I go to a lot of games during the course of a school year. Everything from football to the other football (soccer), I'm there. And I hear a lot of things while I'm on the sidelines - not all of it uplifting or encouraging.
It's interesting to listen to the people in the stands. Some are intent on the game and breaking it down intelligently. Others are convinced that the referees are out to get their kid and keep him/her from getting that all-important college scholarship. Others parrot what they've heard on TV, and still others are only there for the social life.
I don't think some people realize how much their voices carry. For whatever reason, whether it's the pitch or the fact that they speak from their diaphragm or whatever, some voices can be heard on the other side of the state. And, of course, those seem to be the people who just know that their kid is the next Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning or whatever superstar they choose in that particular sport.
I heard one parent at a college soccer game, after she expressed her extreme displeasure with the way the game was being called (it was apparently going against her kid's team) and following a goal by her kid's team, say that "the ball knows." What? I'm sure she thought she was being clever or something, but really? The ball knows?
It's easier to hear the parents/fans at indoor events - volleyball, basketball, wrestling. Those are generally where you hear the parrots - "get them off" and "call it both ways" can be heard at every basketball court anywhere in the world. I don't hear as much at volleyball, probably because there's not a lot the fans can disagree with. Volleyball is a little less subjective, although there are fans who will argue line calls. With wrestling, parents/fans tend to repeat whatever the coaches are saying with the phrase "stick him" or the word "squeeze" thrown in for good measure.
Of course, on televised events, you can't help but hear the people next to the microphones. Some are OK, but some are just obnoxious. The obnoxious ones make me wish for a selective mute system where I could block them but not the announcers (in some cases) or the sounds of the game. My personal "favorite" is the idiot at professional golf tournaments who shouts "get in the hole" after every putt attempt and sometimes on tee shots.
It takes all kinds, I suppose.
Me? I just talk to my camera. I'm usually fairly close to the action - closer than the parents/fans - and I try not to argue calls or disagree with the referees. I have two reasons for that. One, I'm supposed to be a professional covering the game which means I'm supposed to be objective. Two, the referees could actually hear me and know it was me. I don't want that. They might throw me out of the game and then where would I be? Horribly embarrassed and unable to do my job.
So I just talk to the camera. My hands usually obscure my mouth when I'm taking pictures, so you can't read my lips (I hope). I do occasionally shake my head at what appear to be egregiously bad calls or non-calls, but I do my best to keep my opinions to myself.
At least in that arena.
