[July 20, 2014] One advantage of living near a large park in New York City is the ability to get away from the hustle during the week. It offers a time to relax a little and for those so inclined, a chance to see a game or two played by locals. Playing sports in the park is something that is part of the culture here and it seems everyone enjoys their time. Being observant, it is not hard to notice the popularity of certain sports and how people conduct themselves on their team.
The sports played here are basketball, fast-pitch softball, soccer, tennis, and cricket. Baseball is by far the most popular and has a greater number of fans who attend. The teams usually have uniforms or just the same color shirt and hat. The least popular is cricket and not too surprising given its English origins, but it is played religiously by two local teams.
Except for tennis, teams are generally young men in their 20s and 30s. I rarely see a women’s team playing and I’m not sure why. The park is in a densely populated area so noise can be a point on contention. The basketball players are the noisiest and far more profane language is heard. Parents usually steer their children away from this area. Both baseball and basketball have the most devoted, passionate players. Sometimes one will hear a heated argument but I’ve never seen a fistfight.
Most of the people who are in the park are there for a walk. They often stop to watch a game or two. I’m known to watch some of it too.
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