The Ulimate Sports Debate; Hockey=Best, Baseball=BORING

This is tough for me because there are several sports I really like.

1, 2 and 3 are virtual ties for me. I'd put Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics and some other Olympic sports in my top #3 too but I'll try to stick mainly to the sports mentioned already.

1. Football - If I had to choose a favorite this would probably be it. The overall athleticism of the participants is unsurpassed in sport. IMO, there is more strategy than in any other pro sport because of the # of players, the specialization of the different positions, and the rules.

2. Basketball - Basketball is great because you have to play offense and defense, athleticism definitely helps and makes the game exciting but is not a must to be a great player if someone can develop skills passing and shooting. Plus it's easy to get a game going down at the park and if not, you can always just shoot baskets til someone shows up.

3. MMA - There aren't many sports that require a willingness to get banged up to the degree that MMA does. Every component of athleticism must be paid attention too and no matter what, there is always the chance of losing the fight in a single moment if you make a mistake that your opponent can capitalize on.

4. Hockey - I like watching hockey sometimes but not regularly. I think it requires a decent shape to be good, a certain level of toughness and definitely skill. But there's just not enough scoring to keep me interested. It's like "oooh here we go!!!" and....no. Someone could say there's not a lot of scoring in football either but at least there are 1st downs and some sense of progress whereas there is virtulally none in hockey.

5. Soccer - I feel kinda the same way about soccer as I do about hockey. I never saw why soccer was so popular. I think it requires a person to be in great shape but the lack of scoring bores me.

6. Baseball - I like playing baseball. It's fun to play and just relax and it does have a cool American feel to it. But it's one of the most overrated sports as far as difficulty or athleticism go. Ya, athleticism helps. Ya, it has a long history. So do basketball and football. Ya, hitting a ball is hard. Hitting a badmitton birdy is harder. I read a summary one of my buds did for one of our kinesiology classes and the average baseball player runs a total of about 1.5 minutes over the course of the whole game. The only one's who really work hard for any duration are the pitchers. And the game moves too slow. If they had some sort of time limit you had to get the pitch off by I think it would make the game a lot more entertaining and I'd probably watch more.

I don't acknowledge golf, bodybuilding or NASCAR as sports. They are hard and take skill to be good but I don't think they require enough athleticism during the competition to warrant being called sports. It's getting to the point where we're calling everything a sport and we need to draw the line somewhere. Next thing you know the Rubik's Cube World Championship participants will be called athletes.

But at the end of the day, really what sports we like or dont like are just a matter of opinion.
 
Both are crap. Pointless thread
 
Markus Leon said:
To bad you have to take drugs to compete in American football, no need for that in soccer which is good.
Cycling is the most ridiculous sport tho, whoever takes the most drugs and gets away with it wins lol no technique no nothing just having the most juiced up cardiovascular system haha
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Why did you have to go say that? I have only seen one soccer basher in this thread, and his comment doesn't even warrant a response.

There is steroid use in the NFL, I have no doubt of that. I can also safely say that its in the minority. The NFL has weekly drug screenings for performance enhancing drugs, and although its possible to beat the tests, it keeps most people honest.

Why is it always soccer fans that start the American Football bashing while the football fans leave soccer alone?
 
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aevans410 said:
There is steroid use in the NFL, I have no doubt of that. I can also safely say that its in the minority. The NFL has weekly drug screenings for performance enhancing drugs, and although its possible to beat the tests, it keeps most people honest.
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A very close friend of mine played in a college team when he was studying abroad and about 75% of the players in his team didnt even deny using steroids, the rest said they didnt - who knows if they did. This was in a damn college team, to then think you could play in NFL without using is just naive.

aevans410 said:
Why is it always soccer fans that start the American Football bashing while the football fans leave soccer alone?
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Guess you missed the part of me not watching sports.
 
Markus Leon said:
To bad you have to take drugs to compete in American football, no need for that in soccer which is good.
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thats a pretty bold statement for someone who doesn't watch sports...

