The Sports Guy

     It is often debated in sports that playing at their home court or field gives a team an advantage over their opponent. Is this philosophy true or is it merely a myth?
     When it comes to teams at GCSU, the answer fluctuates. Basketball, one of the more hyped sports at this school, has a home court advantage. The men’s basketball team went 8-4 at home this year and the women’s basketball team was 11-1 at home. Playing a basketball game at your home stadium has several advantages over the opposition.
     One advantage the home team exercises over the visitors is the team practices on that court every day. They are familiar with the layout of the court, the hoop, and develop secrets of the court.
     A second advantage is the stadium or arena will typically be filled with home supporters. Home team fans generally have better access to seats. In the Centennial Center, sections behind the hoops are reserved for students.
     In addition, stadium/arena sound effects, cheerleaders, and other means pump up the crowd and help heighten the home team’s emotions.
     The same arguments bode well for the baseball team. As of April 18, 2007 the baseball team is 17-4 at home. Familiarity is more valuable for the home team in baseball. The home team knows which gaps in the outfield will give them the best hit and which boundary is the easiest to hit home runs to. They also are familiar with the terrain of the field. For example, they know the best way to play a ball off the fence.
     Some teams are not as fortunate as basketball and baseball. The cross country team and the golf teams do not have a permanent home.  Even though the golf team hosted the Peach Belt Conference tournament at the Harbor Club in Eatonton. It was not a home event.
     No student is going to drive 30 minutes to Eatonton to watch the golf team. The tournament should have been held at Little Fishing Creek Golf Course. That is where we practice and the course we are familiar with. We need to give these teams the same respect as the other teams and give them a place in Milledgeville to play where students can rally behind them.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 20 2007. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry