LETTER: IM players should learn sportsmanship

---

by Vijay Iyer

---

Intramural sports at Rice are often taken very seriously and the competition can be fierce. In principle I appreciate the fact that students play hard and make the games meaningful. However, last week when umping an IM softball game, I saw competitiveness and sportsmanship at its worst.

We were in the middle of the softball game when several cricket players were walking through the outfield towards a sufficiently deep area in left field where they could play. They were walking slowly and holding up our game. Several softball players starting screaming at them to get off the field.

For my part, either me or my partner should have politely asked them to move off the field as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, I found several things unacceptable.

There are no signs telling the cricket players that the field is reserved for an official game. From their perspective, and mine, there were several people enjoying a beautiful weekend playing softball, while they were going to do the same using cricket bats and balls. The softball players appeared to expect them to sprint off the field, or not play at all, both of which seem unreasonable.

One player swore at the cricket players, even after they had cleared the field, transforming the issue from field use to basic human respect.

Another player was immature enough to throw a softball at the cricket players in the outfield. I don't know if he intended to hit somebody or just to show off in a definitely uncool way, but I was appalled.

In retrospect, I should have ejected the offenders, but I can't shake the feeling that I should never have to be like an elementary-school teacher punishing little children.

Not surprisingly, the cricket players starting yelling back, in an effort to preserve their dignity. Later, amidst complaints that I didn't have the game under control, I apologized to a cricket player who showed no ill-will and politely asked how far out they should play.

The conflict was resolved on the surface and the game resumed with about 10 minutes wasted. I don't believe those 10 minutes were significant enough to justify the anger shown or the pain incurred. Like my friend said when I told him this story: "some people just don't know what sports are about."

Vijay Iyer

Lovett '98

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the March 31, 1995 issue.

Copyright © 1996 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved.
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of:
The Rice Thresher, Rice University, 6100 Main, Houston, TX 77005-1892, USA.