Strat-O-Matic: Club or Cult?

Four people are gathered around the glowing screen, staring intently. On the wall, a poster displays symbols that are incomprehensible to the unenlightened. These boys are playing baseball, but not in the traditional sense. They are managing fictitious teams in the baseball Strat-O-Matic computer game, as members of the club of the same name.

Strat-O-Matic baseball is a virtual interface for Fantasy Baseball, where members pick real life players and place them into imaginary teams, which they run themselves. Due to the complex and sometimes frustrating nature of the game, the membership is fairly small, but dedicated. This is not a club you join for kicks. On any given day, you can visit Mr. Leonard's classroom and see at least two people sitting in front of a laptop, playing the game.

The level of commitment to this club is fairly extraordinary, considering the level of commitment found in other clubs. This level of commitment led to Mrs. Johnson's "cult" comment, which she could observe first-hand because Mr. Leonard's room is just across the hall. Interestingly enough, by one of the definitions of "cult" (a great devotion to something), the Strat-O-Matic club is, technically, a cult.

This is not a religion, but it is definitely an obsession. This is a game that can transcend hobby, a game that the players can really become attached to. When they play, they sometimes deride their virtual players, or cheer them on. (Stefan can be heard yelling "Hobo!" from time to time.) There are inside jokes specific to the club. Of all the clubs at EMHS, this is one that comes closest to what an actual club is: a group of people who have mutual interests that tightly bind them together. If that is considered a cult at this school, then sign me up.

- Joe Phillips

Comments

[James National Park]

Come on. THis is gotta be the best club ever.