Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
The World Series is well underway with Boston taking an early 2-0 lead, but where exactly is the best place for a Swattie to catch the game? For those of you who haven’t watched the series yet or are looking to change viewing areas, Daily Gazette staff members have looked at a variety of options available on campus. A synopsis of the crowd and atmosphere in these dorms during Saturday’s Game 1 (with some Game 2 updates) is provided below. We hope that you will be able to find a place to watch that is ideal for you.
Willets
About 25 people watched the Saturday night game in Mephistos, a considerably smaller crowd than the one that watched game 7 of the ALCS on Wednesday night. The mood, as one might expect, was fairly subdued; it’s hard to “get up” for a game, even a World Series game, after the tension of the Red Sox-Yankees series. As it was the weekend, virtually all of the attendees were able to focus exclusively on the game as opposed to trying to finish up a problem set or some reading between innings. There were a few Cardinal fans around, including a refugee from loungeless Parrish, but Red Sox fans predominated. The loudest cheer of the night came when Keith Foulke struck out Roger Cedeno to end the game, after which the crowd quickly dispersed, bound for Paces, Olde Club, or perhaps some neglected schoolwork. On Sunday night, only about 10 hardy souls watched the game in Mephistos, though a few more cycled in and out. Several of the watchers were also hard at work.
ML
Postseason baseball in ML attracts a crowd of 15-20 people to the main lounge. A substantial majority roots for the Red Sox, but the rivalry between the Sox fans and the few Cardinals fans remains friendly. The environment is somewhat more sedate than other dorms, and a significant share attempts to multi-task by doing homework while watching, even on Saturday night. Almost everybody lives in ML, and the community vibe is strong. Baseball fans, especially those rooting for the Sox, looking for a group atmosphere without the rowdiness should consider the trip to ML for a game or two during the Series.
Mertz
A group of about 7 loyal Red Sox fans clustered in the Mertz lounge for the opening game of the World Series on Saturday, though many others trickled in and out to catch a glimpse of the score and watch for a few minutes. The atmosphere was fairly laid-back; a few fans watched intently while trading stats all night, while others were content to throw their homework into the mix. An early order from Cheng Hing provided nourishment for the fans, and the environment remained fairly dry, with only a single beer gracing the room. Although the mood became tense at times as the score became tied, Mertz was a very relaxed place to kick back and watch some baseball.
New Dorm
The first day of the World Series was ushered in by an odd sight in the New Dorm. The TV was off. No one was watching the game. It was quite different from the situation just a few days before when Red Sox and Yankee fans hunkered down in front of the TV and traded barbs. The crowd for game 7 on Wednesday consisted of about 30 people, with the majority rooting for the Red Sox. The atmosphere tends to be pretty loud, so don’t go to the New Dorm expecting to multi-task while watching the game. The Red Sox fans that were so devoted last week will likely return to watch the remaining games once the week starts again.
Woolman
The World Series attracted an impressive (by Woolman standards) crowd of almost ten people Saturday night, nearly filling the lounge. The crowd was quite placid, only erupting at the end of the game. Much Chinese food and reading was present. Remarkably, three non-Woolman residents came to watch, citing friends in the dorm. Without exception, the viewers were supporting the Red Sox. During Game 2, Woolmanites seemed to have other priorities, as the lounge was empty.
(and of course) Dorm Room Baseball
Rather than join the rest of their peers crowding into lounges, some students opt for watching the baseball games on broadcast television in their rooms. With the games being broadcast on Fox and no cable television allowed in Swarthmore dorms, students have to be a bit clever and have good “rabbit ears” to get reception–but get reception they can, on channel 80. Though the games can be a little blurry at times, these students prefer the privacy of their room for rooting for their favorite teams. Red Sox fan Anthony Orazio ’07 watched most of the ALCS in Palmer 101. At times he was joined by his roommates and others who would wander in to say hello and watch a few innings, amazed by the idea of having semi-lucid television reception in the privacy of one’s room. It’s not necessarily the style for those who insist on high-definition viewing, but it can be extremely functional for those who like to keep their agony and ecstasy a little more private.
