Imagine the thrill of going back to watch a ballgame in five-year increments from 1900 to today. Imagine the changes you’d experience. From stadiums and uniforms to advertisements and heckling.
But also the similarities. The crack of a bat. The thump of the ball hitting the glove. The feeling when walking into a stadium and seeing the green grass contrast with brown dirt. The arguments over bad calls.
And the roar. The roar of a crowd must sound the same over time. It’s the roar that fuels a love of sports. Even during games that your favorite teams are also watching, the roar is a lure. It draws your attention. You get sucked into the sound.
An extra-inning blast to center field.
A blocked punt that revitalizes a city.
When I watch replays of big plays, I will often watch the crowd. The explosion in their arms and faces. The shift from calm to clamor.
Anthony Davis’s game-winner the other night just didn’t have the same feel to it without the roar.
I’m happy sports are back, but I miss the roar.
