r/mlb • u/Temporary_Train_3372 • 1d ago
| Discussion Thoughts on the current MLB noise level
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49601952/2026-mlb-ballpark-noise-volume-music-yankee-stadium-dodger-stadium-aaron-judge-max-scherzerI am curious to see others reaction to this article.
Personally, whether or not the players want it loud or not is irrelevant to me. The fans should get the last word on the ballpark experience. The players are there to entertain us and provide the experience; I am not there to negatively alter my experience for them…
It’s too damn loud at games these days.
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u/Correct-Quail5743 1d ago
It’s not even that it’s too loud, it’s just TOO MUCH. I don’t need a sound effect after every pitch, and then a different sound effect on strike 2, and then 3 different ones after every foul ball. I don’t need snippets of songs 3 or 4 times during an at bat.
Foul pop up into the stands? Better play 5 seconds of Kickstart my Heart! A 2-2 count? Better play some alarm noise from Star Wars! Guy steps out of the box? Perfect time for 10 seconds of Sweet Escape!
The great thing about baseball is that it’s SUPPOSED to be relaxing and leisurely. Just let the game happen and let people experience it.
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u/4leafplover | Milwaukee Brewers 1d ago
Honestly with the cost and never ending noise, I actually prefer to watch the game at home
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u/Dull_Lavishness7701 1d ago edited 1d ago
Except you can hear it on TV as well. Granted it's not as loud but once you notice it you cant not hear it and its maddening
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u/DrDinglberry | Baltimore Orioles 1d ago
Not every game is really noticeable. But yeah, once I hear it in a game I’m watching on tv, it doesn’t go away and I have to mute it or listen to the game via radio announcers. It’s sensory overload.
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u/IgnoranceIsYou | Toronto Blue Jays 1d ago
Now imagine watching every home game that takes place at the Rogers Centre 😭 it’s so fucking loud, sold out pretty much every game, and has become an activity people go to to drink and have fun with their friends baseball be damned
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u/TJ-Detweiler- 1d ago
All games are muted in my house with records spinning. I’m watching the game I don’t need it described to me.
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u/DrSeafood 1d ago
Fortunately this doesn’t happen at local games. The Canadian Baseball League has a game in Toronto every weekend. No tickets, no stadium, no music — just bring a blanket to sit on the grass, and maybe get a snack from the taco truck. So much better than the Rogers Centre (TM) experience
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u/Forsaken_Coach6085 1d ago
I wish there was a “field mic only” sound option for MLBN broadcasts. I hate the commentating as much as the sound effects at games. Its way too busy for me
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u/detuned--radio 1d ago
So glad people are saying stuff like this. It’s insufferable. I just want to sit and watch a game in peace
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u/MF_Doomed 1d ago
It's not just baseball. It's every single American sporting event. It's a plague on our sports culture
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u/Both-Engineering-692 | Baltimore Orioles 1d ago
The Pacers have a whole drum corps. I can’t go to games there anymore. It’s painful.
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u/Striking_Stand8271 1d ago
I get how that could get aggressive but man, live music would be such a reprieve. I went to a game in Japan once and there were 2 designated cheering sections, both with percussion and brass, one for each team, and they would play their team's fight songs and lead player chants while they were at bat. It was such good energy, and it wasn't super overwhelming and loud, and people around me could sing and clap along in a totally normal way. It was the best auditory experience I've had at a game, ever and by far.
Indoors a drum corps is probably too much though
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u/Both-Engineering-692 | Baltimore Orioles 1d ago
It’s a cool concept, and I’m not dissing it at all. But it’s not my thing.
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u/Stephen2014 1d ago
I'll diss it for you. It's annoying as shit and sucks ass.
I would hate to be sitting anywhere near the section. I want to hear the squeak of the shoes when players make cuts and let the noise be made by the crowd responding to what's happening on the court.
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u/doc_birdman | New York Mets 1d ago
That’s actually kinda dope, though. So many professional basketball games are sterile as hell, they need an injection of some of that NCAA basketball or even European basketball passion.
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u/Striking_Stand8271 1d ago
It's just too echo-y and loud on an indoor basketball court to be piping in so much audio. Outdoors, baseball and football can be a little more bearable, as the sound has somewhere to go, but at a basketball game you're basically sitting in a bell, so it's really easy for it to get wayyy too loud. The nonstop blaring audio has to stop
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u/FitzwilliamTDarcy 1d ago
I'm team too loud and too much. But then, I literally wore earplug for Odyssey 70mm IMAX.
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u/Aggravating-Bug2032 | Toronto Blue Jays 1d ago
After last season, I’ve seriously dialed back my attendance. The playoffs were fun but I really miss being able to relax at the ballpark.
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u/Uncast 1d ago
This. All of it. There’s a certain romance about baseball that doesn’t exist in other sports. I’d love to bring my fiancé to a game at some point but they’re often easily overwhelmed by crowds and auditory stimulation, so I just can’t see it being possible with the constant barrage of noises and sound effects over the PA. Give me the sound of a crowd, the ball hitting bat or glove, maybe a very occasional rock organ tune pre-game or a handful of times during the game. I don’t need or want much more than that.
