Changing Teams

A few weeks ago I was chatting with someone about the athletes we watched when we were growing up. The players that wore the hometown colors were the ones we loved to cheer for while the ones from the other towns were not really liked at all.

Some were down right hated by many of us because we perceived them to be a little bit dirty. Some were just really good but we failed to see that with the types of eyewear we possessed.

As time went by and we had the opportunity to get to know our opponents we learned to respect them as athletes. Some of those heated rivalries changed to friendly rivalries, as many of us became friends with a lot of the guys we played against. To this day there are a lot of opponents that I consider as friends.

During my elementary and Jr. High years there were three pretty good athletes that moved from Ritzville and ended up in Soap Lake, Harrington and Davenport. The guy that moved to Soap Lake became the state-leading scorer in football. I think he could have made our already good team better.

I played against the two that moved to Lincoln County and we played against each other on numerous occasions. We always played to win but we were still friendly postgame and had those early day friendships to fall back on. Whenever we see each other we renew those friendships from so many years ago.

We were lucky enough to have a couple of athletes move to Ritzville and they were welcomed and became great teammates and friends as if they had lived here all their lives. It was great to have good people move in but I always wondered what might have been had the others finished their careers in Ritzville. You can’t change anything but you can always think about it.

As fans we’ve seen changes at the college level where athletes perceive that they need a change of scenery or more playing time or dislike the coach or maybe they’re homesick and they transfer to another school. Sometimes these moves work out but sometimes they don’t. As fans we can have an opinion and it isn’t always positive until the new kid steps up and we fall in love with them.

In a few weeks the Major League trading deadline will see talented players going to contenders for youthful and hopeful talent going to the also rans. These trades help the teams that are lingering under .500 get rid of high priced players for kids that can help out their future. It’s a gamble that sometimes works and at other times not so much.

Those teams with high hopes in the playoffs are eyeing a starting pitcher, a relief pitcher or a steady bat that can help bring a few more wins as well as a few playoff victories. Teams don’t look at next season just the here and now.

If things work out maybe that player will be signed long term but it has to be right for both sides. I know a bunch of fans that hope their team can sign a player that can bring sudden success even if they booed the same player for years as a member of another team. Wear our uniform and all of that animosity will be gone.

The NBA will have a different look as so many teams are signing free agents for some amazing amounts of money. Are they hoping those players will become All-Stars or do they believe the other team will be weaker without that player?

Fans only care about winning and they will only be happy with those types of results. If losing games with a higher payroll is the result you can bet management will hear about it loud and clear.

A lot of players will be changing teams in the next few weeks and fans will have to get used to seeing someone they may not have liked wearing their team’s uniform. It happens every year and if your team is looking to load up on talent then you should be happy because there is a chance the playoffs are in sight.