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In honor of the stand vs sit debate I thought it would be a good idea to post the rules again.
This is from Bill Simmons back in the day. Enjoy.
"Q: What's the final ruling on standing vs. sitting at pro sports games? I'm tired of being told to sit down. I'm tired of telling grown men that if they want a totally unobstructed view of a game, then stay home. Give it to me straight for each of the three leagues that matter, and please, find a way to get these rules posted above every entrance in every sporting arena everywhere.
-- Brunz, New York
SG: Fantastic question. We had a problem with an over-stander at the Clippers games this season -- I'm all for supporting your team, but when you're consistently the only person standing in your section, and you're not drunk, you need to reevaluate things. Anyway, the rules are the same for every sport:
1. When the ball is in play, you can't make a unilateral decision for your section to stand. It's not up to you -- you need 3-4 people in your row backing you up, and everyone else in your section should follow suit within 3-4 seconds. If it doesn't catch, sit down. Or else you're being a jerk.
2. During a big play, you can't jump out of your seat erratically -- like, as somebody is shooting a jump shot (not when the jump shot actually goes in), or as the QB goes back to pass (not as the football is in the air). Try to act like a normal person. It's not hard.
3. I'm all for the whole "stand up, wave your arms and try to get everyone in your section to stand up" routine, a valuable weapon that almost always falls into the wrong hands ... but pick your spots, for God's sake. Try to have some sense of the moment.
4. When there are cheerleaders on the floor/field during a timeout, that doesn't make it OK to stand up and ogle them like you were just released from prison. That means that everyone else will have to stand up to ogle them. ... Basically, you're blowing our cover.
5. Coming out of a timeout, it's not acceptable to stand up, then tug violently at the front of your jersey hoping to get noticed by the guy working the Jumbotron camera. Unless you have a mental problem. Then it's OK.
6. I'm all for standing up and yelling at the referees; I'm the same guy who carries a list of their jersey numbers and names in my wallet. But say your piece, belt out your best "hey, ref, bend over and use your good eye!"-type joke and sit down. Don't turn it into one of those endless Lewis Black rants.
7. If you break any of these rules, and someone screams at you to "sit down," you can't turn around, remain standing and start jawing at that person -- they're just trying to watch the game, you're the one who's blocking them. Be considerate and sit down. Unless you weigh 250-plus and can kick everyone's ass. Then you should do whatever you want."
Heres the link in case you want the original.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...simmons/060526
This is from Bill Simmons back in the day. Enjoy.
"Q: What's the final ruling on standing vs. sitting at pro sports games? I'm tired of being told to sit down. I'm tired of telling grown men that if they want a totally unobstructed view of a game, then stay home. Give it to me straight for each of the three leagues that matter, and please, find a way to get these rules posted above every entrance in every sporting arena everywhere.
-- Brunz, New York
SG: Fantastic question. We had a problem with an over-stander at the Clippers games this season -- I'm all for supporting your team, but when you're consistently the only person standing in your section, and you're not drunk, you need to reevaluate things. Anyway, the rules are the same for every sport:
1. When the ball is in play, you can't make a unilateral decision for your section to stand. It's not up to you -- you need 3-4 people in your row backing you up, and everyone else in your section should follow suit within 3-4 seconds. If it doesn't catch, sit down. Or else you're being a jerk.
2. During a big play, you can't jump out of your seat erratically -- like, as somebody is shooting a jump shot (not when the jump shot actually goes in), or as the QB goes back to pass (not as the football is in the air). Try to act like a normal person. It's not hard.
3. I'm all for the whole "stand up, wave your arms and try to get everyone in your section to stand up" routine, a valuable weapon that almost always falls into the wrong hands ... but pick your spots, for God's sake. Try to have some sense of the moment.
4. When there are cheerleaders on the floor/field during a timeout, that doesn't make it OK to stand up and ogle them like you were just released from prison. That means that everyone else will have to stand up to ogle them. ... Basically, you're blowing our cover.
5. Coming out of a timeout, it's not acceptable to stand up, then tug violently at the front of your jersey hoping to get noticed by the guy working the Jumbotron camera. Unless you have a mental problem. Then it's OK.
6. I'm all for standing up and yelling at the referees; I'm the same guy who carries a list of their jersey numbers and names in my wallet. But say your piece, belt out your best "hey, ref, bend over and use your good eye!"-type joke and sit down. Don't turn it into one of those endless Lewis Black rants.
7. If you break any of these rules, and someone screams at you to "sit down," you can't turn around, remain standing and start jawing at that person -- they're just trying to watch the game, you're the one who's blocking them. Be considerate and sit down. Unless you weigh 250-plus and can kick everyone's ass. Then you should do whatever you want."
Heres the link in case you want the original.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...simmons/060526