obligued ... problem solved.

If it's more important to you to sit and watch a game with a perfect view than it is to experience the game alongside your fellow fans, then stay at home. It's really simple. You can't enjoy the benefits of a live game without also suffering the inconveniences - they go hand in hand. Everyone can determine for his or herself if the pros outweigh the cons. One thing they cannot do is impose restrictions on others' enjoyment of the game simply to suit their own preferences. If you want the power to do that, society is filled with such opportunities - might I suggest joining a country club?