I know the NCAA tests for preformance enhancing drugs also. I know a couple of guys who played for the Ohio State football team.

You say a friend of yours who studied abroad told you that 75 percent of the people he talked to didn't deny it, so I guess it must be true... hell some guy on the net told me that all soccer players are gay... am I to assume that all soccer players are gay? No I won't, thats a generalization that I'm unwilling to make.
 
aevans410 said:
Why is it always soccer fans that start the American Football bashing while the football fans leave soccer alone?
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Not strictly true to be honest - read the very well thought out remarks by a 15-year-old on here - basically "everything sucks but US football, yahh.."

The facts are - Soccer is the ONLY world-wide sport there is. This is due to its simplistic way of playing, - all thats needed are a couple of jumpers and a ball. No need for ice, for bats, for 10 yard markers, for anything. The reason Soccer has not made it big in the US is because the NHL/NFL/NBA are terrified of what it will do to their sports. Before you say it won't happen, it will, if nobody deliberately derails it.

Soccer, when introduced to countries (and basketball has had a similar effect, but not to the same scale) and then funded, tends to wipe all other sports out completely.

I know for fact that these 3 organisations (NBA, NHL, NFL) are working as a group to keep soccer out of America because if it arrived there properly, it would take approximately 80% of their revenue (and this figure is based on previous occurances of soccer becoming a major sport in countries, such as West Indies - Cricket has been destroyed there now due to Soccer, Wales were the best Rugby nation on earth up until 1980 - Soccer was introduced then via initatives to get them playing it in schools instead of rugby etc and its here now, etc)

Thats why Soccer is the largest and most popular sport in the world, and believe me - once FIFA get on it and target the US to launch soccer, the other sports will have to work on something drastically to stop Soccer from taking a monster slice of revenue.
 
We have a professional soccer league... its not hurting the other big 3 yet...

I'm not bashing soccer, I'm replying to a comment bashing the apparent stereotype of steroid use in American Football, which is a generalization.
 
Any sport is all about grass roots and funding. Depends if anyone in America cares to take it on at a major level. With the base they can recruit from and the funds they can raise, I fully believe if the US wanted to it could be a global superpower in soccer. Screw Bush and Iraq, that make the world really moan.

Having said that, its not like the NBA and NHL stars covet themselves in glory at the Summer and Winter Olympics respectively. But then like the England football team, when you are still going to earn your £100k a week irrespective of your performance, why bother right?

Speaking of the States and minority sports, there has been some interesting developments in Rugby over there within the last month. Again, with the base they can recruit from and the funding they can raise I fully believe they could be a dominant power in that too, which personally I would love to see.
 
Fly said:
Speaking of the States and minority sports, there has been some interesting developments in Rugby over there within the last month. Again, with the base they can recruit from and the funding they can raise I fully believe they could be a dominant power in that too, which personally I would love to see.
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Yeah - they were recruiting in our leagues.

I know a few boys who are going over and I hope to one day join them (wage is going to be 8 times that of Magners Celtic League!)

Assuming you're talking of union of course - League is pretty much a non-entity here, aside of the Celtic Crusaders.
 
aevans410 said:
We have a professional soccer league... its not hurting the other big 3 yet...

I'm not bashing soccer, I'm replying to a comment bashing the apparent stereotype of steroid use in American Football, which is a generalization.
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Yeah the MLS - its a bit different to other leagues though due to the no-relegation issue, meaning most of the sides have nothing to fight for after half way through the season!
 
I seriously doubt that soccer would ever replace football to the extent that Chris believes.

My favorites-Highland Games, Strongman, boxing, MMA, football, golf, eating championships, collegiate wrestling
Could care less about-soccer, tennis, cycling
Hated sports-none

I think I love football and boxing so much because my grandfather and I used to watch it when I was very young and so I have those fond memories.

