Rituals, First Impressions, and the Opening Day Home Advantage

Abstract

Durkheim’s discussion on ritual and Goffman’s theoretical work on first impressions are used to predict superior performance among home teams on opening day. Information on opening day game outcomes is compiled and compared with the results of regular season and championship play. The analysis reveals a greater home advantage for teams playing in opening day games than for home teams competing in regular season or championship games. When controlling for the effect of stadium attendance on the home advantage, the opening day home advantage exceeds that of championship competition. The results suggest that ritual activity and concerns for first impression management may be factors that condition home team performance, offering support for the assertion that performance is partly a social product. Further home advantage research can direct attention to cross-cultural differences in the opening day home advantage and focus on qualitative data collection to supplement the current abundance of archival data.

Midweek Effect on Soccer Performance: Evidence From the German Bundesliga

“…less likely to occur in the event that is regarded as less important. These findings are in line with Ward (1998) who studied the effect of opening day matches in Major League Baseball on home advantage. In general, these matches are perceived as very important and described as " … more than 'just another game' … " and as a " … highly ritualistic and festive occasion … " Ward (1998, p. 280).…”

“…These findings are in line with Ward () who studied the effect of opening day matches in Major League Baseball on home advantage. In general, these matches are perceived as very important and described as “…more than ‘just another game’…” and as a “…highly ritualistic and festive occasion…” Ward (, p. 280). Therefore, players and fans in these matches are expected to be more motivated and as a result the home advantage should be greater.…”

The Home Advantage Revisited

“…Durkheim's (1965) discussions of the collective influence of rituals and ceremonies have also provided some insights into the home advantage. Ward (1998) has made the best use of these, arguing that the ritual inherent in opening-day baseball games should lead the crowd to provide even more support than normal. The desire of the hometown players to manage the first impression of their fans should also increase the chances of a victory.…”

Disconnects between popular discourse and home advantage research: What can fans and media tell us about the home advantage phenomenon?

“…Starting with Durkheim's (1965) views of the influence of the congregation, through theories of social support (see, for example, Leifer, 1995;Mizruchi, 1985), theories of ritual and Goffman's presentation of self (e.g. Ward, 1998), there are good reasons to expect the in-house audience to have an impact on game outcomes. The crowd can invigorate athletes to feats above normal, create a social context of support for the team and players, or symbolically foster a sense of ritual or ''other'' in front of which athletic performance occurs.…”