Leaners
by urhockey22 on Mar 7, 2010 12:44 PM EST
81 comments
So I experienced something new at a Caps' game last night against the Rags. My friend and I were sitting in our season ticket seats and, while the seats in front of us are also season tickets, one of them was occupied by a guest last night. The guest was a leaner, blocking my view of over half of the Rags' zone in the first period.
Now, I have run into leaners before. Usually, I politely ask them to lean back, they realize what they were doing, apologize, and lean back. Not this guy. This guy informs me that I am out of luck because people in front of him are leaning forward and I should talk to them. Well, actually, he should talk to them, but okay, no problem. I told him I would do that. I waited for the period to end so as not to disrupt other fans enjoyment of the last 5 minutes and then again, politely, asked him who was leaning forward. Long story short, we nearly came to blows. No class.
At first I was ready to just chalk it up to bad luck and hope that this guy did not reappear come playoff time. Then, as I was talking about it with my friend outside after the game, another season ticket holder approached us, said he had overheard the conversation, and told us that he had been having similar problems. Some further help from a friend then showed me that we really were not alone: http://www.japersrink.com/2010/2/5/1296007/friday-caps-clips-a-somewhat-dirty#30310394
The other season ticket holder mentioned that he had dropped an e-mail to Ted Leonsis about the issue, and had gotten a very nice response. I, too, sent Ted a note last night. I suggested that something about leaning be added to the Puck In Play announcement at the beginning of the game (and possibly each period) so that folks would have some established credibility when asking people to lean back and that the ushers would have something to cite to if they had to get involved. I also got a prompt and pleasant response from Ted.
If any of you have had similar problems, it may be worth mentioning it here so word spreads or maybe even dropping Ted a nice note (WashingtonCaps@aol.com) in further support of some kind of announcement. For the regular season it is not a huge deal, but the playoffs are another story.
Above all, I was just glad to get confirmation that I was not wrong in my understanding of hockey fan etiquette. A public thank you to you for your kind response, Mr. Leonsis. Go Caps!
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I'm curious
Where are your seats, cause I’ve heard this issue many times, are they lower deck or upper deck. I just can’t figure out if “leaners” are blocking the view down or across, if you understand that.
Oh, ok.
Well, then I apologize as I know I’m a leaner. Do I get a more class credit that I also try and duck my head. I know that there’s people behind me, but nobody has ever said anything. But even still when I lean I also duck my head as much as possible to allow the folks behind me more of a sightline.
You get credit for ducking if you lean, yes. The big thing about my experience is not so much even the leaning, as I think everyone does it every once in a while whether they know it or not. My issue was the reaction when I asked the person to lean back. If no one has ever complained, you have no reason to know that you are in the way.
So, bottom line, you get class credit - though it may be worth keeping an eye on how far you are leaning or an ear out for people behind you quietly grumbling :)
Don’t ever lean. Why do you lean? Whyyyy? What is the reason?!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
For one, if I’m into the game it’s just more natural than sitting back. You know when they say Ovi brings fans to the edge of their seats? Well that happens to me. I also lean because I’m usually beside people who crowd arm rests and I need my own room and not some stranger leaning up all on me.
Not thick enough. Dirty leaner. Stop leaning!
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Sorry, but I’m just into the game. It’s also better than sitting there arms crossed, like I’m in some pissy mood like some fans are. But for the record, if some one should say something, I will sit back.
by Capsfan07 on Mar 9, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry. Regardless of your justification, you’re part of the problem.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Well then I’m sorry but it’s probably not gonna go away, unless they start throwing people out for it.
Well, you’re not willing to accept that YOU are part of the problem, then I’m not willing to accept your “apology.” I barely saw any of the scoring plays that occurred in my end of the rink tonight because the people in the rows in front of me were either leaning or standing. Semin’s goal? Didn’t see it. Why? The guy in front of me decided to stand. . . when Semin had the puck AT THE BLUE LINE.
