The fact that such a Mega-Event like the Soccer world championship was nearly ignored by 100 american broadcast stations in their program choice, not only displeases us germans, there is to think about it: Because Americans are - with regard to the television program - crazy about one: sport! What's so fascinating about football, baseball and basketball? What is it what makes the Lions (Football), Tigers (baseball) and Pistons (basketball) so worth seeing that they win the running in the transmitting time against all the soccer teams?
For such a society analysis it needs live examination material … therefore we started sceptically to look to the men with the wood racquet and their fans (or better in the joyfully excited faces). And after we had provided ourselves substantially in the numerous eating and drinking stalls with all necessary, got a place on the tribunes and listened the national anthem, we quickly figured out: The puzzle solution is quite simple!
The Americans are pleasant people who like to take it easy and settle back. Therefore, baseball suits very well to connect their lifetime habits with entertainment sporting. While in our soccer stages perseverance (first of all, vocal), stamina (also with regard to the beverages) and dynamism are asked, the game filled with breaks meets the american's needs very much: Cosily it can be secured in the breaks with a new portion of food and drinks. Then with it one places again in the wide and numerously existing plastic seats to see what's going on on the playing field and to discuss a few moves with the seat neighbor.
While in Germany fans move a lot while trying to achieve a La-Ola-wave and dancing to some club songs, in the game of the US nation there's only a 5-minutes stretching in the half of the playing time. Because, however, the placed Coke could tip over and the proudly carried caps of the supporters could slip, the movement unity is mostly hesitant and meager.
It says something about the vocal support of the fans if we can tell you that Markus (also for the first time in these rows and no tiger's supporter) was the one who cheered the loudest for the Tigers.
Nevertheless, it was a real american experience and a little part of the US-culture is now sure to us … :) !
Linda
