Ballpark Attitude 101

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat Dan Rosen

In what was to be an historical occasion, the first thing on my mind was seeing Randy Johnson on the hill and Mark McGwire in the batter's box.

After being thrilled by Big Mac's batting practice, we were treated to one of the most amazing things in all of sports. A rookie, Jose Jimenez, pitched a no-hitter against the Diamondbacks.

This was even more astonishing to me because it was the second no-hitter that I have seen live. Back in New York, I witnessed a disabled man, Jim Abbott, then with the Yankees, no-hit the Cleveland Indians on September 4, 1993.

That was the most exciting sporting event that I have ever seen in my life. The small crowd at Yankee Stadium was so electric that it sounded like a crowd of 80,000.

While matching New York fans in excitement that day is impossible, I got the impression the Diamondbacks' fans were unaware a no-hitter was going on. That is something that needs to be rectified.

So, for all of you new fans in this state that are interested in learning the attitude at the ballpark, here are some tidbits of advice.

1. Never, in a million years, leave the stadium when one of the pitchers is in the process of throwing a no-hitter. If you want to be a real baseball fan, you have to understand that your team can't win them all, but you never disrespect another team or player who just made history.

All the fans who left the game after the Cardinals scored in the top of the ninth should be ashamed of themselves. That was inexplicable. Just sit in the traffic for a few more minutes and witness one of the greatest achievements in all of sports.

2. If you stayed until the end of the no-hitter, then disregard No. 1, but if you stayed and didn't cheer or show any emotion for the man who celebrated one of the hardest things to do in sports, than don't even bother going to another game.

The least you could have done was give a standing ovation to Jimenez. It is pretty hard to believe, but some fans actually booed. What kind of person are you if you booed?

Not only shouldn't you go to another game, you shouldn't even watch one on TV because you're not good enough for baseball.

3. What's up with all the polo shirts? Enough already. I know this is a golf state, and I know this is the clothing that most people wear everyday. But for four hours out of the day, just kick back, relax, throw down a few brews and munch on some ballpark dogs while wearing your favorite cotton T-shirt. This isn't lunch at the Phoenician or dinner at Boulders, it's a baseball game. You'll be a lot more comfortable. So toss aside the polo shirt and break out your favorite T-shirt and baseball hat, because you're on your way to the ballpark with a reason to cheer - the Diamondbacks are in first place.