I understand getting excited, but I paid to see the game, not your ass/shoulder/back of your head.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I hate the leaner that sits in front of me every game, but I will admit that on breakaways….all bets are off.
by psuscott1 on Mar 11, 2010 1:10 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, but Semin’s goal wasn’t really a breakaway in the truest sense of the word. Furthermore, I’d be ok if the guy started to get up right before he scored – but he fully stood up before Semin was fully over the blue line. That’s a bit premature in my opinion.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
I get plenty excited, believe me. But I also realize that I’m at a public event and my actions have effects on those around me, and therefore I attempt to exercise a little self-control. On top of that, I frequently have children sitting behind me and if I can’t see at my height, I hate to imagine what that kid’s seeing.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
So on the old thread, it looks to me like we had the following list for the pregame etiquette video:
- Don’t lean
- Don’t get up while the puck’s in play
- Watch your $#&*%ing language
- Silence your mobile devices
- Pucks can fly into the stands
- Don’t drink to excess and if you do drink, don’t drive
- Be nice to the kitty (thanks sparkly), and
- Don’t surf/Don’t eat your seat (thanks SeattleCapsFan)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 7, 2010 1:59 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Some more:
- When going to your seat, move quickly but carefully
- Don’t touch the glass as you walk by if there is glass on your way(I sit in the front row so I have glass)
- Don’t dress for the game in anything Don Cherry would wear
- Don’t criticize folks who yell out cheers for their team during the anthem. The First Amendment gives those folks the right to demonstrate that they are an [Avery]-hole
- Acknowledge that there is no force in the universe stronger than the will of Brooks Laich
Let's go Caps!
Don’t criticize folks who yell out cheers for their team during the anthem.
Um, no. In fact, “Don’t yell stuff during the anthem” should be the FIRST announcement. My biggest pet peeve of the whole game experience.
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 9, 2010 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree that people shouldn’t, but my point was being made somewhat tongue in cheek. The First Amendment guaranatees that there will be no laws against free speech. And with that is the corollary that the First Amendment guarantess that there will be no laws passed that can stop someone from proving to the world that they are an [Avery]-hole. :D
Let's go Caps!
1st amendment refers to public speech only.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Right. Which is why the Redskins could ban posters and negative t-shirts from their games.
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 9, 2010 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
Can we add hats to this? I didn’t have a leaner in front of me last game, but the brim of the dudes hat consistently blocked my view of the goal area. Lame.
↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → b a (select) start
Almost as annoying as that damned Yeti in Skifree… {grin}
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Mar 7, 2010 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
Some people wear covers because of religion and the like, but if I was asked to remove my hat, I’d turn it around so the brim wasn’t covering anything.
I should have saved my old signature. Oh well!
Don’t let Sombrero Guy see this…
Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!
by Scott in Shaw on Mar 9, 2010 10:47 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t drink to excess
Eh, i think that’s pretty much you’re privilege, as long as you don’t act like a douche. I was 3-4 rows from the top 2 yrs ago (the season closer vs Florida) and a bunch of guys and possibly their fathers were tanked by the third period. After Fedorov scored the game winner everyone went nuts and one guy lost his drunken balance, fell forward, and started a domino effect that ended with a guy twice my size falling on my back, throwing me into the row ahead. Luckily, the person in front was MIA so it stopped there. My foot got stuck in between the cement and the chair at first, pinning my shin against the back of the chair, and then I (as gracefully as possible) flipped and landed on my back on the cement after bouncing off the chair.
If you want to survive out here, you've got to know where your towel is.
by ns on Mar 8, 2010 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
This is why if I ever moved back to DC and got seaon tix, I would totally want to be in the last row upper deck on the press box side. Then I could lean all I want and just worry about blocking the biased Medias view
If Popeye got stronger after eating canned Spinach....Imagine what canned Bacon could do for Ovie.......
Heh, I sit in the last row in the lower bowl. No one behind me except a usually not full luxury box. And it’s near the goal line, so those people are near the other side of the box anyway.
