Amateur Sports: Farewell to Field C

The author reflects on the increasing professionalization of sports, where it is becoming more of a spectacle for passive audiences than a participatory activity. This column aims to champion amateur practice, highlighting its shared foundations with professionalism and offering insights into the sporting world.

Experiencing an incredible stadium during the World Cup in the United States, the author had the chance to walk on the field in Los Angeles before a match. Even empty, the field evoked a sense of awe and the realization that reaching such a level requires overcoming many challenges. The author posits that an amateur player would likely struggle immensely due to stress and sensory overload, comparing the difficulty to descending Kitzbühel on skis without mastering intermediate steps.

Stuck in the world of amateur fields, the author recalls simple settings with a running track, a few spectators, and a wire fence to keep balls from straying into nearby cornfields. Having played for the same club since 1982, the author is familiar with specific grounds, notably 'terrain C'. The 'A' field is for the main team's matches, offering brief glory, while 'B' is for muddy winter training sessions.

Terrains C and D, acquired later through a farmer's donation, are used for juniors, veterans, and summer training. The author notes a parallel between their arrival at the club and the acquisition of these fields, suggesting a shared journey and a sense of belonging rooted in these humble grounds.