AP Photo/Kathy Willens
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As the regular baseball season begins to wind down, tensions among the boys of summer are running high. The most recent example: a bench clearing brawl that postponed Tuesday night's Yankees-Blue Jays game for 10-minutes. The altercation began when a runner for the Yankees, Jorge Posada, made contact with Blue Jays pitcher Jesse Carlson as he crossed home plate. "As [Posada] ran past Carlson, he gave him a little shove with his elbow," Plate Umpire Jim Joyce explained before adding that "it was very unsportsmanlike." The altercation drew criticism from fans and other players and, with the playoffs just around the corner, is considered a dangerous move for any team.
Though the fight may be an example of poor sportsmanship, it's also a sign that, though the season is winding down, passions are still strong among players and many fans. Indeed, this is the part of the season most people wait all summer for. Being excited or under pressure, however, is no reason to be discourteous, whether you're a player or a fan.
Being courteous, of course, is something that extends far beyond the baseball diamond and involves more than passing the snack plate to your friend. It requires an awareness of others and a willingness to consider their needs. It relates to players on the field and a room full of friends, but it also speaks to the way we exist in, and with, the environment. Watching a baseball brawl may make you want to throw the punch of recycling righteousness or swing the bat of carbon-footprint pretension, but it should remind us that, sometimes, more subtle actions are required.
Baseball itself, has slowly become a fan of subtle green action. From carbon-neutral ball parks to bamboo bats, there are a lot of green initiatives associated with America's favorite pastime. But visiting a green stadium or rooting for a team with eco-friendly equipment is not the only way you can get in the green game.
Try some of these tips for expressing your passion for baseball the green way:
Throw a Green Game-Night Party
When you invite your friends over to watch the end-of-season games, make sure your get-together keeps the planet in mind as well as the score. Our guide to throwing a green dinner party is a great place to start looking for ideas. When it comes to beverages, consider offering organic beer and for food, look no farther than Emeril's Green Team Tailgate recipes.
Play a Green Backyard Game
Watching baseball on TV can be exciting at times, but getting outside to play a game with friends and family is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the late-summer weather. When collecting equipment for your game, consider splurging on a bamboo baseball bat, or rescuing an old one from your local thrift shop. Also take care to treat your equipment with respect, especially baseball gloves, to ensure they last as long as possible.
The next few months will be an exciting time for baseball, both in the major leagues and in backyards across the country. It's important that we enjoy the game responsibly and consider the wellbeing of others as well as the planet.
Read more about going green with sports:
How to Go Green: Sports
5 Reuses for: Baseball Hats
Wash Your Baseball Cap with the Dishes
Hit a Home Run with Proper Baseball Bat Care
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