"Ah, dinner. The perfect break between work and drunk." - Homer Simpson
I had tickets there last year for the Rangers-Caps “Semin goes bongo drums on MStaal” game. We had the parents of some of the Mites On Ice players in front of us who were only there to watch their sons and get up while the puck is in play to go to the bathroom/vendors. So being in the last row, I got to standing up for better parts of the game (unless your 8’ tall, you’re not blocking anybody’s view). :) All to better see Semin’s Mr. T Starter Set after MStaal ripped off Sasha’s jersey. :)
We went to the Thursday night game and picked up tix in 216. We had a couple of leaners down towards the Caps shoot twice goal. And there was a guy in front of us that kept standing up whenever there was a breakaway, not even standing up at the shot anticipating a goal that didn’t come, but he would stand up whenever a breakaway started.
Hi everyone. My name is katzistan, and I am a leaner.
I really try not to, and I slide back in my seat whenever I realize I’m doing it. But the games are so damn exciting.
by katzistan on Mar 8, 2010 10:14 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
I love how I see “2 New” and I get excited so I go check it out. And what do you know its Jordan with the same message twice!
Doesn’t bother me either!
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
I sit in the front row of Section 421 and I lean…back in my seat. The only times I lean forward:
During stoppages to yell “Unleash the Fury” when appropriate.
I don’t lean forward on a breakaway or shootout attempt as that doesn’t make sense. I do stand up for a goal, and after a win. I don’t stand up after a shoot out goal as it is not really a goal… (right people? Put those hats back on your heads!)
I used to have issues with leaners when I was in Row B before the lockout, but now it’s not an issue.
Let's go Caps!
I am not a season ticket holder, but I do go to about 5 games a year and I know the etiquette. It always seems that everyone claims the leaners are not sth and the non-sth don’t understand, etc, etc. This is bull. I’ve sat in more than enough sections where I’ve had season ticket holders in front of me who cry about people entering/exiting themselves, act like complete know it alls explaining everything to everyone in their vicinity (usually incorrectly), and all the while are leaning am blocking my view. I’m not very confrontational so I try to politely ask, but they don’t understand. Thursday I had a guy with his baby in front of me. Ok thats cool good for him, but don’t gold the baby up on your freaking shoulder the whole time. I can’t see through your babies head!
/end rant
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Mar 8, 2010 12:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Sorry about all the typos. iPhone FTL.
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Mar 8, 2010 12:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Without holding the baby up, how is the child to see the game?
I should have saved my old signature. Oh well!
On TV at home seems like a good idea to me.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
by jordanDC on Mar 9, 2010 8:25 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
He actually did leave midway through the second and didn’t come back. Thank goodness.
Поклон перед вашим капитаном!
by Knubles and Bits on Mar 9, 2010 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
At the Rangers game, I saw a first — somebody had their son sit in the seat with them. Not a toddler but a kid who must have been 12 years old sitting on his mother’s “lap” — basically too big to sit in her lap, so he was kind of sitting on her knee sidesaddle. There weren’t any empty seats in the row. I guess somebody complained because during the first intermission, an usher came up and asked for tickets, and the father (?) got up and went to a different seat several rows up. I guess they were trying to fit three people into two paid seats?
The famly wanted to sit together, but had two in one place and a third elsewhere… it happens. The 12 year old shouldn’t sit alone, so Dad had to move up…
Let's go Caps!
The upper level seems to have more problems with obstructed views, For my worst year ever as a STH, we sat on the aisle in the upper level but next to the portal and the portal and people walking up and down the stairs blocked over 1/4 of the ice, which lead to occasional leaning by my husband (This was before the new Jumbotron), The people who sat behind us, however, never said anything directly to us or ever complained to an usher. Instead, they preferred to make derogatory remarks to the air in voices that they made sure were loud enough for us to hear all game long, even if he was not leaning. They would even make derogatory remarks about him when he did not attend the game. I decided that one of the women was a complete nutjob when at one game, she screamed at a guy a few row down for standing up and when he said that he had to pee, she told him to go in his seat. I was never so happy as when I was able to move to different seats the next season. If you have a problem, please actually speak to the person or get an usher if you prefer not to speak directly to the person.
