Yes, we live in the age of political correctness.

People love the Cleveland Indians’ American League record 22-game winning streak.

They dislike their Chief Wahoo logo of the smiling Indian head.

It’s offensive, after all.

And after years and years and years of the Washington Redskins being the Washington Redskins, that franchise remains under heavy pressure to change that nickname.

It’s offensive, after all.

A television network would not allow a broadcaster named Robert Lee to do a Virginia Tech game in Virginia — because his name is Robert Lee.

That’s offensive — to those still sensitive about the Civil War — after all.

Surprisingly, Jesse James is still being permitted to play tight end for the Steelers without changing his name.

Now political correctness has filtered into the world of high school sports — particularly the public address announcing at games.

The PIAA handed down a directive this summer to all member schools instructing them on what is OK and not OK to announce to crowds during these events.

Basically, p.a. announcers cannot be “homers” even though it is a home game.

What they say for the home team, they must say for the visitors.

Now that’s understandable when it comes to announcing the starting lineups or recognizing a member of either team for making an outstanding play.

But can one really expect the p.a. announcer to refrain from being exuberant over the microphone when the home team scores a touchdown in football or sinks a clutch 3-pointer in basketball, if the home team’s kicker drills a game-winning field goal, etc.?

It’s a home game.

It’s a game, period.

Games are fun.

Why would we want to turn p.a. announcers into robots, calling everything straight down the middle?

Come on, now.

I doubt the visiting players, coaches and fans will feel offended if the p.a, announcer in the booth gets overly excited about the home team winning.

If they do, they shouldn’t be involved in athletics.

I’ve seen plenty of classy moves at high school sporting events. An example is on some Senior Nights at gyms where the visiting team’s seniors are also recognized and honored.

When a high school athlete achieves a milestone at a road game, he or she is often recognized for it by that facility’s p.a. announcer.

People shouldn’t need a directive on how to act or conduct themselves at sporting events. A few exceptions in the crowd may need such a thing, but the majority?

No.

Public address announcers certainly don’t need to be told how to do their jobs.

Be fair?

Absolutely.

But if a game is being played in Butler or Mars or Karns City or Moniteau, etc., there’s no harm in letting people know it.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle