Recently I was sitting in the bleachers at a baseball game and I took a moment to look at the fans that surrounded me. Most were adorned in their team colors, some wore jerseys of their favorite players - there were even toddlers and small babies decked out in the appropriate colors to somehow ensure that the fan base would flourish and continue to grow. It was not difficult at all to tell which team each person was cheering for. Some of these fans arrived early, some came late, some watched attentively the entire time while others chatted away on cell phones and frequented the concession stands as much as possible. Others partied in the stands as if this were part of the social scene with no real interest in who would win or lose. And of course there were the clock watchers hoping to get a head start on the traffic that would hit directly after the game.
As I sat there during the top of the 6th inning contemplating on exactly which category I fell into - a fight broke out between two fans from opposing teams. It did not stop the game, nor did it garnish the attention of the players on the field or the umpires. The two men threw punches at one another and screamed ugly phrases at each other about how the other fan's team was a bunch of "losers and idiots". They defended their own team's players as if it were a matter of life and death. It occurred to me that these two men were so blinded by team loyalty that they could not bring themselves to see or admit that the other fan's team members were quite accomplished and actually brought a lot of talent into the game. They failed to realize that the opponents on the field actually challenged each other and brought out the best in each of them for the benefit of all the fans.
We have all been guilty of sitting in the stands and not looking at the individually gifted players . We have judged them by the uniforms they wore on their backs. We have nonchatlantly ignored the blatant mistakes of our own team members or made excuses for them and at the same time we have called foul and looked for fault at any good plays made by members of an opposing team. We have looked at the talents of any opposing team members and seen them as a threat. Because we had chosen our team before the game even started we had already made up our minds that the opposing team was substandard at best. If they happenned to win it would be a fluke and an injustice.
Politics plays out much in the same way. We are brought up by our family and friends to follow a "team" and at a very early age we are predispositioned to believe that everything our team does is right and everything the opposing "team" does is always wrong. We are forced into choosing a side - republican or democratic - or we can go to the minor leagues and choose an indepentdent. We are taught to judge our political leaders and candidates by the party they represent, not for that individual's character or his accomplishments.
These leaders and candidates are forced to pick a team as well - they are forced to pick a team so that they will have the support they need to get into the game and out of the dugout. Unfortunately when this happens the candidate or leader automatically becomes a threat to anyone not associated with his team. That candidate is labeled for life and any good that he could have brought to the table will be fought or opposed by the other teams. Half the nation's willingness to work with any good idea that candidate may have will disappear because the opposing teams refuse to give up a "win" strictly out of fear of losing their "fans." Just like in the world of sports - having more fans in politics means more money and more financial support. So in the end the battle of power, money and fans ultimately becomes the focus - taking up more time and energy than should be spent on working together and cultivating the good ideas no matter where they came from.
There are many players in the game today that have the talent to play great but have no heart for the game - there are many players that have great heart but possess little talent to play. The great players have both the talent and the heart to play and most importantly they have the ability to maintain focus - they are the ones we wait for and those are the ones that make history. I am looking for a candidate that has talent, heart and the ability to maintain focus. Someone that can recognize a problem, find a solution and see that it is handled efficiently. Someone who can stand up for the principals this country was founded on and not be seduced or swayed by power or money. Someone who puts his country and other Americans before himself. And when this leader reveals himself I will not be looking at the color of his uniform. I will not be blinded by the party he represents - I will be influenced by his accomplishments and his character.
So I guess the answer to the question I asked myself about what kind of fan am I would be - I am the kind of fan that appreciates the talent and drive exibited on the field, I am open to becoming a fan of all the great players no matter what team they play for. I guess I am just a fan of the game.
God Bless America & Play Ball!
Words from the Average Amercan -
Amanda Schalau
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