Just out of curiousity, what was the response Ted sent back to you? (if you don’t mind sharing).
I actually think that adding a gentle reminder about leaning would be a good thing to include during the pre-game announcements. Last year they starting giving the ushers those “STOP” signs, to remind people to only move when there is stopage in play, which was a great idea as well, and this would help to build on that. It really is all about making the game experience enjoyable for everyone in attendance, and let’s face it, there are a LOT of hockey new-comers at the games these days. I think that overall that is a very good thing, but it also means that there are a lot of folks who may not be aware of some of the finer points of etiquette for attending a hockey game.
No matter what the sport, there will always be those obnoxious fans in the bunch; those that drink too much, swear too much, fail to consider impact of their behavior on those around them, and those that fall into all of the above. There are also things, like the leaning, that are a bit unique to the proper etiquette of hockey game attendance, and it is those things that could easily be corrected by simply letting people know ahead of time so that they are conscious of it.
A reminder of this sort wouldn’t be unprecedented or ground-breaking either. I’ve attended quite a few games at M&T Bank Stadium (Ravens, football), and during ever ygame they post the “”http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2008/08/Dont_Be_A_Jerk.aspx" target="new">fan’s credo", which is basically a do’s and don’ts, with warnings about what will happen to those fans who fail to comply. The final item on this list is:
Have fun, root hard, show respect for the fans around you, but most importantly… don’t be a jerk.
(It’s come to the point where fans in attendance have heard it so many times that the entire stadium shouts “DON’T BE A JERK!!!” at the end).
"I am ready for his provocations"
by PaintDrinkingPete on Mar 10, 2010 11:06 AM EST reply actions
Sorry, always forget the using quotes around it breaks links…that should read:
A reminder of this sort wouldn’t be unprecedented or ground-breaking either. I’ve attended quite a few games at M&T Bank Stadium (Ravens, football), and during ever ygame they post the Fan’s Credo, which is basically a do’s and don’ts, with warnings about what will happen to those fans who fail to comply. The final item on this list is:
"I am ready for his provocations"
by PaintDrinkingPete on Mar 10, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
Congrats, leaners. . .
. . . and the “Caps Fan” who shows up halfway through the first and never waits for a stoppage in play, then gets up 5 minutes later, again not waiting. Then returns 5 mins later, literally with like 30 seconds left in the period. Never once waiting for a stoppage. Lather, rinse, and repeat for periods two and three. Honestly, I spend more time looking at the backsides of the people in front of me as you come and go than you do watching the game.
Anyhow, you win. After tonight, I think I’m ready to start selling most of my tickets. I honestly would’ve preferred to watch at home.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
That sucks, ever thought of saying something though? While it may be common courtesy/common sense to us, newbies who are used to football/baseball etc probably have no idea what’s going on. Saying something might help…
Then again, I’m not a confrontational person in situations like that, unless it gets really really bad. So I may not be one to be giving out advice.
BTW – too bad we didn’t meet up on Monday, I looked for you but didn’t find you. I think I have tickets to Friday now (not 100% yet), but either way I’d love to meet a fellow Seattleite at some point!
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 11, 2010 12:48 AM EST up reply actions
I have said something. Many times. I usually politely explain the situation and ask them to sit back in their seats. Some are cool, others are jerks, but most make an attempt for about half the game, then space out and start doing it again.
The reason this is so annoying for me is:
A) When I bought my season tix a few years ago, the Caps sucked, so there weren’t many people in my section, and those that were there were pretty die-hard STHolders. There was a standard of behavior. Every now and then someone new would come, but for the most part it worked. That situation no longer obtains. There are many “fans” who attend one or two games now and really don’t give a crap about what the other people in the section think of them. It’s one thing to be an asshole for a game, it’s another thing to do it for a whole season.
B) I sit right behind the goal. I chose these seats on purpose because I like the view. Every time someone leans, I lose my entire view of the net, which is unbelievably frustrating.