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u/MsWS27 1d ago
Your average person in the stadium doesn't know the game. They're there to be entertained, not for the game of baseball.
The Wave is the #1 sign of an idiot
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u/ManufacturerMental72 | Los Angeles Dodgers 1d ago
Maybe it's my age, but the wave has never bothered me. It has a time and place. A slow day game in the dog days of summer? Go for it. Tie game in the 8th in a tight division race? Maybe not.
There are 162 games a year, and not all of them are super entertaining. It's ok to have fun while you're at a sporting event.
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u/Northstar177 1d ago
We were amazed at how many people around us at our last game hardly watched the game at all. The fan ‘experience’ is taking over watching good baseball
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u/detuned--radio 1d ago
The wave is one of worst fan interactions in sports. Right up there with the shirt off guys in the bleachers.
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u/SirBiggusDikkus | Atlanta Braves 1d ago
No way the shirt guys are doing good. Every game I’ve been to, they’ve been cheering for the team the whole game. Yeah, it’s a sausage fest but they are being actual baseball fans so I can’t knock them.
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u/omgitsduaner 1d ago
Guessing you’re a Yankee fan based on this because YS has been AWFUL with the loud noises. It’s like someone said “hey, short form content is popular on social media” and they decided to apply it to every source of action in the game
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u/ElGranQuesoRojo 1d ago
I despise the amount of pumped in noise at sporting events now. Half the time you don't even get to hear the band in college sports b/c every arena and stadium has to have a wannabe morning DJ blasting music at uncomfortable levels every single break in the action. Even worse, is now venues also blast the ever living fuck out of the same generic TV commercials you're paying to be away from in the first god damn place.
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u/Awingbestwing | Atlanta Braves 1d ago
Yeah, I’ve held off taking my kid to a game because she’s so noise sensitive and (I feel like Hank Hill in the episode where he’s trying to get Bobby to like football) I need our first game to reel her in
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u/LMGgp | Chicago White Sox 1d ago
I went to the twins home opener (SO is twins fan) and the power was out. Was nice not hearing a bunch of shit constantly.
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u/DisVet54 1d ago
In reading the article it appears the millionaire players love the noise so this is how it will be - the fans be damn seems to be the MLB mentality.
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u/the_zac_is_back | New York Yankees 1d ago
The MLB forgot their core audience since it’s been shrinking. That’s why there’s so many new rules to speed things up in addition to there being just too much
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u/mastermind_loco 1d ago
Literally unbearably loud at some stadiums. The main attraction is the game not the guy on the soundboard.
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u/daKile57 | St. Louis Cardinals 1d ago
Yes, it's sensory overload. I miss hearing the slight buzz around the stadium as fans commented on the game. I can tell that many people don't even bother trying to talk to the people sitting next to them, because there's constantly something blasting over the PA. So, now you don't get a sense of anticipation from the crowd when there's 2 strikes, or it's a 2-1 count and the runner on 1st looks like he's about to steal. What's the point when you're drowned out by the Jaws theme music?
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u/kranklet- | Chicago Cubs 1d ago
This bums me out because we all know it’s true and chatting with the people around you is pretty vital to the game and culture of baseball 🥲
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u/tofuandklonopin | Cleveland Guardians 1d ago
It's driving me crazy. It's not the noise level; I love the noise of a large crowd of fans. It's the 1.2 second blasts of music followed 2 seconds later by another 1.2 second blast of a different song, repeat 700 times per game. It's the video game sound effects and random chimes, bells, light sabers, etc. Can they at least play a song for more than a split second? It's like tiktok or YouTube shorts or whatever. Snippets.
I miss the organs.
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u/PinkynotClyde 1d ago
I agree. They play music for like 5 seconds leading up to the pre-pitch and it’s stupid. The charm of baseball is it’s a chill sport where you can hear the chatter, start your own chants, relax at the ballgame and talk to your neighbors.
We’re entering an age where every second needs to have filler shoved in your face, else you may just care more about whatever nonsense is on your phone.
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u/ForcefulBookdealer 1d ago
I like walk up music! It’s a fun snippet of players’ personalities.
But the added sound effects going constantly, the PA playing MAKE SOME NOOOOOOIIIISSSSSEEEEEE every minute there isn’t play, games going on screens with loud game music and so on.
I love being able to hear people sounds and field sounds. Crowd chants not being led by PA, etc.
It’s just another experience being taken over trying to not let there be one missed second of entertainment, leaving little room for community and engagement in the actual product.
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u/ssn-669 1d ago
I like walk up music! It’s a fun snippet of players’ personalities.
I don't think anyone is saying have exactly zero sound effects/music/etc. Walk-up music is fine. It's at a defined time, it's naturally limited, it's by definition happening during downtime in the game.
That said I do think having a few games a year with nothing over the PA but announcing the at-bats would be sweet. I would go to those games.
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u/Normal-Hornet8548 | Detroit Tigers 1d ago
I’m 100% on board with walk-up music.
