Issue 4 editorial

BOSM is about sportspersons, their performance and the games. But where would all this be without the cheering spectators. As I sat in the stands with cheering audience – ranging from random local residents passing cheap remarks to sophisticated sideline coaching by on-site experts, the power of sports as a unifying force hit me. At the same time, there is also the realization that the whole atmosphere is created by the audience and probably the players would perform somewhat differently if the stands were all empty. When BEP had spoken to captains earlier, they had complained about lack of support from BITS students in terms of cheering for the teams. The crowds have turned up in good numbers this year and players must be feeling a lot better about it.
Another random observation about BOSM: it seems a lot more like pure sports. No sports psychologists around, no funky analysis equipment and no expert physiotherapists. But all the same mind games are played; teams compete fiercely with total seriousness.
We have been watching all this and more from the closest quarters possible. We would like to thank our readers for their encouragement. Our blog has received a tremendous response, with over 750 views in a day. A lot of alumni from different parts of the world have also been visiting it. Live blogging has received live comments too. So for the next day our total focus will be on the blog and there will be no print issue on Sunday as the Reprography facilities are closed on that day. Third Base will be back on Monday with post fest reviews, round-ups and much more.

Issue three Editorial

Sometimes when there is a lot happening all around, when things have moved far from their roots, it becomes necessary to sit back and re-examine the basics and get the perspective right. The purpose of a college sports fest like BOSM is to give opportunity to show sport skills and learn through participating in events. But one cannot help but wonder if there is enough learning happening at this stage. Team-building, gamesmanship, treating the opponent fairly and with respect are all important learning points but so are meeting new people, developing tolerance for diversity in all aspects, broadening the understanding of things. The level of interaction between outstation participants and hosts just do not match up to expectations. But again the question arises – whose expectation? May be we have set the bar somewhere low enough to not bother about it.
Day one is over and so is some part of day two. We have seen some great matches, some forgettable ones. The society’s self created notion of hierarchy in sports is the reason for a lot of imbalances and frustrations. But the effort of BEP has been to cover all sports. Third Base will be back again with more news and views. Till then, play, cheer or jeer but join in anyway!

Issue 2 editorial

After months of planning, BOSM has finally started. We are playing host to the largest number of participants so far. We have the highest sponsorship so far. I am sure you’ve heard these statements a lot of times earlier with reference to this fest. However, even after meticulous planning and care in implementation, there are always so many things that come down to last minute decisions, split second choices and in the face deadlines. Only the people who have been closely involved with the fest will know what went on behind the scenes. The chaos that was inside. The calm that is projected outside. But somehow things always happen. They fall into place. This is so characteristic of student fests and probably the reason why we leave every edition of the fest with more experience to make the next one even better.

The inauguration ceremony was a well managed affair. The crowds turned up in huge numbers. This was in sync with the rising importance that sports are getting in BITS. First it was the football league and then its basketball version that ensured that Gym G sees some activity through out the year. How tomorrow will shape up remains unknown. The scheduling is going on, changes will still be made. But then we are students – ready for anything, anywhere, anytime. Even with all this uncertainty, once on the field order will prevail. With this belief and spirit, things will always fall into place. But whatever happens tomorrow, you can be sure that the Third Base team will be there to cover it. So keep reading.

Third Base Issue One Editorial

It is that time of the year again. Time when all attention is on Gym grounds for a change. When SAC is not just about departments putting enthu. This is the 23rd edition of the BITS Open Sports Meet (BOSM) and by the look of things, the fest seems to be going stronger than ever before. This BOSM is unique in the sense that it is a blend of things from past that we can’t leave behind and things of today that we can’t ignore to include. It is hard to keep anything isolated from the rest of the world. More so when you are talking about a vibrant student fest with close to 900 participants from all over India in addition to the hosts in Pilani. For the first time, cyber gaming will find a place in the sports festival. Sports as an entertainment package – that is the trend all over. The number of ‘auxiliary’ events this BOSM promises to make the fest a complete entertainment package – from panel discussion to a super selector like game.

Still at the heart of the fest will be the effort of sportspersons and the spirit of gamesmanship. Loads of reasons to cheer about this BOSM – maximum participation, highest sponsorship, diverse events and the Olympic cheer. Let us enjoy all this while they last over the next four to five days. At the Third Base, we will bring you the closest possible view without actually being in the picture itself. In some ways a justification for the name. This issue of the Third Base is all about the pre-fest preparation, the hard work of people who are not playing themselves but setting up the stage for others to compete.