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
Yup, totally makes sense. In 412 on Monday I had two leaners in front of me and it really does block out the entire view. So I feel you, it just sucks that you feel like your only recourse at this point is just to not go.
Every time Nicky scores a goal, an angel gets its wings.
by SeattleCapsFan on Mar 11, 2010 8:54 AM EST up reply actions
Just to defend myself as a leaner. I do lean, with a duck as I said before. But when I go to a game, I do not leave my seat until it’s over. I do not shout single words of the National Anthem. I do not “whoop” former Caps. I don’t swear. I don’t drink. And if a puck should venture into my ST seats of 404, I will be aware and attempt to catch it.
See, here’s my issue: I don’t care about most of that other stuff because, frankly, most of it doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of the game (with the exception of not leaving/returning to your seats during play). I think that yelling out during the anthem (especially Baltimore traditions) is dumb, but hey, whatever floats your boat. I think “whooping” every former Cap is pretty dumb, too. But again, I think a lot of the things people do are dumb. Swearing just doesn’t bother me; I’m an adult and this is a hockey game. If you’re surrounded by kids, you might want to lay off, and every other word probably shouldn’t be an F-bomb, but if one occasionally slips out, no big deal. Drink if you want to. . . Hell, get plastered if that’s your thing. As long as you can maintain enough self control not to bother me with your behavior, I don’t care how much you spend on overpriced beer.
The reason I pay $22/game for an entire season’s worth of tickets is so that I can see what’s going on down on the ice. Leaners and people who get up in the middle of the play detract from my ability to see what’s going on down on the ice.
Clearly, you are capable of exercising self-control when at the game, so why not just exercise it in this one area?
There's a fine line between arrogance and ignorance and only I manage to erase that line.
by D'ohboy on Mar 11, 2010 8:07 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well see I think of it the opposite way. I’m surrounded by idiots in 404 that do all of the above. So I think I’m entitled to lean forward and enjoy the game and block out the morons around me.
Soo…because they’re misbehaving, you should too? This confuses me. Why not set a higher standard?
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 11, 2010 5:21 PM EST up reply actions
See, that’s the thing. If you’re leaning forward, you are doing something to someone else. You’re blocking their view of the ice. The folks above you have to find a way to look around you or just miss the play because you’re leaning. I’m sorry that there are obnoxious fans in your section but I don’t see how that justifies obstructing the view.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 11, 2010 9:56 PM EST up reply actions
Unless someone complains directly to Capsfan07 from behind him, I don’t see how it’s too wrong.
I should have saved my old signature. Oh well!
what part of 404?
"the other day on sportscenter they said something along the lines of "the capitals score so much tiger woods is jealous" haha had me laughing hard while i was eating my cereal"
I can vouch for that — every time a scoring chance came in that end, the people in the first three rows of 408 just stood up en masse, or came to half-standing crouches, which is just as bad. When that happens, you lose the entire zone below the faceoff dots — it’s terrible, the interesting plays that decide games are totally obscured. The play along the boards behind the goal is also obscured when people lean-in and when the dude on the rail starts leaning, it starts a chain reaction.
I can’t even count how many times people were asked not to lean last night, then they did it anyway. One guy in a red Kolzig jersey just insisted on standing at any moment that was remotely exciting. You’d think a guy sporting a 37 sweater would know better, but apparently not. It’s not like I’m short, either — I clock in at between six-feet and six-one with stubby legs, so my torso is fairly long. If I can’t see when people lean, it’s a fair assumption that most of the population can’t, either. As D’ohboy says, isn’t the point of being at the game to see what’s on the ice?
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 11, 2010 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
And in the process, blocking the view of everyone behind you, so no one else can see what’s going on down there.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Mar 11, 2010 9:53 PM EST up reply actions
As far as moving while the puck is in play, the ushers used to do a better job of preventing that. While the responsibility to not move is on the fan, the usher should have control of it in their job description, at least as far as returning to the seat.
I should have saved my old signature. Oh well!
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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