I've Got the Fever!

I'd like to take a blog moment to discuss the sports in this town - we've got a few! But let's take a look at things and put things in perspective... just looking at the 'professional' side of things.

We've got hockey. We used to have a minor league team... couldn't support that, apparently. Now we have an 'amateur' team, which I've heard is pretty damn good. Haven't seen them, though.

We used to have an Arena Football team, for that matter. They didn't have the City's support, either - we lost them quite awhile, ago.  I thought the whole league just folded... but no, there's still teams out there. Just not here.

Did you know Indy has a women's professional football team, the Indiana Speed? Yep... there is a league out there and we do have a team. But they have no stadium... they play at a City park.

So that's the 'rarely heard of' professional sports that, sadly, get no support... at all. Well, very little, anyway... So moving on the the 'known' sports...

We have a minor league baseball team that plays at the best minor league stadium in the nation. The Indianapolis Indians have been in this City for 125 years. Did you know they celebrated that milestone this year? Many don't. They get some good support, as a minor league team... I think they deserve more - they have made the playoffs in year's past, and even came close again this year. Yet, I've never been to a game with the stands even remotely full. And this is America's past time...

Then there's the Indiana Pacers. We're a basketball state. Yet, they even have problems filling the stands in recent years. Why? Well, since Reggie Miller left, they've just had some off years...we all know this City doesn't seem to support a team unless they're "winning". That and I guess the Pacer's had a few years of some controversy. But that really shouldn't effect the fan base that much... not if they're loyal. But apparently, not so much.

Of course there's the Colts. Everyone supports to Indianapolis Colts! Cause they're "Winning"!! Wait... not so much this year. I know ten years ago, you could buy a ticket at the last minute and sit up high... with an entire bleacher bench to yourself that you could lay down and take a nap on. The Colts were horrible when Peyton first showed up... and the City didn't support them like they do now. Now, the NEW stadium sells out and you see a sea of blue throughout. But how long will that last... the Colts will likely be 0-3 after this weekend. Will it soon go back to the way it used to be? Will all the band wagon jumpers once again bail because they are no longer winning? So sad...

Which brings me to the real point of this blog... the one team in the City that seems to be consistently winning, yet no one chooses to jump on this band wagon. Our WNBA team, the Indiana Fever. They've been in the playoffs every year since 2005, and even made the finals one of those years (though they didn't win). Yet, even though they are such a good team, playing a sport that the state is known for, they have trouble GIVING tickets away... literally. Why is that? Why can't this City get behind them as a team? Is it because it's a women's sport? Do people not know about them?

Eric and I have been to 2 games this year - which is nothing to brag about. We're just as guilty as everyone else in not supporting all the other teams out there. But the fact that they can't even fill the lower level for a game... well, that's just sad. There's no reason not to go - it's a good team. We even have the League MVP on on the team. We went to their playoff game on Monday (which they won, by the way), which was the final game of round one of the playoffs. Like any playoff game for any sport, the atmosphere is great - very competitive and the energy just spikes during the last minutes! Everyone gets loud and you can't help but get loud, too!

So my point... if you live in Indy, get out there and support them! I know it's the end of their season, but they ARE in the playoffs - go to a game (or two)! Let's fill up Conseco for them for once! They deserve it. Go see some professional basketball that isn't all about the showboating - it's kind of refreshing watch professional athletes that AREN'T overpaid!

Go Fever!