View My Seats

At the Intersection of Sports and Culture

Photo Credit for Header: Alex Foucre-Stimes

Somebody Left the Faucet Running in the Big House

by

Growing up, we had a pond in our backyard that would freeze every winter and I would invite all my friends over for pond hockey.  I had a group of about 8 or so close friends and I was the only one who did not play for the varsity hockey team (I happened to be a proud member of the basketball team instead).  Needless to say, for me, pond hockey was never about being good but rather all about being outside and enjoying the winter elements with a group of buddies.

One of my favorite parts about playing pond hockey were the snowbanks that served as our out of bounds markers/boards.  Since I was not what you would call a “strong skater”, the snowbanks became my only means of stopping.  I can remember spending more time on my backside in a snowbank than actually skating on the pond.  Nevertheless, I have incredibly fond memories of playing pond hockey which is one of the reasons why I enjoy watching outdoor hockey games today.

Yesterday, a record 113,411 people packed into Michigan Stadium to watch the Wolverines take on their cross state rivals Michigan State in a hockey game dubbed “The Big Chill in the Big House”.  This was the largest crowd to ever watch an outdoor hockey game.  It was also the largest crowd to see any event in Michigan Stadium, including football.

Outdoor hockey has a ton of momentum right now.  HBO is about to air the “24/7: Road to the Winter Classic” which will preview the New Year’s Day NHL game outside in Heinz Field between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals. The Winter Classic has become must watch TV and a very nice lead into the Rose Bowl later that afternoon. The question that should be asked is why wouldn’t the NHL and NCAA schedule more games outside?

Thanks to my friend @dgstern6 for the view.  As a “Michigan Man” he would have loved to watch the game but unfortunately he was busy changing a flat tire in New Jersey. Jersey City is a long way from Ann Arbor buddy!!!

Share your views.

View of the Day: November 17, 2010

by

This photo was taken roughly 10 minutes prior to tipoff at American Airlines Arena before last night’s Miami Heat 123-96 victory over the Phoenix Suns. And where are all the people?  I can remember Miami having attendance issues last season, when they were a mediocre team at best, but this year?  With the three biggest off-season free agent acquisitions (Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh) I figured Miami fans would be turning out early and often.  I watched parts of this game and can tell you that the arena did fill up eventually.  However, we are less than a month into the season and I figured fans would be a bit more present/vocal.

What accounts for the overall malaise in Miami? Part of the economic turndown or are fans, like the Heat players themselves, just waiting for the playoffs to give it their best?  Share your views.

View of the Day: 2010 NYC Marathon

by

Nice to see viewmyseats was well represented at today’s New York City Marathon.  Marathon Day is always a very festive day in the city where the finest conditioned athletes in all the world are cheered on by an eclectic mix of merry, occasionally overserved, New Yorkers.

Plenty of good stories surrounding this years marathon. Former Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer is raising money for charity and rescued Chilean miner Edison Pena is putting his new found celebrity on the line as well.

Every year, the NYC Marathon arrives and I tell myself that next year will be the year that I finally train for and enter a marathon. So, you heard it hear first, next year I’m going to train for and enter the 2011 NYC Marathon.  Who’s coming with me?  Share your views.

View of the Day: November 1, 2010

by

Congrats to the the San Francisco Giants and their loyal fans on winning the 2010 World Series.  Tim Lincecum beat Cliff Lee twice in the series and Edgar Renteria, your soon to be retired series MVP, had the biggest/loudest hit of the post season with his 3 run homerun off Lee in the top of the 7th inning.

Where do we go from here?  The Giants could be set up for the next few years.  Their pitching staff is young/under contract and Buster Posey may very well end up winning the Rookie of the Year award.  On the other hand, the Texas Rangers are sure to lose Cliff Lee to the Yankees, and will face a much tougher road in getting back to the World Series.

I’m happy for Giants fans and the city of San Francisco.  56 years is a long time to wait for a championship.  Cubs fans, I can only imagine.  Share your views.