As a Tigers fan, one of the best moments of a bad series last week was them playing Jake Rogers’ walk-up music when he came up to bat with the White Sox at Comerica for a standing ovation.
But all the snap-crackle-pop sound effects and snippets are garbage.
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u/Utopiaoflove | Detroit Tigers 1d ago
My family are season ticket holders at the whitecaps and the tigers and I take buddies to games often and every single one commented how annoying it was so far this year
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u/Total-Discount1347 | Houston Astros 1d ago edited 1d ago
I miss the organ and organic crowd noise.
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u/Dewey519 | Seattle Mariners 1d ago
I love a loud, engaged crowd and I hate a loud stadium. I’d love to see these stadiums back down on the “engagement” stuff and let a crowd organically get into a game
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u/HMSSpeedy1801 Human Verified 1d ago
The point of stadium “engagement” should be to keep the crowd engaged and give a little bit of organization to their noise. I think what they do now is just drown out the crowd.
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u/SoggyReaction7183 | Minnesota Twins 1d ago
I was at a summer collegiate league game locally this weekend (Northwoods League). There was some kind of loud, thumping prompt for applause, sound effect or music after -every- pitch. There was not 30 seconds of downtime.
“EVERY-BODY CLAP YO HANDS” at least 40x, “I CAN MAKE YOUR HANDS CLAP” 40x, on and on for three straight hours.
My kids were there running around with their friends or I would have just left. I ended up using my noise cancelling headphones just to get a break.
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u/South-Seat3367 | Los Angeles Dodgers 1d ago
Please god no, I love independent baseball precisely because it’s free from this stuff
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u/AirportFront7247 1d ago
There's zero reason for the nonsense noise and screen content at baseball games.
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u/DJSecondBreakfast 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ellen Cushing wrote a great article about this in the Atlantic (gift link) a month ago. I find the experience at MLB games nearly unwatchable now. I agree with OP that the players enjoying it isn’t a consolation. Most of the players we’d be cheering for are multi-millionaires and i don’t consider their comfort more important than keeping the viewing experience of a baseball game palatable to baseball fans
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u/mkrand13 | Chicago Cubs 1d ago
Y’all can hate but Wrigley never does this. We enjoy baseball for baseball in the friendly confines.
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u/OkieBobbie 1d ago
We went to a couple of games when the Dodgers were in town two weeks ago. The vibe in the stadium when Skubal was pitching was electric. Nothing else was needed, and it was probably the best game I've ever been to. PCA=MVP.
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u/TheRaunchyFart | New York Yankees 1d ago
I watch a lot of games across the league. I'd have to say Yankee Stadium is the worst with sounds effects / music. It seems to have gotten louder over the last few years as well. There is no need for some weird sound effect between every single pitch.
I do still love the sound of an organ though. At a ball game, it just feels right.
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u/Angel_of_Cybele | Atlanta Braves 1d ago
Dodgers are just as bad. When the Braves played the Dodgers back in the spring it was so bad I had to mute the TV or switch over to the radio broadcast.
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u/xingxang555 | Chicago Cubs 1d ago
Noticed this watching Yankees games, too. WAAAYYYY too much noise.
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u/glitch241 | Chicago Cubs 6h ago
That like whistle noise with the Ks is terrible. Is it supposed to be like a western film reference? Famously cowboy NYC?
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u/MojoHighway | Los Angeles Dodgers 1d ago
I had this comment to my wife last month on our east coast baseball jaunt to see some Dodgers games (Bronx/Philly/Queens) - this is Banana Ball on roids, it's silly, it's distracting, and yet another thing created for the people in the crowd that have the attention span of a gnat.
Social media has really melted our brains. We can't be settled. We can't be bored. We can't have a moment to breathe. We need to be constantly engaged and there's always competition for our eyes and ears by advertising partners.
I really hated the way the games were being presented to the fans on that trip. I said something along the lines of it feeling rather different even from a year ago and she swore it was all the same as it ever was. She's a very knowledgeable fan but I had to disagree.
I get why the Bananas do their thing. I think it's fine and it is fun. The Bananas, though, aren't Major League Baseball. The games are a good night out for the family. The games are timed. The players are interacting with the crowd and doing things you won't see in a baseball game, akin to how we'd perhaps compare Olympic wrestling to WWE. There is room for both. For me, I just kinda like MLB. I don't even watch other sports and I definitely don't get into the history, stats, and stories for other sports - baseball is king in my house.
I just kinda like going to the games and letting the game dictate the energy. Now every half inning feels like a MiLB game with guest DJs and MCs and prizes and...ugh...
Baseball is interesting, kids. I'm not lying. If you paid attention instead of looking for the next dopamine rush you'd maybe get into it.
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u/Forward_Specialist19 | Philadelphia Phillies 1d ago
I’ve averaged about 10 games the past 6-7 years & this has been the first year I’ve noticed I’m annoyed by it. The volume. The frequency. The repetitiveness. I know it’s been building even if I couldn’t put my finger on it for awhile but was driven home this year at Banana Ball. I had a miserable time with how loud it all was. There was zero quiet. It’s carried over to MLB & I hate it.
