Why Weren't You at Practice Yesterday?

Keeping up with sports can be an overwhelming task in today's world. There are multiple television channels dedicated entirely to sports, or, in the case of the NFL Network, dedicated to one sport. The Internet provides endless amounts of game analysis, statistics, and background stories for every sport you can imagine. The sports television channels have become so successful that they have spun off their own radio show versions. Not that TV came before sports talk radio but, ESPN existed as a television channel before it did as station on the radio. So, for the times that you are away from a TV, you can listen to people talk about sports.

Don't get me wrong about all of this, I enjoy it as much as the next person. But, you would think that with all of the media dedicated to sports, we wouldn't be concerned about not being able to watch an important game during a crucial part of the season. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened the other night. This past Friday night there was a televised MLB game (Red Sox vs.Yankees) and a televised NBA game (Cavs vs. Bulls). I have no problem with either of these games being shown. My issue lies with the fact that in one of the most exciting years in a long time for the NBA they did not show the Suns / Rockets game. The two games that I mentioned were on two channels. Two. That's it. There wasn't one other available channel to show the Suns / Rockets. The NBA season is winding down. The Western Conference is in a tight playoff race and, somehow, the NBA didn't bother showing the game. I bet a lot more people would have tuned in to that game then the Cavs / Bulls. Especially, after watching the Cavs get beaten by a weaker team.

Not showing the Suns / Rockets game on Friday night was irritating, but, it didn't aggravate me until I happened upon ESPN2 on Saturday morning. ESPN2 was televising the Florida Gator's spring football game! The game came complete with commentators and everything. Not just any announcers, either. They brought out their College Football GameDay crew. Spring football games are a fun event...for the players, students, towns, and university. They are the culmination of a lot of hard work that went into spring practice and it provides a great atmosphere for everyone involved. The fans don't bring their do or die attitude that comes with the regular season. The coaches aren't afraid to take chances and have a little fun.

However, let's be honest with ourselves. A spring game is a glorified practice. Coaches are on the field observing and correcting mistakes made by the players. The “game” is scripted. For the most part, the offensive coaches know what the defensive coaches are running and vice versa. The projected starting quarterback usually doesn't get tackled. I mean, the referee's wear shorts for crying out loud!

There is no reason for spring games to be on television...unless...you can use it for a recruiting tool. I mean, sure, national signing day already happened. But, it's never too late to think about next, next season. The kids who are being recruited get a chance to see the teams that they are thinking of joining. They get to see the fun and excitement that the spring game offers. The commentators tell stories and give background information on the team. It is a great recruiting tool, but it doesn't make good sports television. In fact it makes terrible sports television.

So, please, please, stop using television as a blatant recruiting method. Instead, put on games that have some meaning. Games that matter in a playoff race. Games that pit two good teams against each other. Games that will stir up some interest in their respective league. Games that are the reason sports were televised in the first place...to be entertaining.