The Sunday Crowd

Baseball 2009, Game 85: Columbia Blowfish 8, Wilmington Sharks 2

Columbia Sloppiness: 12
Wilmington Sloppiness: 5
Most batters in one inning: 8
Hitter of the Game: Tyler McBride, Columbia (rating: 48)
Pitcher of the Game: Justin Hopper, Columbia (rating: 77)
Time of Game: 2:36
Mid-game temperature: 89 degres
Attendance: 441 (Level V sporting event)

In the South and much of rural America, church-related activities dominate Sundays. Many businesses do not open on Sunday, in fact South Carolina law prohibits most businesses from opening before 1:30 P.M. on Sundays as well as the sale of alcohol. Richland County is exempt from some of these laws, but the Blowfish were affected as well. In an attempt to get people who are off work Sunday afternoon but not Monday, the game was played at 6 P.M. Many other ball clubs do this scheduling and succeed. But on this Sunday the Blowfish did not. Only 441 fans showed up, the fewest fans the Blowfish have had in a long time sans games like late Thursday night. Even fan favorite Blowie Jr. wasn't there.

It is a shame that this is what we get for a Sunday crowd, since other days of the week many fans have to miss the game due to work-related reasons. Baseball games provide entertainment, and I can not see why baseball can't be played on Sunday. Of course Sunday's game was played, but few fans cared to show. The 6 P.M. start may not be a good idea, as some church activities are held in the evening but you still have more heat than you would with a 7 P.M. start. If you don't start at 7, do what the Knights have done in Charlotte/Fort Mill and start a 2. The problem you encounter in the Bible Belt is that many residents operate their schedules based on rituals, with church being the prime ritual. Not many people besides myself who make baseball games a ritual.

And like the second game Thursday, Columbia fans missed a rare strong performance by the Blowfish. Tyler McBride reached base all four times, including a double in the third that would lead to the first run. After Blowfish sloppiness (two walks and an error) loaded the bases for Wilmington in the top of the 4th with no out, starter Justin Hopper got out of things with only on run. Matt Leeds would then give the Blowfish the lead back right away with a home run to lead off the bottom of the inning, and the Blowfish would continue to hit well in a 8-2 win. Manager Tim Medlin had such a good day he only once yelled at the umpire, and it was only when the umpire missed an obvious call on the basepaths.

I urge more fans to see baseball when you can, it makes th players feel good and it will make you feel good as well, especially when the home team actually plays well.