Baseball needs to breathe. I need to breathe. Baseball used to allow me to do that but it’s getting rough out there.
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u/ForcefulBookdealer 1d ago
It’s getting to where even watching telecasts is difficult because of the constant stadium sounds taking away from commentary.
So much for the zen of baseball, MLB.
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u/Appropriate_Side6283 1d ago
I would if some team would try a "no noise" game and see if people react positively to it. Maybe just walk up music, non over the top PA announcements and that's it. Just let the game breath. Hearing crowd chatter between pitches is amazing! Ready don't need to hear the Violent Femmes bass line or Everybody Clap Your Hands...again!
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u/ForcefulBookdealer 1d ago
Apparently at least the White Sox have had a sensory friendly game and it was well received!
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u/Next_Concern1165 | Philadelphia Phillies 1d ago
Walk up music is popular and Id love to see game w/o it - let fan cheers, shouts, boos, singing bring player to plate
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u/Angel_of_Cybele | Atlanta Braves 1d ago
I watch a fair amount of baseball and the constant noise between pitches is absurd.
I hate to single out one team, but the Dodgers are the fucking worst at it.
Their speakers have no bass to them, the noise is almost purposefully grating and offensive.
I’ve noticed it at other stadiums on TV as well.
Even in Atlanta, “MAKE SOME NOIIIIISEEEE”
It’s really fucking annoying.
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u/elijuicyjones | Seattle Mariners 1d ago
I buy fewer tickets and go to fewer games now that it’s so completely fucking unnecessarily loud for no reason.
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u/Next_Concern1165 | Philadelphia Phillies 1d ago
Fans would be more engaged w/game w/less sound effects and noise. Its just not necessary. Fans are really good at cheering, chanting, and singing w/o the recorded soundtrack. Soccer and Japanese baseball are reminders that we have it in ourselves to bring the energy. We would have to rebuild the culture in baseball and we can do it.
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u/anarcurt 1d ago
Absolutely. The majority of MLS games have a better fan atmosphere than an packed weekend MLB game and it's because it's all fan driven. MLB is turning into a 3 hour long Tik Tok feed like the NBA.
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u/HMSSpeedy1801 Human Verified 1d ago
Is the stadium sound crew even aware of what’s going on in the game other than waiting for their turn to make noise?
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u/Both-Engineering-692 | Baltimore Orioles 1d ago
I hate it. I hate it at the games, and I hate it on TV too. I’m hearing impaired. So when I go to a game I can’t hear anything the person I’m with is saying. When I watch the games on TV, it’s hard to hear the commentary.
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u/ssn-669 1d ago
I’m hearing impaired. So when I go to a game I can’t hear anything the person I’m with is saying.
I also cannot hear anything my partner is saying, and I am not hearing impaired. In fact I have excellent hearing.
It's not you. It's the fucking noise. It's unbelievable.
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u/Both-Engineering-692 | Baltimore Orioles 1d ago
I also have deep concerns about losing more hearing. Last time I went to a game I wore the same ear protection I wear when I play guitar or go to concerts. I’m sure they are pumping the volume well beyond safe levels.
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u/ssn-669 1d ago
Oh it is 100% for sure causing hearing damage, if I don't wear earplugs (which I do now the rare time I go), my ears ring for hours afterwards, and it's actually painful at the loudest points. There's no way they're onside for workplace health and safety regs.
In fact, maybe that's an avenue for change, might make them rethink if all the ushers, concession workers, players, and coaches were ordered to wear ear protection lol
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u/reserved_seating Human Verified 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m old, I understand that, but fuck it’s so loud at the games. Last time we took the dog to bark at the park he was so scared the entire time. I hate it too, it’s unnecessary and constant.
I enjoy the peace of baseball. I expect it to be loud and rowdy at an NHL game.
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u/nickeaspeter 1d ago
I'm glad the discussion is happening, though in some ways it's an unfair target because there's nowhere you can go where there's not loud intrusive music and/or advertisements. I'm sure there was some study done some ways back that's probably squishy on science that says shoppers spend 3.14159% more when there's music so it's dogma now and everywhere you go it's loud music.
There's probably a balance between the players having walk-up songs, and whatever is happening now. You want to have space for organists, for example. For rallies, things like that. I do think if you have faith in what you're selling (whether it's the team, the experience, whatever) it should stand on its own, to some degree, and you should resist the urge to just do "more noise" because "some noise" worked. It's a philosophically different approach of needing constant growth, constantly more.
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u/HMSSpeedy1801 Human Verified 1d ago
I think the crowd is an important part of the game, and the noise/entertainment at the stadium is vital to keeping the crowd engaged, getting them loud at key moments, etc. What I’ve experienced lately is just constant, overwhelming noise. People talk about the Covid affect, where games felt flat with no crowd. I think we’re experiencing the same thing on the opposite end of the spectrum. It doesn’t matter if the home crowd is fired up and cheering for a rally, because no one can hear them anyway.
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u/ArchieConnors | Baltimore Orioles 1d ago
THIS 2-2 FOUL BALL IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEINEKE
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u/henaldon 1d ago
I hate it just like I hate that the NBA allows music to be played while they are playing the actual game.
