Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

I have been getting a lot of pitches lately about books for women. These books were written to help women better understand sports or sports terminology. During the hockey playoffs, these books wanted to teach me about icing and maybe make me aware of some famous NHL players. This month, they want to help me out with tricky baseball terms and advising me how to dress for a game.

Now, I don’t know how well you know me, but I can tell you this right now: I know what a triple double is, I know where LeBron James will be playing next year, I know who the coach of the Denver Broncos is, and I can speak intelligently about the problems with the BCS. Even if I couldn’t, even if I didn’t know what DH stood for in baseball, I would still be able to dress appropriately for an outdoor game.

Contrary to popular opinion, mothers and bloggers do leave the house every once in a while.

You know what else? Just because I have a vagina doesn’t mean that I only want to know where Ovechkin plays to impress my boyfriend. I watch ESPN when I am the only one home. My husband is the one that changes the channel to the Food Network because he can only stand to watch SportsCenter one time through, while I am content to watch it on a continual loop all day long.

When I open up the newspaper, I go to the sports section first, and it isn’t so the guys at work don’t think I’m a silly girl. The reality is that I need to know who is injured so I know who to start on my fantasy team.

These pitches (and yeah, they are pitches, just like in baseball) from the PR people, who think my readers need me to tell them to read this book so that they can figure out when the line will be shortest for the bathroom, don’t understand that my readers aren’t stupid. Sure, you might not all be able to explain the wild cat offense, but if I tried to pander and tell you not to wear a leather jacket to a baseball game in Florida in August, you would probably Google my address, come to my house, and beat the crap out of me with the hockey stick that you own because GIRLS LIKE SPORTS TOO!

I don’t mean to be a jerk or a know it all, but can somebody please explain to me why dressing for a baseball game is any different from dressing for a soccer match or a football game? Outside is outside. You know where you live. I assume we have all been outside before. Summer = hot, winter = cold. Unless you are in Florida, and then outside = hot.

My only thought for the focus on baseball is that weather plays a big factor. Day games in the middle of the summer can be brutal. So flip flops, shorts and tank top will be everywhere. But night games in northern climates can get chilly, so jeans and a light sweater may be necessary.

This latest PR pitch also contains this:

[author] interviewed fashion editors from across the country to see what
people will be wearing in your city.

Okay, so let’s say, for the sake of argument that I need fashion advice to go out in public. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and say that I am completely clueless about what people wear where I live. IF YOU ARE TALKING TO FASHION EDITORS THIS ADVICE IS ONLY GOOD FOR ONE SEASON. Fashion is constantly changing. A book is static.

I’ve got some baseball fashion advice — wear something to support your team. The players like that. It makes them feel loved.

Other advice my latest pitch offers:

• When to leave seats. Most people will leave to go get food, drinks or use the restroom when their team is in the field so that they won’t miss the action. For the shortest lines, leave when your team is at bat. You may miss a great home run but you will be back in a jiffy.
• Hard-to-pronounce names are spelled out phonetically.
• Conversation starters and commonly overheard terms.

Ahem. Yes, let’s miss the most exciting part of a baseball game so that we don’t have to stand in line to get a beer. Don’t worry, ladies, you will be home in time to iron your husband’s shirts. I can’t speak for all stadiums, but the six major league ball parks I have been to all have people walking around in the stands selling popcorn and cotton candy and beer and water. I’m not sure what it is like for Yankee or Red Sox fans, but where I live, unless Strasburg is pitching, there aren’t very long lines for anything. (No offense, Nats, you know I love you.)

I am just so tired of society thinking that people with ovaries are ignorant when it comes to sports. Maybe June Cleaver needs this book, but I am Sarah and I live in 2010 and I am offended.

Except for that pronunciation of tricky names part. That would actually be helpful.

This was originally written for and posted on BlogHer.com by Sarah.

~GoonSquad Sarah

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Sports
• SportsPLUS
• Fun Stuff
• OpEd
• Trash Talk
• Personal

View Original Post at draftdaysuit.com

View GoonSquadSarah's Full Profile

There are 4 comments on this post. Join the discussion!

NiamhG says:

Brilliant post! One of the most annoying assumptions is when men assume you like 'their' sport because you are on the hunt for a partner. It's sad that so many women do still see sport as an occasion to get dressed up for as opposed to a fun day out or hey, something to get involved with. Thanks.

Monday, July 12, 2010 at 8:26am EDT

Title9 says:

So what they are trying to branch out and find new audiences... the fact that they are making the books points to the fact that they due recognize women are a viable audience. Sorry everyone's sports knowledge needs to start somewhere don't be an elitist just because you think you know a bunch about sports, some women don't and maybe they want to learn, get off it.

For the most part women are ignorant about sports just like most men are ignorant about things that are women tend to know a lot about.... Just look at women's sporting events tell me that the commentary by female announcers isn't seriously dumbed down, because it is.

What your saying is that people should be offended by a windows for dummies book because it's 2010 and everyone should know that, get real. You know more than whats in the book congrats move on. I read an intro to running book that broke down everything to the most basic level past what I needed should I be offended, no.... in fact it even discussed what I should wear, oohhhh better not do that, better not, everyone knows how to dress for every occasion of course. Maybe saying to bring a hat and sunglasses saved someone from having to stare into the sun all game if so mission accomplish... get over it jeez.

Monday, July 12, 2010 at 7:32pm EDT

GoonSquadSarah says:

Thanks Naimhg!

And "Title9" - I apologize if you are the author of this book, which I am getting the impression you might be, but I completely disagree with your stereotypes of men and of women. I think that had this book been a "Going to a Baseball Game for Dummies" it wouldn't have been offensive. The part that makes me uncomfortable is that it is aimed at women. This pitch assumes that women don't know about baseball simply because they are women.

I also disagree with this: "Just look at women's sporting events tell me that the commentary by female announcers isn't seriously dumbed down, because it is. "

Have you seen Rebecca Lobo or Nancy Lieberman cover an event? What about Pam Oliver or Suzy Kolber? These ladies can hold their own with any male commentator I can think of.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 8:45am EDT

tmhollins says:

I love this article. I enjoy correcting guys or explaining what's really going on with sports. I hate that people (both men and women) assume women know nothing about sports or only care about how they look.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at 12:08am EDT

Leave Your Comment:  Read our comment policy

Login  |  Sign Up

LOGIN TO WOMEN TALK SPORTS:

Username: 

Password: 

SIGNUP FOR A WOMEN TALK SPORTS ACCOUNT:

A Women Talk Sports account allows you to maintain a profile at www.womentalksports.com and login to comment on posts using your WTS identity.

Fields marked with a * are required.

Your First Name*: 

Your Last Name*: 

Your E-mail*: 

Your Website: 

Your Location: 

Your Twitter Username: 

Create a WTS Username*: 

Create a Password*: 

Confirm Password*: 

Check here to receive bi-weekly emails from Women Talk Sports and partners highlighting discussions on our site and upcoming women's sporting events, as well as informing you of new products, services and special offers.

I accept the Terms & Conditions for joining Women Talk Sports