Question of the Week
Are football lines on a field enough of a distraction for a TFBO2F reader to stop watching a televised lacrosse game?
Someone mentioned to TFB02F that they stopped watching a game broadcast from Cornell last week because the lines were too distracting. We felt the same way about the Loyola-Syracuse game that MASN showed on delay this past weekend. If TFBO2F has a dog in the hunt, that's one thing. But if it's two teams about whom we have no professional or personal curiousity, the football lines determine whether we keep watching or search for a "CSI:" rerun.
Here's a couple examples. Though they are not from televised broacasts--they look more like coach's films--they provide a good balance because they are shot from the same angle.
What do the readers think? Should we be happy that lacrosse is on TV at all? Or do the football lines make the sport look second-rate, the way they did the NASL and early MLS games? Were people surprised that the NCAA has awarded quarterfinals to Princeton ('07) and Cornell (this year), each of which has football lines on its field?
By Christian Swezey |
April 1, 2008; 1:14 PM ET
Previous: Today's Games |
Next: Over at Laxpower...
Posted by: Mike | April 1, 2008 1:47 PM
For perspective, I just watched a game from 1985 that a friend shared with me and I was amazed by all the dust constantly kicked up around the crease! Having played in that era, it warmed my heart at first but then it reminded me of bad bounces and mouthfulls of mud, and the nostalgia quickly left. I think I've only seen one time this year that a player was confused by multiple lines. To me, if the field has a positive effect on the players (good footing, true bounces, etc.) then I'm fine with the synthetic field and the obligatory stripes. Better lacrosse is what I tune in to see.
Posted by: Timbosky | April 1, 2008 3:06 PM
I don't mind the lines so much, as long as lacrosse is on TV. it does, however, sometimes make it difficult to tell where the box lines are. Sometimes I start screaming "10 seconds!" and then I realize that they player is already in the box.
I agree, though, that it looks much more professional when there are no other lines on the field. In a similar thing, it shows how big-time a college basketball program is when you watch one of their games on TV and determine whether there are volleyball court lines on the court.
If I'm not mistaken, I think you can remove those lines from field turf fields (it's not easy, but I think you can). Here's hoping they do for the final fours.
Posted by: Incredulous | April 1, 2008 8:58 PM
From a soccer fan's perspective:
I hate the lines but, I see them as a necessary evil. Try watching the NY MLS team that plays at Giants Stadium (I can't seem to actually type their name ;-) )
Anyway, growing pains are hard but required. Keep growing the game and supporting it and eventually the lines can go away. Most MLS teams have or will have their own stadiums soon. Maybe college lacrosse programs will get there one day. Till then, enjoy your game on TV and take all the positives from it that you can.
Posted by: marksman | April 2, 2008 2:01 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
It definitely takes away from the enjoyment of watching the game. I don't even like seeing women's lines on the field.