Sports and Covid- Covid is in the clear lead-even more than Secretariat in the 1973 Belmont!

lousubcap

I am reminded that this Sunday the Indianapolis 500 will be run without fans.
Just announced that the Kentucky Derby will run Sep 5th also without fans.  
College football-next?
Thoughts/opinions welcomed. 

GregW

I really don't see the point of events without fans, But I guess it's really all about the money. At least they can make money from the broadcast fees.

Dondgc

GregW said:

I really don't see the point of events without fans, But I guess it's really all about the money. At least they can make money from the broadcast fees.

So actually you DO see the point of sports without fans...😀

HeavyG

My sympathies to those folks that would like to attend these events, however, since I watch almost all my sporting events on the telly I personally couldn't care less if the park/arena/stadium/coliseum/course/etc. is packed with fans or not. Just glad some of these events are able to be played.

CigarCityEgger

They’ve done a pretty admirable job making the games seem more “crowded” than they really are. Stadiums pump in crowd noise, home team songs/anthems playing after a home run or goal. Then you’ve got cardboard cutouts/zoom type viewings showing fans like they’re right there. I’m interested to see how college and NFL will present their live viewing. Bruce Arians mentioned the Saints pumping in crowd noise in one of his recent videos (Bucs play them week 1). So I’d imagine all NFL teams will do the same. 

Being a season ticket holder, we received a credit for next years games and if/when fans are allowed in the stadium we get first dibs on purchasing single game tickets. My plan is just to watch from home this year, although if we make the playoffs and things are looking better by January I will probably go if able to. 

JohnInCarolina

Baseball is probably my favorite sport, after college basketball.  And all I know is that it’s just not the same.  I’ve tried to get into MLB and even the NBA under the pandemic and just haven’t been able to.  

lousubcap

I can only comment on MLB and the final round of a golf tournament but I am there (better than nothing) now.  The first time I attempted to watch the first golf tournament this season I quit after 45 minutes as the atmosphere was so different but then resolved to get with it or give it up.
"Even old dogs can learn new tricks."  FWIW-   

gonepostal

https://www.wsfa.com/2020/08/21/ahsaa-leader-state-superintendent-address-football-fans-not-social-distancing/

High school football started last night in Alabama. College ball starts (?) 6 Saturdays from now with 20% capacity. I’m not overly optimistic about completing the season but hoping for the best.

HeavyG

I'm a baseball fan and my team is playing the Marlins tonight. When the Marlins are at home there are never any fans in the stands anyway so the pandemic hasn't really changed anything for them. 

My wife is a big tennis fan and she hasn't missed the lack of fans in the stands. Just the opposite as the lack of roudy/obnoxious fans has meant fewer interruptions/delays of play. On the other hand the pandemic has caused so many top ranked players to drop out of the US Open that it may not be worth watching anyway fans or not.

thetrim

I've watched a lot of the Rays' games this year.  It is strange, but they often have as little as 10k and it seems closer to 5k and some of the Mon, Tues games during non Covid times. 

I remember a game last year, the visiting team had the "shift" on for one of the Rays player.  He laid down a nice bunt to the non-shift side, and the pitcher let out a pretty loud "f@#k" that was very audible throughout the stadium and the broadcast. 

thetrim

My son and I have watched a lot of NASCAR for the first time in many, many years.