Angelica Haggert
As the oldest child, I spent a fair amount
of my teen years parked in a camp chair
watching the younger ones swing wildly at a
softball that was never anywhere near the
strike zone. I have also spent countless hours
in stuffy school gyms where next to no
spectators watch as the high school basketball
team battles for the championship - complete
with a construction paper sign that says “GO
AMANDA!”
As I’ve continued my education into
university and college I’ve broadened my
viewing to varsity and adult amateur
athletics. They’re usually cheap (often free!)
and really show the heart and soul of athletes
and athletic competition.
Consider, for instance, the “beer league”
baseball team. Yes, quite often each baseman
had a beer can next to their base - and I even
heard one story about an outfielder watching
an ice bucket challenge instead of watching
for the ball - but it was an amazing experience
that could have been made better by just one
thing: spectators. Having spent so much of
my youth at Little League games surrounded
by cheering family members, looking over at
empty stands was less than encouraging. A
few friends (and Mom and Dad) came out to
the final tournament last weekend and I
played harder knowing they were watching.
Windsor-Essex offers plenty of
opportunities to grab a seat in the stands and
check out an amateur or semi-pro sport. We
have the Windsor Express, Border City
Brawlers, AKO Fratmen, and a wide variety of
U Windsor Lancer and St. Clair College
varsity teams.
Crystal Benn, St. Clair College student
and varsity badminton athlete, plays harder
knowing people are watching. “Badminton
may not seem like a spectator sport, but
having an audience pushes you to play your
Mark you calendars now!
Hocktoberfest 7, the
International Female
Hockey Festival will be
taking place in
Windsor-Essex
October 24 to 26
hardest,” Benn says. “Watching us play can
be a refreshing change from watching
professional sports - we’re here because we
love the game and we want to improve our
skills and have fun at the same time - it’s not
just about the money.”
High school athletics offer another edge
over your standard Little League game, and
often play to empty stands. “Amateur sports
can be more exciting