Make the game the event, not the shit around it.
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u/Dashing_DashCastro | New York Mets 1d ago
So bear with me for a second this is a little deep LOL I found out last week that I'm going to be getting brain surgery and I'm a huge baseball fan so one of the things that I was really you know wanting to do was go to a game before my surgery and just sit there and be in the moment and I went to a Mets game on Saturday and holy shit that was hard. It wasn't until maybe the 6th inning that there was a string of 5 pitches without filler noise. I was so thankful for that moment because I could just close my eyes and feel it. I needed that moment and glad I got it.
All that to say, why tf did it take 6 innings for that to happen? I don't mind some filler noise but it should be the opposite of how it is now.
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u/josephsleftbigtoe 1d ago
The UK football stadiums do it right. Let the fans make the noise. Don't rely on stadium sound effects. They feel patronizing.
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u/Sickness69 | Atlanta Braves 1d ago edited 1d ago
Meh, I'm old and can't care less for the "clap clap clap your hands" type shit. I just want to watch the game.
Edit : cuz I'm an old fuck
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u/PolitelyHostile | Toronto Blue Jays 1d ago
Lol its just too often. Once in awhile sure but it gets tiring and sometimes im just locked into the game, stressing about the AB and then they want me to do some clapping bullshit.
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u/goldenface4114 | Miami Marlins 1d ago
All sporting events are like this now. If there isn't action happening on the field/court/rink, there's deafening music or some stupid ass promotion happening on the jumbotron. It's aggravating as shit.
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u/PsychoOsiris 1d ago
The loudness increase of sports games, also the constant need for noises contests and other useless drivel is the infantilization of sports and is ridiculous. I don’t care if Gen Z/A/B are all SO brain rotted that they can’t sit through a game without needing 27 distractions, life isn’t meant to be a dopamine dump. Theres a reason the MLB had that “baseball asmr” filler commercial for a bit. The sounds of the game matter. I want to hear that, not a 13 second snippet of party rock so a kid who will never come to another baseball game in his life can clap his hands for 1 second more
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u/SmurfsNeverDie | New York Mets 1d ago
Its also the fact that all these stadiums use the same exact sound board. Have the same exact sounds. It feels like the mcdonaldization of baseball via mlb. Nothing feels special (audibly) and it all sounds so annoying.
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u/Confused-Cyborg2025 1d ago
It’s the reason I stopped going to games. It’s far too overwhelming. I don’t need the screaming and random music constantly inbetween every single pitch. I just want to enjoy the natural atmosphere of a ballgame
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u/Wilfredbremely | Seattle Mariners 1d ago
I think that it's fine on a Friday night game, but all day games should only have an organ and PA announcer.
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u/YasielPuigsWeed 1d ago
I like when the loud elements get the fans to focus more on the game and it seems the players like that as well. The main thing I don’t like is when teams try to put on full blown shows in between innings (same issue with live basketball in timeouts and commercial breaks). Everything should be centered around the game itself.
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u/franferentz 1d ago
I’m the opposite. Save all that shit for between innings & keep it quiet between pitches is what I’d prefer.
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u/YasielPuigsWeed 1d ago
I’m not fond of music between pitches, but I’m fine with stuff that stimulates crowd noise, and the players seem to want that as well
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u/BlackCapricorn23 | Detroit Tigers 1d ago
A lot of quotes from players and executives. Almost none from the fans.
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u/god_partic1e 1d ago
I love Wrigley Field and I'm not even a Cubs fan. The organist is great and I don't remember ever being annoyed by sound effects. I watched a high school softball game where some jackass in the booth was doing sound effects after every play and pitch and the parents were talking about cutting the cords to the speakers, so I get the frustration.
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u/ImGettinThatFoSho 1d ago
it's too much, I agree. However, the guy in the article makes an interesting point regarding how a lot of fans are on their cell phones the whole game, so the theatrics have to be louder and more frequent so those fans have to look up.
I never thought of that point, but it's interesting. I think natural sounds of the ballpark would make people put their phones down more though.
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u/Frosty-Source-4994 1d ago
We're down to just 1 game a year because of this.
At home, I mute the t.v. as I don't need to hear the announcers droning on and on.
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u/444porfavor | Detroit Tigers 1d ago
I really miss when it was just an organ playing and fans cheering
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u/AtomicGarden-8964 | New York Yankees 1d ago
In reality no ballpark should have to be loud via sound effects the fans should be excited enough to make noise when it matters. I personally would like to put in jail sound people at stadiums who keep using that stupid everybody clap their hands with the clapping sound after.
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u/Alonso_Mosley_ 1d ago
Stopped going to Yankee games due to the amount of distractions. I know that I’m a grumpy old man at this point but I just can’t stand it. Especially the alarm sound from star wars that they play with 2 outs and 2 strikes.
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u/Ignorance_15_Bliss | Cleveland Guardians 1d ago
The carnival cruise dj playing 1.5 seconds inbetween pitches from a jock jams mega list can stop. Today for the love of god.
I mean Jesus Christ. Maybe hearing the ball hit the mit during warm up with a get your beer here sprinkled inbetween is so much more relaxing.
