Sociology of Sports – Baseball

on that bear down atomic number 18 several(prenominal) theoretical perspectives of flavour at romps from the sociology of sports regard including conflict, functionalist, interactions, and feminist. The most useful though, in get wording at the sociology of sports is the functionalist positioning. Functionalist regard sports as an almost religious institution that uses ritual and eucharist to reinforce the common value of a society (Ekern, 2013). This means that functionalist view sports by the competition and patriotism of the younger generation and assist in maintaining a persons corporal condition.Not only do sports function as a safety valve for the viewers and the athletes for shedding withering and tension energy in a bearing that is socially acceptable, only when sports also assist in the joining of members of a community. The functionalist view seems to be the most appropriate e reallywhere the other views in examining the sociology of sports. There are m what ever reasons why the functionalist view is the most useful to use in viewing the sociology of sports.A big reason why the functionalist view is break up is because many small communities spread throughout the world are built upon sports, especially in small communities that are not near any big cities. Sports are all they put up in common and displace the communities. Another reason is that the spectators and athletes of all snip act in a distinct manner when they are either watching the sport or compete it, which is normally in an aggressive manner. When they are not watching the sport or discussing it they are usually completely polar wad.The last in force(p) reason is that it does help to maintain a persons physical appearance, whether it is athletes staying in shape so they can be in crystallize condition to compete or people that are ran by the estimate of sports and want to stay in shape just alike(p) the athletes do. Sociology of sports, also referred to as sport s sociology, is the study of the relationship between sports and society (Crossman, 2013). Aside from the functionalist view on sports sociology there other knowledge instals of study that are closely sideed at, much(prenominal) as sports and gender, sports and media, and sports and gender and identity.Sports and gender targets man and women playing sports. Women were not dismantle allowed to play sports until after the 1930s because it was considered too masculine for them. Even in todays get along with you never hear of women playing football game or hockey, except maybe as a kid at school, and that is even very rare. like a shotadays though in some sports they defy a mens team up and a womens team, such(prenominal) as basketball. There are even women that train in hand-to-hand struggle and boxing. The media is also another study of the sociology of sports that plays the plunk fors on the television.While the media will penetrate the men on football, basketball, bas eball game, hockey, boxing and pro wrestling, the sports that are usually cover for the women are figure skating, diving, gymnastics, and skiing. The media will also keep the audiences informed of thespians accomplishments and achievements. The gender identity of sports is another topic that often looked at because of sports having gender specific roles that is acceptable by society. Women are generally forever and a day treated more harshly in sports than men especially at younger ages.One reason that sports engage scholarly interests is because of the teaching of main(prenominal) values (Lewis, 2008). Sports sociology has studied higher education and sport and sport as a functional alternative to religion. Gender and racial discrimination in sports have also been studied, as well as social mobility on the basis of sport success that includes race and gender Another area that has been studied is the social problems of the sport that includes drugs, sports violence, and injuries. As you can see, all areas and aspects of sports, whether it was in the late(prenominal) or present day have been studied and as ever to any debate any ace has a different view and perspective. There is no right or wrong answers to the sociology of sports, just opinions on different circumstances. The reason that people get in in sports, whether it is a caramel, faker, or a business is for the have it off of the sport and the cabbages. Some people just love the sport, while others try to make as big a profit as they can. Sports answer to a humans needs by providing a competitive entertaining experience.Sports can be explained from a sociological point of view as a necessity to most communitys different needs and circumstances. baseball game is a favorite pas sentence that dates as far back as 2000 B. C. with a ball and stick fiber games. However, the first rules were written by Alexander Cartwright, considered to be the Father of fresh baseball (Penn, 2006). Alexander was part of the NY Knickerbockers, which was the first organization to play baseball in America that was established on September 23, 1845. In 1858, the subject field Association of Base BallPlayers (NABBP) were created and known as the first baseball league. It wasnt until 1860 though, that it was commonly referred to as the National pastime in several publications. baseball game is one of Americas most played sports and continually competitive against other teams and between individuals, especially in todays age of baseball. The Sociodemographic description of fans and players of baseball is simple. The average MLB player rakes in over $2,000,000 a year if they are eligible for arbitration, which could come from disparate socioeconomic groups and from different countries.The average fan has an income of 30,000 to 40,000 a year and the high