I’m not a sports guy. I’m not a hockey fan. I am, however, a supporter and a booster of our area and of my hometown of Springfield.

Like hockey fans I’m mourning the loss of the Falcons, but perhaps for different reasons. I believe a professional sports team of that caliber adds immeasurably to the local culture.

Springfield has a fine symphony and popular theatrical events offered by the good folks at CityStage. It has some great restaurants and one of the best blues clubs in the nation. The City Library and the Springfield Museums are constantly presenting a wide variety of events, as is the Bing Arts Center.

Having a professional sports team is a huge plus and for several years we even had two.

Now we have none.

I did attend some Armor games as I do enjoy watching basketball. The Springfield Armor had a pretty disappointing first season in 2009, followed by much more promising ones before its moved to Grand Rapids, MI, in 2014. Lack of attendance was one of the reasons cited by people as a reason for the move – a familiar complaint about the Falcons.    

I’ve always heard that Springfield was a hockey town. I think this designation was based, at least in part, on the longtime success of the Springfield team that played in the Eastern States Coliseum, but the question is if the city and its neighboring communities are still “a hockey town?”

I think the deck has been stacked against us.

I would contend that filling the Coliseum was a lot easier than filling the MassMutual Center.

Consider that the height of popularity for Eddie Shore’s Springfield Indians/Warriors/Kings preceded cable television with packages of NHL games. There was a time if you wanted to watch hockey, you had to go to a live game. Those days are long over. What is more attractive to hockey fans? Watching the Bruins on television or watching the Falcons in person? You tell me.

Assistant Managing Editor Chris Maza pointed out to me several other factors that helped erode the “hockey town” designation. The Civic Center Garage needs work. It’s a pain to exit. Some news outlets continue to paint downtown Springfield as a terrible unsafe place. When was the last time you heard about a criminal act that victimized a hockey fan go to or returning from a game?

The competition for dollars and eyeballs coupled with the power of human inertia to actually move your backside off the couch actively work against the support of a local professional sports team.

I hope Bruce Landon is successful in finding a team for Springfield and I hope that people who love hockey will support it. To make it successful, though, the garage must be upgraded and people should start realizing that downtown Springfield is a lot safer than some in the local press would want you to think. Those latter points may be more challenging to accomplish than finding a team.

Your questions are needed

I will have the privilege of moderating a debate between the candidates for Hampden County sheriff over the Focus Springfield channel and streaming on the Internet on May 9 and I need your help. What would you like me to ask? Let me know by posting your questions to our Speak Out page. Be specific to a candidate or be general. I just want to know what are the important issues to residents.

I’m thinking of asking them to tell me what is their spirit animal. That may be a good starter.

By the way

Yes, I’m still writing film reviews, but they have moved online. Check them out at our site under the Dining and Entertainment button.

This column is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the position of the owners or advertisers of this newspaper. Got a comment about this story? Go to http://speakout.thereminder.com and let us know.