The family and I probably attend about five professional sporting events each year. We usually make it to three or so Lowell Spinners games (local Class A minor league baseball team), perhaps a college or minor league (Lowell Lock Monsters) hockey game, and the odd Red Sox or New England Patriots game.
Last weekend, we delved into the exotic: a professional curling tournament.
Not just any tournament or bonspiel, this was the Men’s World Curling Championship. Now, ordinarily I don’t think I’d travel all over the place for a sport I have barely no knowledge of, but this event was staged right next door at the Paul E. Tsongas Arena (Lowell, MA). We opted for tickets during the first weekend of the round-robin style matches, and now I wish our calendar conflict would allow for our going this coming weekend, it was that cool.
There was not a huge crowd at the 7,800-seat arena. The empty seats were a bit obvious, but once the action got going, the enthusiasm of both fans and players made up for it.
I knew this was going to be a special event – there were cowbells. To me, the cowbells added a bit of sporting chic. After all, I only hear them when watching some sort of Wide World of Sports televised event. Oh yeah, this was the big-time baby. I swore that Amanda Peet was sitting in the row in front of us. I thought about getting an autograph, but I eventually realized it was just a doppelganger. Still, you never know who could have shown up. No, I didn’t crane my neck for a glimpse of Jack in his ever-present shades, but I felt that celebrity vibe for sure.
I noticed that seeing this sort of event live was quite different from the few times I’d seen curling during Olympic coverage. As a matter of fact, it strangely reminded me when I went to see a WWE live event, Backlash, last June. When my sons force me to sit and watch the televised wrestling antics of JBL, Triple H, or John Cena, a huge part of the show is the back and forth of the commentators. It was very strange, almost disconcerting to be at the live event, and to think how quiet it was. Oh, the audience was wild and strange - and loud, but the action in the ring was very quiet. And no commentary! Or, rather, commentary that was intended for the Pay-Per-View home audience, not us in the Verizon Wireless Arena.
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Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
actually sounds more interesting than an episode of 24.
seriously!
2 - Mitch
Good posting. Could almost hear the cowbells. And you gotta love the word 'doppelganger.'
3 - DrawtheButton
Great to hear you enjoyed the game I absolutely love. I hope more and more American's can get some exposure to the game, I think it sells itself. I hope you will go out and try it. Maybe you'll get as hooked as I am. If you have time, try coming to Hamilton to see the Brier next year!
I'm actually sitting here considering the 7 hour drive down South to Lowell to see the final that starts in 12 hours.
Have a great summer, and consider curling when the leaves start to change colour. It's a sport that you can play from 6 to 106!
4 - Gerry Geurts
Thanks for your great blog Mary! This kind of excitement by someone new to the sport is very refreshing. I just got home from Lowell about an hour ago, after the 9 hour drive home.
The crowd on the Friday night was quite special, one of the best crowds I've ever seen at a curling event. The generally Americans crowd filled with many newbies brings a new level of excitement to the game which generally seems to be missing in Canada.
5 - Mary K. Williams
Thank you 'Draw' and Gerry -
Amazing to hear that you either traveled such a distance by car, or at least considered such a journey for this event.
At the very least, its a nice tourism boost for our area - and at the most, we all get to learn more about the sport and the fans.
I don't know if I'd actually do this myself, as has been suggested here - but then again - I did take up karate at age 40. Who knows?
6 - Mary K. Williams
UPDATE:
Final draw today at 12:30(EST)
Scotland vs. Canada
7 - Matthew T. Sussman
I missed most of the game, but good for Scotland. They had a lot of close calls in the past year.
8 - Mat Brewster
Sorry I'm way late on this Mary K, but that was great. Cowbells! God bless 'em.