Jazz/rock bassists: Did you play center (football) or catcher (baseball)?

[KansDem]

I have this theory that jazz and rock bassists, if they played sports, played center on football teams and catcher on baseball teams. The reasoning is this: both catcher and center are active all the time, yet they are "out of the limelight" most of the time. The attention is given to the pitcher and quarterback mostly, as well as any other player who happens to be involved in a particular play, like ends and backs (football) or infielders and occasional outfielders (baseball). Those of the "glamorous" positions. Yet, the catcher and center are just as active in supporting the glamorous positions, but still in the background. Each play cannot be executed without them.

It's similar with bassists. Active all the time but in a kind of "supporting" role. The soloists are the "glamor" positions. However, as a bass player myself (and former football center), I enjoy(ed) the role of being in the background but always active and instrumental in the performance of the play (no pun intended).

Any thoughts?



edited for clarity...

[ghostsofgiants]

1. Last time I played an organized sport (hockey) was probably 13 years ago (when I was 10) but...

But I never had a set position. Then I just quit hockey and started skateboarding, which has no positions. So your theory doesn't work for me, at least, haha. I DO like to avoid unnecessary attention though, so I guess that part kinda fits.

[Magrittes Pipe]

4. Skateboarding has no positions?

What about the "in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the half-pipe" position?

[ghostsofgiants]

5. Touché...

Though I only skate street, so it'd be more along the lines of the "in a crumpled heap at the bottom of a set of stairs" position.

[unpossibles]

2. I prefer disorganized sports, like skiing, cycling, etc

which I can do alone or with a group.

When I did (badly) play little league baseball, I played outfield usually.




Also, I am a pitcher more than a catcher, but .... never mind.

[darkstar]

3. That's CRAZY...this has been a pet theory of mine for years

It started when I realized that playing bass was like catcher in another way. Several bass players in my expanding circle (local-->regional-->mid-west)had gone on to bigger and better things than most of our groups' peers, but none of the hot shit guitarists, the singer-songwriters, or the front men/women. They were making money, too.

Then it hit me that back when I played ball, coaches and my dad would always say that playing catcher increased your odds of advancing to college ball, the majors, etc. A theory was born.

And you've articulated the "reasons why" this might be the case above very nicely, i.e. non-glamorous but in on every play, etc.

:hi:

[DarkTirade]

6. Although I just picked up bass recently, I never played sports

but in my other musical endeavors I'm always the one in the back supporting other people. I'm just not a limelight/solo kinda guy. :) When I was in chorus I was in the back row, singing stronly enough that everyone in front could hear the right notes. And when I was in orchestra they usually put me in the front of the second violin section. I wasn't the solo type, but I was good at keeping things together. During rehearsals I'd often sit in the back of the section instead of the front, for the same reason I was always in the back row in chorus.

[mikeytherat]

7. Football = DE, soccer = keeper

Me on bass (as Thomas Jefferson keeps a watchful eye on my Ampeg stack and wireless rig):


mikey_the_rat