I consider myself to be a sports fan that likes to see the world of sports entertainment in the lens of a larger social spectrum. I think the people impact the sports world as much as the sports world impacts the people. I strongly believe that sports is a reflection of our society (especially in the modern age) because it caters to some of our most primal desires: conflict, combat, and victory.

That being said, I’d just like to take a moment while I’m stuck in the Anchorage airport to comment on the attempt by the Cubs organization to eject fans from the leftfield bleachers for profane or inappropriate comments made towards Alfonso Soriano.

Now I realize there is a fine line between voicing your distaste in a player versus outright vulgar abuse of the English language, but letting the Cubs be judge, jury and executioner of what is “appropriate” is a violation of the power of the fan and the basic meaning of sports.

Let me explain  by starting off with a story…

A couple years ago, my friends and I were lucky enough to score some sweet centerfield bleacher seats for a night game against the D-Backs. At this particular time, Juan Pierre was patrolling the outfield for the Cubs and he had become quite the pariah for the woes of the team.

Anyway, a ball was hit to deep center and Pierre dropped back to run it down. The ball was clearly staying in the park but it was questionable as to whether Juan had gotten a good enough jump to make the running catch. As Pierre rapidly approached the ivy, he thrust his glove up in the air at full extension only to have the ball hit off his glove and fall to the ground for an easy double.

Although it was a difficult play (a play neither my friends nor I would be able to make at any time in our lives under any circumstances), we leapt out of our seats and began to boo Pierre mercilessly. We chewed him up and spit him out. Our choice of words was mild in their vulgarity (you could hear any of the “swear” words we used on basic TV any night of the week) but our ferocity was intimidating. No one told us to sit down. No one told us to shut up. No one told us we were wrong in what we were saying.

Flash-forward to today. Would my friends and I be allowed to do this in leftfield today? Would we be told to sit down by Cubs security? Would we be escorted out of the stadium?

Here’s my point. People often put athletes and sports franchises on a pedestal (and with good reason because they are our heroes and or role models), but we – the fans – are the real bosses. We pay for Soriano’s $136 million contract. We pay for the sports cars and mansions that players own. We are the reason advertisers give the Cubs money to put their brand names all of the Wrigley.

Like I said, there is a fine line between voicing your opinion as a fan and being a rude, inconsiderate jerk. I’d like to think most people know the difference but there are always a few exceptions. I’d love to hear any stories in the future about the leftfield hushing by the Cubs. Please feel free to let me know about anything that happens to you or anyone else you may know.

Oh yeah, and if they try to kick you out of the stadium for booing any player, just remember that you’re the reason this game is even happening in the first place so maybe it’s wise to keep the fans in the seats.

ROADTRIP UPDATE #4: I’m finally on my way home and will be back near my TV with WGN and Comcast very soon. There wasn’t much to report about Cubs-related news here in Alaska (not that I’m surprised) but I did see an astonishing amount of Brewers gear on this trip. What gives with that?

 ***I apologize for any grammar or spelling errors in this post. My plane was starting to board and I kinda rushed this***