Thanks for coming to futbol’s defense.

It’s interesting. When my eldest daughter starting playing, it was fun watching these preschoolers all chase the ball in a happy scrum. But now, four years later, it’s fun watching how they have learned the game. They know that they shouldn’t always go where the ball is, but where the ball will be. They know that if a teammate has control, they’ll pass it to them away from the defense. They know not to kick the ball in front of their own goal and to center it on the attack.

I didn’t start playing soccer until college because when I grew up in Springfield, only southenders played. But I can say without reservation that it is the funnest game I’ve ever played. It’s not for the lazy or easily-fatigued. But if you crave action, you’ll love soccer.

Thanks for commenting,
Dan

But, is golf a sport? Anyone? I think it’s a game, yes. But is it a sport?

Many good comments, on an interesting topic. But I have to weigh in on the sub-topic of soccer. If randomly running around a field is what disqualifies soccer, then shouldn’t football be disqualified as well? I’m not of the opinion that football isn’t a sport (I love the game), but I just think that it also centers on what could be seen as random running. Most of the ath-A-letes on the field NEVER touch the ball and simply advance a few yards one way or another (think O-line and D-line). What’s up with that?

My point is that by dumbing down soccer and removing what makes it unique and interesting (the HIGH skill level, coordination and physical fitness needed to excel at it), of course it comes up short – but so would football.

I like Russ’s comment that a sport is something that a shmuck like me couldn’t play professionally (to paraphrase) . . . I also like Nancy’s comments (as a general rule) . . .

I do agree with Russ that a sport should have a clear definition of a winner and a loser. That does hang me up a bit because in some sports you can have a tie…I like the idea of extra innings, overtime, sudden death, etc, etc…but after watching an entire extra period of hockey, even I have to admit, “Screw it guys, just call it a tie and go take a shower…enough already.” And seriously, a Green-White checkered finish? YGBSM. There, that’s your answer about whether I am or am not a current Nascar fan.

I won’t get to far into the cheerleading debate…I know young ladies who are cheerleaders who are quite athletic, practice diligently, go to competitions, and regard it as a sport. I don’t personally qualify it as a sport, but I do recognize that some of the participants are athletes.

Hmmm…have I raised a different threshold where we disect the participant and not the activity??

* There must be a winner and a loser.
* Results must be based on tangible scoring like runs, goals, points, etc. and not the opinion of a judge (especially French judges). Sorry gymnasts, divers, and figure skaters. ‘Artistic Merit’ should never factor into anything wanting to be considered a sport.

And Tammy, with all due respect of course, if you want to call cheerleading a sport then you have to give the same to the marching band. I just don’t think we’re ready for kids to be bragging about lettering in clarinet. Slippery slope. Slippery Slope.

Actually you have to give the organizers of NASCAR some credit. It is the greatest marketing ploy ever perpetrated on the American public.

N on
A thletic
S port
C entered
A round
R ednecks

I don’t think the spectator part of it should enter the equation. Even though many more people pay to watch men play basketball than pay to watch women play, the women’s game is no less a sport.

So are you an ex-NASCAR fan or a new NASCAR fan?

Thanks for commenting,
Dan