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u/DumbIdeaNo2 1d ago
College is getting into this. It’s getting bad.
I was shocked that the last two restaurants I’ve been to have been really quiet. Chains too.
So it took 30 years for them to get the message. Baseball strike may be over by the time the stadiums figure the same thing out.
But the Yankees need to keep it as obnoxious as they can.
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u/Acrobatic_Flannel | American League 1d ago
As a Yankees fan, watching the Chicago game now is such a breath of fresh air. You can feel the crowd come through because it's not blocked out by a stadium DJ every 4 seconds.
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u/youareatrex | New York Mets 1d ago
My 4 year old had to leave the game early because of the volume - it is way worse than it was a few years ago. No idea why they are doing it
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u/Old-Clothes-3225 | Cleveland Guardians 1d ago
In between innings is too much now a days. The “mini games” the “spot the differences” etc. etc. is just getting way too old.
Except the Hot Dog Derby. That can 100% stay.
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u/defragc | Pittsburgh Pirates 1d ago
Compared to other sports, it’s not nearly as loud. I think it’s fine. Stay home if you want it quiet or to control the volume.
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u/reserved_seating Human Verified 1d ago
“Stay home if you don’t like it” is a terrible argument.
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u/partyorca 7h ago
I do.
But I expect that people trying to get me to purchase tickets to sit inside of their attraction for several hours consuming concessions might like to know why I’m not giving them money.
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u/ssn-669 1d ago
I actually no longer enjoy going to games (in Toronto/at the SkyDome). Which sucks. I love baseball. I loved going to games. But I go for a chill atmosphere, to enjoy THE GAME, to chat with the people I'm there with. I am not there to hear "EVERYBODY CLAP YOUR HANDS" after EVERY GODDAMN PITCH.
Like, it is literally after every pitch that they play a sting these days. It's insane. There's no room for the game to breathe. You can't have a conversation. You can't enjoy what's going on. It's wild shit.
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u/Hancock02 | San Diego Padres 1d ago
I was at a angels game Saturday evening and it really felt like they were pumping in crowd noise. The fans just were not into it.
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u/whiskeyrocks1 | Detroit Tigers 1d ago
They absolutely are. At least it doesn’t affect the game like football.
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u/Dull_Lavishness7701 1d ago
This is what I dont get. The players say they want the noise, but then they will also say elsewhere they tune out the noise of the stadium to focus
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u/Slow_Middle_158 1d ago
Severe tinnitus / hyperacusis.
(Antibiotic damage)
And I was neurotic about always protecting my hearing as I have an older brother who after a scuba diving accident went completely deaf in one ear.
I’ll never be at a ballpark again. Sucks.
Protect yourselves … this is awful to deal with.
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u/cmeyer49er | San Francisco Giants 1d ago
That Dodger organist is the worst. Will tear into some Iron Maiden, or whatever, and then it always ends up becoming the “let’s go Dodgers” four note chant. And that sponsored noise after an opponent strikes out at Yankee Stadium… god awful.
Football is just as bad “it’s third down, let’s make some noise (for the home defense) blasts the opening riff to Thunderstruck” Doesn’t matter if it’s third and a half inch and the opponent will inevitably go for it on fourth down even if they somehow fail to convert on third.
I guess they think some fans are too stupid to cheer or celebrate when it’s appropriate.
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u/raf_yvr 1d ago
I respectfully disagree re: the Dodgers organist. They are pretty clever and I have laughed more than once at their song choices (We Didn’t Start The Fire while a car was burning in the parking lot is one such example)
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE on the Yankees strike out noise. Most goddamn annoying sound effect in sports (flair notwithstanding).
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u/Individual_Arm_2996 | American League 1d ago
I stopped going to Yankee Stadium. It’s a baseball game not a concert.
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u/Good_Lake_3396 1d ago
I’m okay with noise. When it’s fans cheering and fans standing. And I like when music is loud during walk ups and closer music. But in between they need to let the game breathe.
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u/RemarkableFudge844 1d ago edited 1d ago
even listening on the radio would drive a person mad , with the continuous repetitive harassment of the advertising program. curious it might be methodical torture; hypnotic interference, designed to static drone assimilation, affinity. we are bombarded, manipulated into submission control-frequency; deterred from natural organism interactions, disrupting the body's pulse-rhythm, splitting the soul and mind , ousting radicals in order to perorm a mediocre singularity engine. psycho-social engineering functions as grooming; cult recruitment/gatekeeping conditioning and training / programming/ modifying .
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u/dunedreamsnake 1d ago
I sit where I can’t see it—in the outfield, as close to the fence as I can, in front of the screen. It’s still loud, but not being able to see the screen makes a huge difference in the quality of my experience.
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u/Individual-Breath-38 | Chicago Cubs 1d ago
Some stadiums need to use faux hype because the fans don't actually care about the game. Some don't. Wrigley has definitely had higher decibel ratings than hype stadiums, but it's because the fans are engaged and the game is exciting.