up luxury seats are for professionals that are in a very high income bracket and the corporate types. Being that baseball is very normal and has a very high income potential, it is definitely a professional sport. Baseball fits in to contemporary American life by giving fans something to always talk just about. This sport gives society a certain set of values that fans and players live by. There are also culture trends that have wedge the sport of baseball.In fact, look at the roster of just about any Major League Baseball team, and youll find many of the most talented players coming from Latin American countries (Thomas, 2007). The media constantly reports on baseball, which gives the fans something to always talk, such as if they lost or won a game. If you look at the players, most of them are younger in age and usually are not over 40. All major league players are also male, which affect the views for the fans on the sport. As a beginning sociologist, the heart of baseball as a social institution is very clear.Baseball is talked about, whether it is off season or every game, either loss or win, that gives fans somethi ng to always talk about. Over half of America enjoys this past time and every single one of them has their own opinion, depending on their team of superior and the opposing teams. Baseball is a sport that is great to attend in person, in order to get the full effect of the national past time. The baseball game that I had the chance of observing was the Rangers versus the Angels. The setting of the baseball field was split between the Ranger fans, which was a home game and the Angels fans.The field was a big diamond shape with for bases that the players have to rank after a successful hit to the ball that the pitcher is throwing at them. There were also players from the opposing team that were stationed at each base and in the field closer to the stands. I notice that the environment changed drastically after each successful hit that made it close to the stands. almost of the fans would stand with excitement and all the players would scramble to get the ball and the player that hi t it would try to run to as many bases before the is interpreted control of.The fans that were at the game that I attended were in their mid(prenominal) 20s to early 40s. The fans were a majority of men, but there were women there too. It seemed like a majority of the fans also wore their favorite player shirts and got excited every time the player hit the ball. It seemed that the fans age ration compared to the players were on the said(prenominal) levels. Most baseball player retires by time their 40, so the age comparison was evenly matched, from what I saw. The social behaviors that stood out were most fans would leveraging a hot dog and beer from the concessions. It is always tradition to purchase a hot dog, some of the fans would say. Fans would also be in groups for supporting(a) their favorite teams. One special language and knowledge that characterizes the sport is radical Run. One particular behavior that I witnessed at the game was that when one team is winning the fan s are excited and cheering and when their favorite team is losing they are booing and unhappy. Being at the Rangers game made me aware of peoples behavior and surroundings and was a great experience to participate in. Sports use to be a big part of my life when I was a kid.I can remember collecting the Tops baseball cards with the hard piece of gum in it. It seems that every time I got some money I would go purchase the cards. Now that I look back, I realize that was my sociology behavior of being a fan. I also played baseball in school a lot, as well as other sports, such as football and basketball. When I was playing my attitude always changed to a competitive disposition and I always got the mindset of crushing the opposing team. When I look back, I was two different people when I switched from a fan to a player and vice versa.The experiences of being a fan and a player as a kid didnt have a huge impact to my heavy(p) life. I think that maybe that I played and watched sports to o much as a kid, because I usurpt have much interest in sports in my adult life. I read the newspaper to learn who wins and who is playing, but that is about it. I just learn enough to hold a conversation with my coworkers and friends and thats it. So I guess the role that it plays in my life is that I played and watched it so much that it has caused me to lose interest in it.I can see how my experiences can connect me to others who are sports fans and participants. Sports are very big for kids in school and always have been. Most kids have shared the experiences that I have growing up. Im not sure if they still sell Tops, but nonetheless kids are slow influenced and they do what everyone else is doing. Since so many adults like to watch sports and participate, it is a unattackable assumption to say that most kids participate in some way or another, whether it is being a fan or participating in the sport itself.ReferencesCrossman, A. (2013). Sociology of Sports. Retrieved from ht tp//sociology.about.com/od/Disciplines/a/Sociology-Of-Sports.htm. Ekern, J. (2013). Looking at Sports from Four theoretical Perspectives. Retrieved from Article at Colorado Technical University Online. Lewis, J. (2008). Sociology of Sports. Retrieved from Kent State University at http//www.cengage.com/ usage/enrichment_modules/data/0495598127_Sociology_of_Sports-mod_watermark.pdf. Penn, F. (2006). Early History of Baseball in America. Retrieved from Favorite Traditions. Com at http//www.favoritetraditions.com/baseball.html. Thomas, W. (2007). Sports How Culture Impacts Our Choices. Retrieved from Ezine Articles at http//ezinearticles.com/?SportsHow-Culture-Impacts-Our-Choices&id=932334.