PRODIGAL'S CHAIR
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​THIS IS PC# 7:
THE SPORTS ISSUE

"Sport is a curious thing. it arouses great passion and great apathy."
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Sport is a curious thing. It arouses great passion and great apathy.

No. That's not quite right.

Even the apathy sport endures usually turns into an ardent hatred of the game and its fans, so that people who may have been indifferent towards sports start sending disdainful looks down upon those who enjoy playing or watching games. “There has to be,” they argue, “some better way to spend your time – some bigger issue to pay attention to.” And they may well have a point (we’re looking at you, Tom Brady’s balls).

Essentially, everyone has some opinion about sports; be it hot, cold, or somewhere in between. Which makes sport the perfect vehicle for exploring the human condition. For this issue of Prodigal’s Chair, critics and fans alike share their views on sports, both in general and specific terms. We view the curiosities they see when they cast a critical eye towards the pitch (or a pitcher), and look at how sport and competition has impacted their lives and shaped their fish-eye view of the world. 
Header art by T. Guzzio.

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I USED TO THINK
​​I DIDN'T LIKE SPORTS

CHRISTOPHER MATTERA COMES TO REALIZE THAT MAYBE HE IS A FAN AFTER ALL, JUST NOT THE KIND YOU SEE IN THE STANDS ON GAME DAYS.  

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ODES & TOADS: THIRTEEN BASEBALL ACROSTICS

LEE FOUST WRITES PLAYFUL POEMS THAT SKILLFULLY CATCH OUT A BAKER'S DOZEN BIG-LEAGUE TEAMS.

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THE RE-EDUCATION OF ​​A FAIR WEATHER FAN

TOM GUZZIO RECALLS WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO GROW UP WITHOUT THE ANCHOR OF A LOCAL TEAM, AND HOW MOVING TO TITLETOWN RE-DEFINED HIS FANDOM.

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I AM (AN) ​​IRONMAN

2.4 MILES IN THE WATER, 112 MILES ON A BIKE, FOLLOWED BY A 26.2 MILE RUN. DJ RACETTE OPENS A WINDOW INTO THE MIND AND MOTIVATION OF A TRIATHLETE.

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I HATE ORGANIZED SPORTS; THEY MAKE ME SAD

ED SCHUTTE SHARES ANOTHER PIECE FROM HIS DIGITAL ART SERIES, THIS TIME EXPLORING HOW HIGH LEVEL SPORT BOTH CELEBRATES AND IGNORES DIFFERENCE.

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BALLS, STRIKES, & THE POETRY OF THE ABSURD

BEN ADELMAN'S ESSAY EXPLORES WHAT KEEPS THE ATTENTION OF CASUAL FANS LIKE HIM GLUED TO A GAME.

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LOOSEN

SUZANNE BOUCHER'S POEM RECALLS THE PROCESS OF LETTING GO AND FALLING INTO "THE ZONE."

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UNWRITTEN: HOW HIDDEN RULES MAKE BASEBALL MORE CONFUSING.

PAUL BORST PROVIDES AN INTRODUCTION TO THE HIDDEN RULES THAT COMPRISE THE GAME INSIDE THE GAME.

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RUNNING FOR MY LIFE

FOR ​RAE PADILLA FRANCOEUR THE MOST STRENUOUS GAME IS THE ONE YOU PLAY AGAINST YOURSELF, WITH TIME KEEPING SCORE.

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ISSN 2378-5268
  • NOTES FROM THE OVERGROUND
  • MY COVID-19 SOUNDTRACK
  • ABOUT PC
  • PAST ISSUES