Age of Spectators as a Factor Influencing Behavior at Minor League Hockey and Baseball Games

Abstract

To assess the behavior of 10 age groups of spectators while viewing children's minor league hockey and baseball games the behavior of 272 (males = 142, females = 130) randomly selected hockey spectators and 90 (male = 46, female = 44) randomly selected baseball spectators was assessed on the Spectator Observation Code. The predominant behavior emitted during each 10-sec. observation interval was recorded. During each session, three subjects were observed in serial order for the duration of the hockey or baseball game. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Newman-Keuls comparison tests. Significant differences existed for some spectator behaviors when the age of spectator varied.