A non-American’s review of American sporting events

I’m not a sports person — that is, I don’t regularly attend live matches, follow sports in the news or have a favorite team for quite literally any sport. And all of this, certainly not for American sports. So, what am I doing here? Well, welcome to Yana Mulani’s review of American sports, where I watch traditionally American sports and tell you what I — a non-American — think of them. 

Some context

First, for my life story: I live in Dubai where I was born; I’m from India; and I went to a British school up until the age of 18. This is all relevant, because hopefully it helps you understand why, to me, a football is a white and black circular ball, and cricket is the only sport I’ve ever remotely cared about.

I’m a senior this year, and I’m quickly realizing that it’s time to tick off all too he things that I’ve been putting off for the last three years. I especially want to do all the classic American activities that I don’t get to do on the other side of the world. This includes going to a ball game (which I recently found out means a baseball game), watching American football on a Sunday and cheering on grown men as they get put in the sin bin (ice-hockey, I’m coming for you).

I cannot promise technical terminology; I cannot promise you’ll learn something; and I certainly cannot promise you’ll find me funny. If you’ve still decided to read on — strap in, you’re in for one hell of a ride. 

The Super Bowl is not a baseball tournament 

The first time I heard of the Super Bowl was in year seven when everyone in my English class had to give a presentation on something we were passionate about. The one American boy in my year group spoke about American football, how it differed from regular football and how he’d gotten permission to come in late the next Monday in order to watch the Super Bowl. 

His explanation of American football and its connection to the Super Bowl must have completely slipped my mind, because by my first year at Hopkins, I was convinced that the Super Bowl was, in fact, a baseball event. I don’t know how my brain decided on this fact, nor do I remember how I learned it wasn’t true.

But by my junior year, I was an editor-in-chief for The News-Letter, and my roommate was (and still is) a Sports editor. Another one of my friends is from the Bay Area and is a staunch supporter of the San Francisco 49ers. Perhaps most importantly, Taylor Swift was a newly-minted Kansas City Chiefs fan...

All signs pointed to me watching the Super Bowl. This was my first time, so I had to get my Sports editor roommate to explain the rules to me. We’d just watched the Baltimore Ravens lose in the AFC final, so I did have some understanding of what not to do. But surprisingly, I really enjoyed myself! 

In the past, I’ve always been a little bored watching professional sports — not quite understanding the hype or being more interested in the food than anything else. I suppose in having all my friends around me — some screaming for one team, others for the other — I felt a sense of camaraderie. 

That’s one thing I’ve come to really appreciate about sports. It’s not that camaraderie, culture and belonging is unique to American sports, but the U.S. has been my first opportunity to experience it. I’ve never really given sports a chance before now, so I’m grateful that I was able to understand a little bit of what makes sports special during the Super Bowl. Maybe the 123 million viewers of the Super Bowl were onto something!

Oh, this is baseball 

Once I figured out that the Super Bowl wasn’t a baseball game, I decided that I did want to watch an actual baseball game and figure out what all the hype was about. So, two weeks ago, my friends and I trooped off to Camden Yards to watch the Baltimore Orioles face the Detroit Tigers. (Spoiler: We lost.)

My previous experience with baseball was limited to Wii Sports, and even there, I kind of just swung my arm when it was my turn. When we first entered Camden Yards, I was actually quite surprised at how respectful the crowd was. I suppose that’s because our seating area was full of families, but when you’re used to watching India-Pakistan cricket matches, it really catches you off-guard. But what I was most startled by was the “OH!” in the middle of “The Star-Spangled Banner” — a longstanding Orioles tradition.

We did manage to make it in time for the first pitch, though I was disappointed that the Orioles hadn’t invited a celebrity like on TV. Regardless, I found myself cheering along with the rest of the crowd, “CHARGE”-ing when prompted and booing when appropriate. 

When “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” came on, boy, did I feel American! And my Sports editor roommate had been singing “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” on repeat in the days prior, so I was sufficiently prepared for that, too. 

By the time the day was over, I had both a new appreciation for a day out at the ballpark as well as a somewhat incomplete understanding of the difference between baseball and rounders.

I’m seeing the Ravens! 

I know I dissed the Ravens earlier, but I actually have a soft spot in my heart for them. 

A few weeks after I received my Hopkins admittance, my friends and I were at the mall, and there it stood: a Baltimore Ravens T-shirt. I had been a little nervous about moving countries, but randomly seeing this T-shirt in the middle of an H&M felt like a sign. I didn’t even know who the Ravens were at the time. I just saw the word “Baltimore” and bought the shirt. 

I wore that shirt throughout freshman, sophomore and junior year, reciting the story whenever I was asked if I was a Ravens fan. At long last, I will be going to a Ravens game! My shirt will finally be put to good use as I scream myself hoarse along the 70,000 other fans at the M&T Bank Stadium. 

I just hope it doesn’t rain!