Markus, you seem to have this thing for steroids lately. Being in a huge football fan city (OU, OSU) and being in college and active with many of the athletes, the NCAA tests heavily and the number of those using AAS is very small compared to the number not using. But in the major leagues, they take serious offense to those using AAS. The penalties are very steep and if anyone even suspects, you get poped for a test. Sure, there are those who try and do what they want but most are not willing to sacrifice their six-or- more digit incomes.
 
First off, I can respect any sport and the talent that each one takes.

With that said :D , I can say that I personally played soccer for 10 years growing up and realize how cool it is. I don't prefer to watch it, but I think its a great sport, and really takes athleticism to be good.

I LOVE baseball, and whoever said its a love or hate thing is right on. I know others who love it, others who hate it. I love it so much that I can't get why anyone wouldn't like it. It's one of the most explosive sports, meaning, one simple pitch can completely change and decide a game. It's also cool to me since the principle of the game is never changed, when hitting, you always try to hit well, when on D, you always try to field and pitch well.

That brings me to football, which I also love, but I think falls a tad short of baseball. I respect the way the game is played, but it isn't as clear cut as baseball. On offense, you aren't always going for the points, rather running the clock, playing defense sort of. It's still awesome, but I'd have to say baseball is my favorite sport.

Guess I'm a sucker for American sports...

I like other sports too, but these are my faves, and frankly, they take up enough of my time as it is...:D
 
I'm not sure if I posted in this thread or not, but I'll give my views on sports

#1- American football- I play it, I love it, and its the reason why I am into fitness.

#2- Soccer- I hate watching it, but playing it with some friends is alot of fun

#3- Basketball- Don't really like it, except like the last 2 minutes which is really intense

#4- Hockey- Like the fights when there is one, but other then that I don't watch it

#5- Baseball- Really really boring, I can't stand it. Sorry baseball fans

I don't like watching any of the sports except football
I don't think there is any reason to bash a sport, all sports have there own unique strategies. I always see wars going on between Football vs Rugby or Football vs soccer, I hate those arguments :mad:
 
i played football basketball and baseball

first of all certain*
you have a point hockey keeps a constant flow and doesnt stop as much as other sports like football and baseball. but hockey isnt as personal as say... baseball or basketball is nor does the sport allow a casual fan to watch. it is hard for casual fans to pick up the strategy of hockey(if there is one...)
as an american citizen i believe football is the best sport, first of all if football was an olympic sport we would win gold every single time. unlike hockey(when we one it was considered a "MIRACLE". second, of all football attracts men and women both. the sports atmosphere with a lot of the outdoor stadiums is a lot better than the tiny arenas the nhl gives us. third, football has tradition. i understand that a hockey fan will argue about the original six teams but so what how far does that date back? moreover i believe the lost nhl season doesnt help recruit fans for the sport of hockey. finally football like college basketball, my second favorite sport, gives a one game finale. every year these sports basically create a game seven atmosphere which is much more exciting than watching a different team, with different players play a boring best of seven series. also i believe you mentioned baseball to be boring. not being the biggest baseball fan myself i have found that one must understand the game of baseball, and the strategy of the game. i believe a mlb manager has the hardest task of any coach in professional sports. with exception of the colts offensive coordinator. rarely do people go out and say a single sport is the best besides people that play hockey, it seems they feel they have to defend themselves. maybe because the stanley cup finals have the worst ratings of any sports championship. thats a fact
 
Ok, I'm going to be totally different here and say eventing (an equestrian sport) :) Umm, I know this isn't a team sport in the same way as football, soccer, etc., but let me point out why I think it's the best sport :)

1. It's english riding that incorporates dressage, show jumping and x-country (3 things that are hard to master on their own let alone all together!)

2. It's unique cause it's man and animal working together towards a common goal.

3. It's a ****load harder than it looks. The better you are the easier you make it look. Dressage in particular the person isn't supposed to show any movement while communicating to the horse, but in reality s/he is using every muscle in his/her body.

