Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
September 14, 2001, Washington Post

For Now, No Time for Games

Like everyone, I have been watching the horrible events of the past few days. Although I am a sports fan, I was almost happy when, for the first time in more than 50 years, Major League Baseball canceled its scheduled games. And that other sports quickly did the same.

Who could possibly watch or play a game on a day like September 11, 2001?

But soon enough, the games will start again. And that is a good thing.

Our sports, our games, have always given people a distraction, a rest, from the sometimes sad events of the real world. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, some argued that Major League Baseball should stop because the country was now in World War II. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt insisted that the games go on. He knew that Americans would need the fun and joy that sports can bring during the dark days that were coming.

So, yes, we will go back to caring about and playing our games. Back to caring about whether the Washington Redskins can start winning. Whether Michael Jordan will come back. Whether Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa will hit 71 home runs. Back to rooting for Mia Hamm to score a goal for the U.S.A.

And once again, kids everywhere will put on the uniforms that they love so much and play soccer, baseball, football and all the other sports that mean the world to them.

And all that is good. But maybe after all that has happened we should go back to our games changed, if only a little bit.

Maybe we shouldn't let television commentators describe a football game as "a war." After all, now we know how wars are fought. Maybe parents, kids and coaches should not scream at referees from soccer sidelines. Haven't we heard enough screams? Maybe we shouldn't care so much about every instant replay. I have seen the replay of that plane slamming into the side of the World Trade Center enough times to last a lifetime.

Instead, maybe we should go back to find what is best in our sports. Back to the simple physical sensation of chasing a soccer ball on a glorious autumn day. Back to the wide-eyed wonder of watching the perfect arc of a home run or touchdown pass against the night sky.

Back to the joy that our games can bring.

Because after all that has happened, we could use a little joy.

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company