Any kind of press is good press right?
As I skim the Google croquet news feed on a regular basis, I can say that the sheer number of events that roll through the feed indicate that quite a bit of croquet is being played. It supports the belief that despite having roughly 3,000 registered USCA players in the U.S. for example, there are likely tens of thousands more that are playing the game in the backyard setting. So, that's good right?
Sure, I guess. However, I'm more often having a harder time not feeling disappointed when I click on the latest story only to gaze upon photos of people dressed in theme-wear of some sort and playing with toy mallets and giant wire wickets (example). Often times, comments on the game seem condescending.
The standard approach for the serious croquet player is that there are just different types of croquet to be played and after all it's meant to be a social, fun game. In my heart, I believe and enjoy that as well. After all, you don't see golfers sweating over miniature golf. Of course, I would also propose that all levels of croquet are fun and social.
So, why let another write-up on a social croquet event get under the skin? As a proponent of the game, you sometimes exist in an isolated world of people who take great pride in the game. Ultimately, to have so many stories come through portraying your passion as a bit of joke bruises the ego to some degree.
Of course, real croquet players know that the ego hardly matters. Plus, I suppose that level of misunderstanding by the general public is a bit of the enjoyment as well. For the people who get the sport of croquet, it's an exclusive little worldwide club that enjoys a wonderful little secret -- once you do get it, the game will blow your mind.
If competition croquet ever exploded, would losing that underground cult status ruin the fun? I hope not, but oddly enough, I think in the next decade we may find out. I can't quite quantify it, but for some reason their just seems to be a buzz about the game.
A final thought. Looking through this column it appears to be a little over the top bitter. I do see the newsworthiness of these entertaining little events; however, I would like to see a little balance with actual croquet coverage. Where is the SI coverage of Ben Rothman's crazy run at the World Championships? Where was the highlight clip from ESPN, Versus or Fox on that action? I think it's time for the sports media to learn the game.