4. It takes a great deal of balance, endurance and overall fitness from BOTH horse and rider.

5. Not many people look at hockey or football and say "oh I can do that" but almost everyone I met who has never been on a horse (or only done very light riding) think they can ride. That is until I throw them on my horse and give them a lesson :) No one EVER walks away saying that was easy.

~Nicole
 
Why baseball IS the BEST sport...

Played baseball my whole life and soccer until I was 14. Only play football and basketball now with friends. I watch all 4 major american sports and follow the Braves, Cowboys, Warriors, and Sharks religiously. I have a very good understanding of baseball and football and a good idea about basketball and hockey. I don't think someone can give a respectible opinion on what the best sport is if they dont understand each sports' strategy and athleticness needed to play. Here is my order of the best sports...

Baseball- The HARDEST sport to play- there is Nothing harder to do in sports than to hit a baseball. Try hitting a 95 mph fastball with a round ball and a round bat squarely. Nevertheless maybe it is a curveball that moves 6 inches that is 10-20 mph slower or maybe it is a change up that runs away from you that is 15 mph slower.. Maybe its a slider, knuckleball, or splitter. You have less than a second to react to all these possibilities. Try fielding a ball hit 80 mph at you thats bouncing on the ground that could take a bad hop anytime or fielding a major league flyball (one of the hardest thigns to do in sports, trust me). The strategy is second to only football- what pitch should you pitch, who should you avoid, when to bunt, when to steal, when to pitch out, how to position a batter in the infield and outfield, how long do you leave in the pitcher, what pitcher should pitch to what batter, the list goes on forever. It takes a very special athlete and great hand eye coordination to be play baseball. Not to mention you have to be smart knowing what to do when. You can play and be good at all aspects of the game- hitting, defending and do it every day. If you dislike baseball its because you either suck at it or don't understand what's going on.

Football- Awesome sport that I can watch almost any two teams playing (same cant be said about my beloved baseball). The strategy is second to none. Takes too long in between plays? Are you kidding me? How stupid have we become to not be able to wait 15 seconds in between baseball pitches and 20 seconds in between football snaps. Very fun to play also.

Basketball- Can watch almost any two teams playing also. With scoring almost every posession how could it not be entertaining. Yes the players are selfish but they are still amazingly athletic and can do remarkable things. Probably the second most athletic sport. Fun to play and can even play with yourself.

Hockey-Like the other three sports I love hockey but I don't know how you can say its the best sport. Yah its fast moving but no straregy is involved and it looks so disorganized (guess thats why its a canadian sport ZING). But seriously its entertaining and takes some athletic ability but not that much.

Soccer is awesome but not enough scoring to be able to watch unless your rooting for a team. Has good strategy and fun to play

If you are going to argue this PLEASE have legitimate arguments or your stupidness and ignorance will just piss me off
 
If you think its hard to hit a 90mph ball from 60 feet, try hitting one at 110mph from 66 feet, which is legally allowed to be bowled at your head.

Cricket of course.

Boring as sin though.
 
rarely do people go out and say a single sport is the best besides people that play hockey, it seems they feel they have to defend themselves. maybe because the stanley cup finals have the worst ratings of any sports championship. thats a fact
one thing, being a huge hockey fan, that i dont like, is how other ppl assume things about the sport, insted of watching it for themselves. i HATED football, until i started watching it and understood what was happening. (mayb the reason i dislike basketball so much is because i have never taken the time to do that) in my opinion, if more ppl took some time to watch 2 good teams play hockey, they would have a better appreication of the sport. and as long as were making harsh generalizations, i think that ppl that play football are afraid to make their own opinions about sports that COOL ppl dont like. at risk of likeing something no one else does.... lol


If you dislike baseball its because you either suck at it or don't understand what's going on.