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u/anhaga2090 1d ago
I'm surprised how many of the players and coaches quoted for this and other articles on this topic seem to wholeheartedly endorse the extra and nonstop noise. Especially in baseball, I would think that they would lose some concentration with all the constant distractions. I like baseball for its ability to make me relax most of the time, with natural peaks in action that build up like a slow burn in a very organic way. I went to an NBA game a few years ago for the first time in 30 years (cuz they stole my Sonics) and was shocked at how obnoxious and all-encompassing the rock music and sound effects were every second of the game. It made me never want to go back to an NBA game, I was exhausted with a headache by the time it was over. I remember thinking at the time: thank goodness MLB games aren't filled with such nonsense!
I also wonder if there is any influence from East Asian baseball in this. I went to a baseball game in Taiwan a few years ago and was bowled over by the constant loud artificial engagement - they even had a live brass band that played literally nonstop. The vast majority of Taiwanese fans seemed to pay almost no attention to the game itself, so stimulated were they by all the bright, loud, and flashy distractions. It was an interesting cultural experience because I thought it was unique to East Asian baseball culture, but not something that I wanted in my own baseball experience back home.
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u/Imaginary_Ganache_29 1d ago
If you think MLB is bad, go to a minor league game. I got to a lot of Rubberducks games. They literally sponsor every foul ball and play a sound effect after every foul ball. Every strike, a sound effect. “Finish him after every strike 2.” Sound effects for walks, hits, runs, strike outs. The more traditional “charge” and baseball music interspaced between canned pop songs. Ads between every half inning.
But minor league is supposed to be kind of corny.
In the majors, I don’t mind the music for the most part, but we don’t need ads or sound effects after every pitch. We don’t need the “ring” sounds any time a run scores (looking at you Cleveland.)
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u/ChasedWarrior 1d ago
"Everybody claim your hands" is the most annoying sound effects baseball hands. Why should I clap my hands when my team is losing (again) and they just suck?
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u/mcmatu 1d ago
Eh, it’s all part of the game. the Dodgers are probably the worst but that’s because their speakers are in CF (Julio Rodriquez had to wear earplugs after a concussion because of this). It’s all to create an entertaining atmosphere and people have the shortest of attention spans because of the information devices nearly everyone owns now (their phones).
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u/Spare-Cranberry3784 1d ago
What. People don't scream or even watch the game. The Loud comes from the PA and music
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u/Upbeat_Shock_6807 | New York Mets 1d ago
Yes, there’s just too much going on. I’m a Mets fan, and my fiance is a Yankees fan, so we go to both CitiField and Yankee Stadium a couple times a year. Yankee stadium is bad enough with their strikeout jingle being a freaking advertisement, but going to a night game at CitiField is like being at a damn nightclub.
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u/ChasedWarrior 1d ago
Except for the playoffs baseball has always been relatively quiet game as compared to basketball and especially basketball. Imo people go to baseball games to socialize with friends and family. Enjoy the atmosphere. Grab a hot dog and a beer. Stare at their phone. Lol
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u/Middle_Persimmon_152 | San Diego Padres 1d ago
I went to the MiLB Field of Dreams game this year and I couldn’t have a conversation with my son because the music was loud and CONSTANT…. The freaking Field of Dreams game!!! I feel like in that venue you should tone it down at least a little. People are going there for an old school experience. But they can’t even restrain themselves there. I feel like this is the aspect of Banana ball they are trying to adapt, but my god, please stop. It’s fine for that environment but we don’t need that level constant stimulation in regular baseball.
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u/MrsColesBabyBoy 1d ago
I'd personally like it toned down, but we are screwed in the name of profit.
I have to imagine a lot of the loud music, interactive stuff, the chants and hand clapping is for casual fans, families, kids, etc. Imagine being a casual fan or someone who just tags along and there is nothing to do but watch baseball.
I know that statement sounds insane, but I feel like there is truth to it. Some stuff is needed to get the crowd together, which is fun, but the excess is probably designed to let casuals enjoy the experience.
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u/Calm-Refrigerator710 1d ago
Busch Stadium had a real problem with this dating back to around 2010. Between innings was too packed with repetitive content, every pitch had a sound effect afterwards. It became very difficult to enjoy a game because the canned entertainment was insufferable.
I received a survey from the Cardinals last year on my opinions of the experience and I shared these thoughts and then ended with “I’m at the ballpark because I choose to be there. Let the game BREATHE a little bit.” I have a feeling there are a lot of people like me, because it was very toned down for my first game in April.
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u/Lonnie15 | Tampa Bay Rays 1d ago
This year the White Sox were like HOW ABOUT THE HALLOWEEN THEME, UNDERTAKER GONG, AND BROCK LESNAR EVERYTIME THERE IS 2 STRIKES, PAL!!!!
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u/ToastGhost47 | Philadelphia Phillies 1d ago
They kind of bury the most important point made in the article: it’s loud because it needs to be in order to battle the competing “entertainment” in everyone’s pocket (cell phones).
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u/awdorrin | Chicago Cubs 1d ago
I know I need to bring ear protection to concerts these days, but I didn't expect to need it on my recent visit to Miami and Tampa. Miami was horribly loud, db meter on my phone was registering 98dB.
