Home run fireworks

[VTSoxFan]

Ok, here's something that gets my goat, and has gotten it for years. I can understand shooting off fireworks after a win, or after a home run that really means something, like a milestone, or a game-winner, or some such. But in many parks, fireworks are shot off after every home run by the home team.

Earlier this season, I was watching a Red Sox/Reds game, and one of the reds players hit a solo shot in the first inning, and fireworks were shot off. After a 1st-inning solo homer!

Last night in Kansas City, one of the Royals hit a solo homer that cut the Boston lead from 2-0 to 2-1. Half a dozen fireworks exploded to commemorate the event.

Shooting off fireworks during daylight, and inside domes, is likewise annoying.

Okay, I'm through ranting. Maybe I'm just being a noodge, but this whole fireworks things just bugs me sometimes.

[NYMets523]

I hate it too unless it's a milestone or walk-off.

[philkid3]

Fireworks are cool. I will always enjoy them after home runs.

[BenHertz]

I don't like fireworks in general, let alone sports-related fireworks.

[Williamsburg2599]

I love how the Angel's fireworks cover the field in a symbolic LA smog (since they aren't really close to LA in the first place)

(This has been Williamburgs2599's unprevoked shot of the week)

In all seriousness, when the Sox played them that really bugged me.

[KevinWI]

The Royals hit a solo homer that cut the Boston lead from 2-0 to 2-1. Half a dozen fireworks exploded to commemorate the event.

Hey, for the Royals THAT is an accomplishment.

[Brad Harris]

I like across the river from the ballpark in Cincinnati and the sound of fireworks in the distance is usually a gauge for how well the team is playing that day for those times I don't have the radio or television on during game time.

[bryanspellman]

I don't mind, I remember as a kid living in the shadow of Shea when the Red Apple was raised. I think it is a bit of excitement for the younger fans, while I might appreciate a 1-0 pitching duel, the young fan likes to see a little fireworks and gets them coming back...

PS I have season tickets to the Indy Colts and our old RCA Dome seat is RIGHT BELOW the cannons that go off after EVERY touchdown. That is a little much, at least the fireworks are way in the outfield

[redlegsfan21]

It's for the kids and kids love fireworks. Home runs are just the excuse to have fireworks for every kid, not just the ones that come on Friday nights.

[Imgran]

I don't mind it unless the smoke starts reducing visibility on the field of play. THEN I have a problem.

[Pere]

Did we really need to hype home runs more?

[philkid3]

When I spent a good bit of time in Denver, I encountered another concept about fireworks. Since you can see and hear them from outside the stadium, it lets you know something good is going on, drawing your attention to the stadium and the Rockies. Not only does it make the Rockies more apart of the sense of the area and community around them, it gathers in attention and get's peoples minds on the franchise.

That's a pretty big plus to me.

[Pere]

Since you can see and hear them from outside the stadium, it lets you know something good is going on, drawing your attention to the stadium

Fine, but why specially for home runs? (I thought home runs were supposed to be the "fireworks.") Not for every run scored...every nifty play in the field? Cripes, maybe that's coming.

I'll tell you what really draws me in when I'm outside a ballpark... the glow of the lights against the sky. Baseball music. The roar of the crowd.

Sorry, but Michael Young hitting a solo to reduce the Yankees' lead from three runs to two doesn't seem like Fort McHenry drama to me. (He got fireworks and "The Natural" theme...)

[philkid3]

Fine, but why specially for home runs? (I thought home runs were supposed to be the "fireworks.") Not for every run scored...every nifty play in the field? Cripes, maybe that's coming.

Natural pause in on-field action that tends to be accompanied by a lesiurely job around the bases and standing applause.

Other than the end of a game, I can't think of a more perfect aesthetic fit.

I'll tell you what really draws me in when I'm outside a ballpark... the glow of the lights against the sky. Baseball music. The roar of the crowd.

And I don't think fireworks take away from those.

Sorry, but Michael Young hitting a solo to reduce the Yankees' lead from three runs to two doesn't seem like Fort McHenry drama to me. (He got fireworks and "The Natural" theme...)

I don't think anyone called it drama. But fireworks are still cool. People like them.

[Pere]

I don't think anyone called it drama.

If it's not drama, then what are we shooting off rockets for?

I don't think fireworks take away from those.

Big dumb hype tends to drown out all else, and particularly for home runs, fosters a shallow understanding of the game.

I saw a great game once, with all kinds of things going on offensively and defensively. Some people next to me spent almost the whole time chatting away about things unrelated to the game. (Not to say that there's anything wrong with just hanging at the yard, as far as that goes.) Late in the game, a home run was hit. They weren't watching at the time, but they looked over vaguely at the cheers, and then got the picture with the boom of the first skyrocket. "Oh, somebody hit a home run!"

Later, I heard them saying that baseball wasn't very exciting, but "seeing that home run was cool."

[philkid3]

If it's not drama, then what are we shooting off rockets for?

Fans' enjoyment.

Big dumb hype tends to drown out all else, and particularly for home runs, fosters a shallow understanding of the game.

I saw a great game once, with all kinds of things going on offensively and defensively. Some people next to me spent almost the whole time chatting away about things unrelated to the game. (Not to say that there's anything wrong with just hanging at the yard, as far as that goes.) Late in the game, a home run was hit. They weren't watching at the time, but they looked over vaguely at the cheers, and then got the picture with the boom of the first skyrocket. "Oh, somebody hit a home run!"

Later, I heard them saying that baseball wasn't very exciting, but "seeing that home run was cool."

Is baseball trying to cater just to the B-F crowd like us, or to as many paying customers as possible?

[Williamsburg2599]

I think sac bunt fireworks would be amazing.

[KevinWI]

I think sac bunt fireworks would be amazing.

I am a fan of the 'catcher blocked a wild pitch' fireworks.

[Death to Crawling Things]

I love how the Angel's fireworks cover the field in a symbolic LA smog (since they aren't really close to LA in the first place)

(This has been Williamburgs2599's unprevoked shot of the week)

In all seriousness, when the Sox played them that really bugged me.

But, what can you expect from the Angels, they cant even make up their minds where they are from. Los Angeles to California to Anaheim to Los Angeles of Anaheim. Pick one blast it.

I am still calling them the Anaheim Angels half the time. They'll be back to calling themselves that in a couple years anyway.


But, I hate fireworks in general. The idiots in the trailer park down the road shoot off fireworks for about 2 weeks before July 4th. Actually, I think they are CEOs but live in the trailer because they spend so much on fireworks.


Hey you wanted a rant didnt you.

[Death to Crawling Things]

I am for Manny caught the ball and didnt look like a baby learning how to walk when he caught fireworks. Hey, that would be a rare occasion.......To soon Red Sox fans?