We've all been there at some point. You're sitting at a baseball game, the action is slow, you're not really sure of the score or what team is at the plate. You're really more concerned with finishing your hot dog, where the guy who sells Coors Light has wandered off to, and if that girl sitting 5 rows down to the left wearing a wife beater is actually hot or just has an amazing chest... Then something brings you back. In fact, it brings everyone in attendance back together in an act of unity and team spirit that will lift our boys of summer to unknown heights of performance.....

Da na da na da DA.........

Charge!

The organ player has once again come to our team's rescue.

I often find myself pondering on the organ player during baseball games. Of course there is enough time during a game for me to also ponder what the "M" in MTV could possibly represent, how many degrees of separation there are from Kevin Bacon to Brett Favre or how to solve the fundamental theorem of Calculus*. (yes baseball is boring)

Back to my point, who is this organ playing hero? How long has he / she been with the ball club? Does she get a wear uniform? Do they have a rare gift of realizing when and where specific organ-based songs should be applied during sporting venues? Is this gift learned or are they simply born with this inert knowledge? Where do they take these abilities during the off-season? A church most likely, but I'd also like to think that they may also do some side work with rock bands. Someone had to play the opening of "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince after all.

Bertha gets crazy... Bertha gets nuts...

I realize that in the modern era of baseball they most likely don't use a real organ, and it saddens me. I always enjoyed imagining an old blue haired lass up high above the stadium urging the crowd to get behind their team with her beautiful pipe music. I picture her with a concerned look on her face as the relief pitcher throws a ball to bring the count to 3-2 with one out and a man on second with the home team clinging to a 3 run lead...

Da na da na da DA.... CHARGE!!

And the organ player comes to the rescue once again.

But the lady of my imagination no longer works there. I know this. Well, at least she doesn't exist outside of the minor leagues. I imagine if you head out to a Southern League baseball game between the Tennessee Smokeys and the Montgomery Biscuits (both real teams) down in Kodak, Tennessee (if you can find it) you might still hear the mighty pipes ring loud and true as the organ player wills her team to victory.

The real MVP of the Carolina Mudcats

However, in the professional ranks as in life, things must evolve. Someone had to replace the organ player at sporting venues across the country. After all, we fans could never be entertained by simply watching the action on the court / field. We need something. We need someone who will give us the insight as to when its appropriate to cheer, when its time to dance, and when its time boo for the opposing teams starting five and stand and cheer for ours. Someone who knows when it's appropriate to insert the occasional C & C Music Factory song, Whoomp There It Is jam, or the "Hey" song. I'm talking about the organ player of the digital age.... the Game DJ.

Now I find myself pondering on this unique talent. How is it that a man / woman can know exactly when to play what songs to keep the crowds hype and the opposing teams down? Much like athletic ability, size, and dance moves it must be something you are born with. I picture him up there, with a Lacoste polo that matches his wristbands, a hat sideways or possibly a headband with his trusty selection of Baja Men, EMF, Queen, Will Smith, and Kool and the Gang by his side ready to bring the crowd to its feet whenever our team needs it.

"WHO LET THE DOGS OUT! WOOF, WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!"

Game DJ to the rescue again.

The Game DJ brings the crowd to its feet

The Game DJ isn't limited to American sports. In fact he is now an international phenomenon. He can be heard at soccer games all across the world bringing the crowd to life with the latest cuts from Anastasia, Madonna and the Black Eyed Peas. The Game DJ, like its organ playing predecessors, is now one of sport's true unsung hero's.

A game DJ in England keeps the crowd involved in a Tottenham Hotspur match

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* Editor's note: The M stands for music, Brett Favre was in There's something about Mary with Ben Stiller who was in Meet the Parents with Robert De Niro who was in Sleepers with Kevin Bacon, making it at most 4 degrees, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus need not be solved but can be proven, an example of which can be found here.

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