2008 Woodie Awards
Why spring? Why football?
The Shortstop
Cory Crawford
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Sports
So I open up the inbox and read that dreaded yearly e-mail from the Arkansas Men's Athletic Department - or Arkansas Athletic Department, whatever they call themselves now.
"Razorbacks open spring football practice Thursday," the e-mail read.
Yep, it's April, meaning baseball, softball, gymnastics, tennis, golf and track all take a back seat to the excruciatingly annoying month of football practice.
For some odd reason, many people treat this as some fascinating event, but spring practice only sedates me into a near constant state of ennui.
Channeling Allen Iverson, "we're talking about practice."
Yet for the next month, people all around Razorback Nation will talk about who will replace Darren McFadden and Felix Jones or how the new defense will hold up.
But really, do we have to care?
Of course spring practice is somewhat important, especially with a new coaching staff, but it surely doesn't deserve the attention it gets. And it is nice that practices will be open to the public for those who really have nothing better to do.
As a baseball fan, I know what it's like to get over-hyped about practices, as I am always excited when spring training begins.
But there is a big difference between spring training and spring practice.
Aside from the fact that spring training pits two opposing teams against each other, the players are getting ready to start the season directly after the month of practice and fighting to make the final roster spots.
There are very few athletes that won't be playing in the fall, and while the players are definitely tuning up in the spring, the four months of nothingness between the last spring practice and the first game means the overall importance of the practices from a fans' perspective should be miniscule.
It should be said that while Arkansas fans do put too much stock in these practices, they are in no way as bad as those at other schools, which just makes me wonder if there is anything at all to do in Tuscaloosa, Ala., or Norman, Okla.
And with all my disdain for the month of spring football, I am still here, talking about it. Now this could be because I am just a negative person and want to denigrate something and spring football just happened to be between my crosshairs.
Or it could be that the football team will be getting the faithful attention of many when other UA athletes fall by the proverbial wayside.
The Lady'Backs have one of the top golfers in the country, one of the top tennis players in the country, a top 10 track team and a top 15 gymnastics team, but they will all be pushed to the side this next month while in the middle of competition for the football team's practices.
So instead of sitting by the fence of the practice fields on a Friday, go see a Diamond Hogs game, or catch a softball game or watch a marathon of Gilligan's Island, because even that is a more productive use of your time.
Cory Crawford is a senior staff writer for The Arkansas Traveler.
"Razorbacks open spring football practice Thursday," the e-mail read.
Yep, it's April, meaning baseball, softball, gymnastics, tennis, golf and track all take a back seat to the excruciatingly annoying month of football practice.
For some odd reason, many people treat this as some fascinating event, but spring practice only sedates me into a near constant state of ennui.
Channeling Allen Iverson, "we're talking about practice."
Yet for the next month, people all around Razorback Nation will talk about who will replace Darren McFadden and Felix Jones or how the new defense will hold up.
But really, do we have to care?
Of course spring practice is somewhat important, especially with a new coaching staff, but it surely doesn't deserve the attention it gets. And it is nice that practices will be open to the public for those who really have nothing better to do.
As a baseball fan, I know what it's like to get over-hyped about practices, as I am always excited when spring training begins.
But there is a big difference between spring training and spring practice.
Aside from the fact that spring training pits two opposing teams against each other, the players are getting ready to start the season directly after the month of practice and fighting to make the final roster spots.
There are very few athletes that won't be playing in the fall, and while the players are definitely tuning up in the spring, the four months of nothingness between the last spring practice and the first game means the overall importance of the practices from a fans' perspective should be miniscule.
It should be said that while Arkansas fans do put too much stock in these practices, they are in no way as bad as those at other schools, which just makes me wonder if there is anything at all to do in Tuscaloosa, Ala., or Norman, Okla.
And with all my disdain for the month of spring football, I am still here, talking about it. Now this could be because I am just a negative person and want to denigrate something and spring football just happened to be between my crosshairs.
Or it could be that the football team will be getting the faithful attention of many when other UA athletes fall by the proverbial wayside.
The Lady'Backs have one of the top golfers in the country, one of the top tennis players in the country, a top 10 track team and a top 15 gymnastics team, but they will all be pushed to the side this next month while in the middle of competition for the football team's practices.
So instead of sitting by the fence of the practice fields on a Friday, go see a Diamond Hogs game, or catch a softball game or watch a marathon of Gilligan's Island, because even that is a more productive use of your time.
Cory Crawford is a senior staff writer for The Arkansas Traveler.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
dan
posted 4/02/08 @ 8:07 AM CST
read the article above this one: 'seeking answer' and that's the answer for your question.
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