Home-field advantage is given for a reason

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

“DE-FENSE! DE-FENSE!” Can you hear it? The home supporters cheering their team to victory in a close, meaningful game. Being able to have your fans back you up when you need it the most is a big part of sports.

Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, PNC Park saw its first playoff game in its history when the Pittsburgh Pirates played host to the Cincinnati Reds in the Buccos’ first postseason appearance in more than 20 years.

The Pirates took a 2-0 lead early in the game on a pair of home runs off of Johnny Cueto, who was shaken into submission by the Pittsburgh fans that were loudly chanting “CUETO! CUETO!”

At one point, Cueto was so shaken that he actually dropped the ball while standing on the mound. He served up a home run on the next pitch.

While the Pirates, who are a very talented team, may not have won the game based solely on the support of their crowd, it does help back up the fact that having home-field advantage does, in fact, matter.

As a baseball player myself, I love more than anything when I get a chance to pitch at home in front of the people who get riled up when I succeed. It just gives me more energy to be pumped up when the crowd is ready to rock.

Here in Flagler County, high school sports usually attract great following, often drawing large crowds. At Flagler Palm Coast High School, football and soccer matches generate loud and fired up crowds, always looking for a big play to get loud about.

But still, some people question if having home-field advantage is something to take seriously. I, for one, think it matters a lot. Who’s to say that the Miami Heat would have won the NBA Finals if they didn't get to play Game 7 at home?

The momentum and vibe of the crowd always feels like it gives me more of a competitive edge on the field.

“Home field does matter,” said FPC baseball player Matt Hillman. “It matters because of the home crowd, and you have to represent your school and show them what you are really about.”

And other athletes would agree. Going to the ballpark to watch your favorite team play means a lot more to the athlete than you might think.

So when you get a chance, head to the closest sporting event near you — high school, college or professional — because, like the Pirates, you never know when you’ll get another chance to show your team pride. Home field is given for a reason, so take full advantage of it, fans.

— Gavin Ewbank is a junior at Flagler Palm Coast High School.

UPCOMING GAMES
Volleyball
FPC vs. Matanzas 6 p.m. Oct. 17 (Senior Night and Dig Pink event)
Football
Matanzas vs. Pine Ridge 7 p.m. Oct. 11
Flagler Palm Coast vs. First Coast 7 p.m. Oct. 18 (district game)