Watching baseball is less of an activity and more of a lifestyle. It's a
lifestyle with a community far larger than most. And, if you're from Detroit,
it's not a community you can choose. This isn't the east coast, where everyone
dons a Yankee hat to make a fashion statement. This is Detroit. And there is
only one available community: The one that fills Comerica Park 81 times per
year and cheers on the Tigers.
Let’s just get this out of the way: Detroit Tigers fans share in a brand
community. “Brand communities are groups of consumers who develop relationships
based on shared interests or product usage.” (Babin/Harris, 148) The Detroit
Tigers organization is a brand that may be more talked about than any other in
the summer months. Through wins and losses and injuries, many Detroiters are
customers and seemingly all Detroiters have something to say.
Next, Detroit Tigers fans belong to an informal group. “An informal
group is a group that has no membership or application requirements, and codes
of conduct may be nonexistent.” (Babin/Harris, 149) Detroiters never had to
sign anything to wear the Old English “D” across their chests. Although, that
would have been nice, just ask Miguel Cabrera. The only code of conduct would
be the need to keep behavior levels a few notches below the other informal
group across the street.
Finally, fans would agree that their fanhood is both aspirational and
dissociative. Aspirational groups are ones that members would like to be in
while dissociative groups stand opposite (Babin/Harris, 149). I think it goes
without saying that when the Tigers are playing well, fans love to associate
themselves with the blue and white uniforms. And while they regret it, fans may
feel like dissociating after a few losses.
Now, allow me to broaden the topic to all baseball fans. As biased as I
am, there’s just something special about watching and following baseball
anywhere around the country (Or, in Toronto, and maybe even Montreal if you
haven’t paid attention in awhile). First, baseball teams play virtually every
day. If your favorite team has a bad game, there will always be an opportunity
to feel great the next day. Second, ballpark hotdogs with mustard are simply
amazing. And in no other sport will you find food as consistent as that. Third,
and above all, baseball games are played during the summer and in wide-open
stadiums. There is no better feeling than sitting down in your seat for an
evening ballgame. You can enjoy the warm sun and air, the striking sunset, and
finally the token stadium lights once the orange leaves the sky. There is
nothing better.