thats one of the few problems i have with your opening paragraph. I understand whats going on, and im not BAD at it, but it bores me, because its slow, and thats why i dislike it. no doubt those guys are amazingly talented. most difficult thing in sports to hit and field a baseball? i SERIOUSLY doubt that. i havent tried many different sports, but to me, golf is a very very difficult sport, long and striaght? plus all the different distances and angles and bunkers and rough and whatever else. also an equestrian sport does sound difficult, and i like the reasonings.
Question: if you werent playing baseball at a major league level, would it still be the hardest sport? what about a college or high school level? is it still the hardest sport?

personally, i think that stopping a flying peice of rubber moving near 90 mph from 20 ft away seems pretty difficult. but ive never played hockey goalie. but thats just my opinon, probably because i like hockey.

Takes too long in between plays? Are you kidding me? How stupid have we become to not be able to wait 15 seconds in between baseball pitches and 20 seconds in between football snaps.

I dont see what stupidity has to do with this, but 1st, i rarely see a pitch every 15 seconds (atlest in post season), and the opening point i was trying to make is that hockey is faster then baseball and football, and thats y I, (MY PERSONAL OPINON) think its more exciting to watch, and more fun to play then baseball and football. not only does the play not stop as much, but they are also phyically moving faster, because of the whole ice thing...
because of the high speed, it requires high speed desicions and sick nasty dangles (moves).

but no straregy is involved and it looks so disorganized (guess thats why its a canadian sport ZING).

first, i like the canadian joke! lol
but bullshiiiiiit. i dont understand how a person can think that hockey (or any sport in the world) doenst require stragey. hell, board games require strategy, so theres no way that it doesnt need strategy. some good defenses about that: then y do they need a coach? then y do they practice? (do u honestly think all they do is skate back and forth at practice). why is it so important to win a single faceoff. why pull a goalie. theres many things, some are little, that show that this sport requires more strategy then u made it seem.
disorganized? eh, thats pushin it, i can see how it would appear that way, but i think thats also because of the speed, and rapid changes in position.
power plays are good to watch cause it shows how organized a team could be.

Soccer is awesome but not enough scoring to be able to watch unless your rooting for a team. Has good strategy and fun to play
agreed.

hockey takes some athletic ability but not that much.
PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS, i dont understand how a person could say that, ur saything that football requires more athletic ability than hockey?
athlete=a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina (accoring to merrium webster)
ive alredy coved the agilty portion, streght should be a no brainer, its a very physical sport, and EVERYONE has to deal with the hits, and gay penalties (ha). stamina, pushing on a person while keeping urself balanced on ice in front of the net takes huge amounts of energy, and theres only 3 lines. oh, and they actully have to move back to defense, not just stand on a line with there 300 pound mostly fat bodies and push on some1.
(thats exaggarated and i kno that those offensive lineman are strong and whatever, im just trying to make a point)
basketball requires a lot of stamina and agility, but i dont see the strengh part at all, everyone in the NBA and basketball like falls to the ground crying after getting elbowed in the chest. same with world cup soccer. many ppl get hit hard into the boards in hockey and hop right up.

another thing,
in baseball and football, u always have like 1 or 2 ppl that the enitre game revolves around, and thats not realy the case in hockey. anyone can change the game at any time, and they all have to do similar tasks. i dont excalty kno how to say it, so this is the OVERLY simplified verison, but it seems like every1 has one job and only one job in football and baseball. quaterback throws, and no one else does, pitcher thorws and no one else does, YEAH excalty cause their the best at it, well veryone in hcokey can do whatever in hockey (xcept goalie) like if the quaterback had to block throw run and catch the ball for himslef that would be a game. or if anyone on the team could throw to anyone, you didnt just have like 4 wide recivers and a tightend. and if the first basemen could walk over to the mound throw a pitch to a lefty, and then go back to palying first base. like if there wasnt so much a set job for everyone i think it would be more intresting. i kno there will be a lot of arguement a gainst that, but its hard to type out what ime thinging.

thanks for reading sorry bout typos
 
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