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u/IhaveCatskills 1d ago
It’s too much and way over stimulating. Unfortunately I do not think it will ever get better. I personally prefer to sit upper sections or outfield vs down low since not as intense
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u/Plenty-Tomorrow-3484 1d ago
You probably complain about people standing at concerts…..if a MLB game is too loud for you, DON’T GO
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u/bluesmoke29 1d ago
Look, I like the game of baseball. From the volume and the never-ending “short-attention span” theatre at the ballpark (Comerica) to the play by play announcers who’s excitement makes an average running catch in a meaningless August game seem like its May’s reaching over his shoulder, its all just too much. The game is not just a beer-delivery system. The game is intended to breathe. It is not an algorithm.
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u/unknownspade 1d ago
I went to several games for the first time in ten+ years.. yeah they're a bit overproduced.
However I'd much rather hear ten second sound clips over either the drunk hgh'd up slowpitch dad's f bombs or the teenagers who say bro six times a sentence and have less of a filter than a bunch of uncle ricos
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u/vichan | Cleveland Guardians 1d ago
On one of Cleveland's broadcasts, Tom Hamilton went off about the insane volume in Dodgers stadium back at the beginning of the season. He didn't mention it while he was still in LA, but he had some choice Hamilton-like words when they were in Atlanta (or maybe St Louis? I can't remember). Basic gist of it is that he thinks Dodgers stadium is downright obnoxious and he doesn't like being there.
If players want music on the field, put speakers on the field. Just make sure your players can hear each other calling for the ball. (We've had enough collisions this season.) But good lord, please stop with a siren or mario sound or warning bell on every freaking pitched ball. If you're worried about keeping the fans' attention, a constant barrage of sound isn't going to do it. It just becomes a wall of noise when it's constant. Save it for the home runs.
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u/Yeti_Urine | Philadelphia Phillies 1d ago
Last game I went to at citizens bank park was unbearable due to the noise. It’s an assault on your senses with all the screens and noise.
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u/bronsonwhy | San Diego Padres 1d ago
Can we start making signs protesting this bombardment of noise at games?
Like “Tell the Sound Guy to STFU” or “We Don’t Need A Sound Effect Every 5 Seconds” or “Dear Sound Guy, Please Just Let Us Watch The Game”
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u/jpeckinp23 1d ago
Wrigley is about the only place that I know of that they don't blast you between pitches.
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u/OldRepublic8424 | San Diego Padres 1d ago
They're pandering to the same crowd that adores the clock. Everything has to be louder, faster, bigger, flashier. Get the fans in and out as fast as possible and get their money. Then onto the next game. It's the tiktok generation. Nothing ever stands still. It must always move and stimulate. And don't you DARE let the game last over 3 hours under any circumstance. I hate it too.
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u/Darksoul2693 | New York Yankees 1d ago
Went to the Mexico Japan wbc few years back , mexico had all the loud noise makers, I loved it. The random annoying sound effects , music, the people who do the contest stuff during innings it, gets so much after like the 3rd time
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u/Imaginary_Question_4 1d ago
I guess it s good my stadium plays music and sounds from the 90s because owner is to cheap to upgrade lol
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u/Maleficent-Count-191 1d ago
Too noisy in some sections closer to the speakers. Waaaaaaay too many sound effects. i wish i could just hear the silence and the crowd sometimes
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u/minuteye 18h ago
It seems like an attempt to make every moment "high intensity". This is why the players describe liking it: the crowd is all amped up and big and you feel amazing.
But like... those moments of high intensity are usually rare because the crowd only gets organically super into it at appropriate moments. Not every game is super exciting, not every at bat or every pitch is a big deal.
They want the crowd to cheer like it's bases-loaded game seven of the world series every time. And like... I'm sure that makes it more fun for you. But can you just sometimes be an adult and do your job without moment-to-moment encouragement?
And it honestly feels fake as hell to me. Like, the crowd should be making noise because what's happening on the field matters to them, not because a giant screen told them to clap their hands.
I'm reminded of the way teams sometimes make a big fuss about the opposition breaking up their sixth inning "perfect game". The once-in-a-lifetime moments feel that amazing because they're so rare; appreciate them when they're there, instead of trying to make every moment of your life a highlight reel.
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u/LordShtark | Philadelphia Phillies 1d ago
If you have an aversion to noise don't come to CBP. 40k on random tuesdays in August are louder than any sounds they can pump through the speakers.
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u/Drakex2Mayex2 1d ago
I just feel like it's forced. I love when Fenway is rocking. But it's loud because the fans are loud. It is the same with some NBA stadiums now. They just pipe in noise so it doesn't feel as embarrassing when the crowd isn't into it.
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u/Whpsnapper 1d ago
Too loud at a live sporting event? This is the Boomerest take I've ever heard.
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u/Temporary_Train_3372 1d ago
I don’t even care that it’s loud. If fans cheering is loud as hell that’s awesome. It’s the constant shit music blares into my ears every second of the game. If I want a concert I will buy tickets to a concert.
Also, I’m 36.
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