We continue to collect new readers, new friends, and new responses from those moved to comment on recent opinions and columns shared on Press Pros. To christen a new month we offer these:
On the recent topic of whether the state basketball tournament has worn out the fans’ patience (and budget) with the Schottenstein Center:
“I agree with your statement that the tournament is too expensive for many families. It used to be a yearly tradition for a lot of basketball fans. Now it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing if your team is lucky enough to get there.” … Bob Taylor
“It’s too expensive but the atmosphere is still a lot of fun.” … C.J. Counts
“The best point you make is about moving the girls tournament to a site that’s more appropriate in size. Even St. John Arena was too big to provide an exciting environment.” … Gary McCauley
“St. John was good when there were things to do around the arena. But that landscape’s changed. The university has bought (or is building) on every available foot of ground, so the Schott is no worse nor no better.” … Tim Courtney (Columbus)
“It’s still the best state tournament. I’ve seen Kentucky and Indiana, and Ohio does theirs the best.” … Eric (Middletown)
“I can’t imagine a bigger nightmare than trying to get into downtown, park, and get to the game if they move it to Nationwide. Have you ever tried to go to a Blue Jackets’ game?” … David Spears
(Ed. Note: I can imagine a bigger nightmare. How ’bout trying to get out of downtown, the parking garages, crowded streets, and all those extra cars?)
“More hotels, more restaurants, and more shopping, but even more expensive if they move the tournament to Nationwide Arena. The average family cannot afford to go to the state tournament as it is. At least I can’t.” … Virginia Walker
“I love the idea to charge one price for a ticket that gets you a seat for four basketball games, like they do with the baseball tournament. I actually didn’t know they did that, but I’m thinking about going in June if that’s the case.” … Ben
“Not to mention that there’s almost no marketing or information at all from the OHSAA on the tournament. If I wanted to sell more tickets I’d do a better job of promoting the event.” … Alex Roux
(Ed. Note: To the OHSAA’s defense, it’s awfully hard to promote something with just one week’s notice. Remember, they don’t know who the participants are until five days before the semi-finals. You can’t market what you don’t know.)
On the column about sportsmanship, from March 14 (A Battle We’re Losing, In Spite Of Ourselves)….
“Thanks for presenting the case for embarrassing behavior in historical perspective. We really haven’t changed much from one generation to the next, and based on the points you presented it’s likely we never will.” … Mary Lou Heintzelman
“Upon reading your column I went to search those scriptures you quoted for myself. You presented an amazing case.” … Robt. Killilea
“It was nice to see someone speak up on behalf of civilized behavior.” … Joyce Jenkins
“You realize, of course, that you’re preaching to the choir about the 1% that’s singing out of tune. Would be nice if you’d give some credit to the progress the other 99% has made in teaching the importance of sporting behavior.” … Tom Mootz
(Ed note: The progress we’ve made is a result of two-parent homes where sound values are stressed from the start, the “choir”, as you so well put it. Those people don’t need public service announcements on how to behave, and never have. The other 1% don’t seem to listen, anyway.)
Early coverage of college baseball has attracted some new appreciation for an area institution:
“How cool to see Hal McCoy writing about Dayton Flyers baseball. Bravo!” … Howard Schilling
Of course, we’re always appreciative of kind words about the daily content of this site:
“As an Ironton fan I wanted to tell you that discovering your website was a nice surprise. You had a lot of good stuff on the tournaments.” … Casey Smith
“Once again your photos and coverage or the tournament were the best. It always is.” … Keith Skeens
“Having family that still live in the Lima area I was delighted to read your account of the teams that played in the state tournament. Congrats to Lima Central Catholic.” … Joe B (Siesta Key)
