Yes..I wrote yesterday that sports revolves around my life. So today I answer the question what is a sport? Many people will say, "Well, if it's on sports TV (Fox, ESPN, whatever), then I guess it's a sport." Still others go with, "It's a competition that I like. Therefore it is a sport." I have to disagree on both points. While this seems ultimately to be an issue of opinion, we still need to determine a basic, more narrow definition of "sport" before we go around calling every competition we enjoy a "sport". Frankly, I'm sick to death of seeing Scrabble tournaments, spelling bees, dog shows, and first and foremost - poker on my sports TV. These are not sports. At best, they are highly skilled games, competitions, or hobbies.
To make that assertion, we (meaning me, it's my damn blog for crying out loud) have to define what a "sport" is. I think we all understand that everybody has their own definition, which can cause controversy on occasion. So, I'll take a shot at it with my own definition: A sport is any physical, athletic competition, where one participant's ability to perform is physically and directly affected by an opposing participant in real-time. If your activity doesn't fit those criteria, well my friend... you got yourself a hobby.
I think we can all agree that poker, cheerleading championships, and the rock-paper-scissors finals aren't sports. We can probably also agree that games like hockey, soccer, tennis and NASCAR still do qualify as sports. At least I'm hoping my NASCAR blog kinda swayed you my way? I'm personally not a big fan of tennis or soccer but I do have to admit they are sports. Don't get me wrong, most of those guys could run me down & beat me senseless, then make me play their sport, and beat me senseless at that (wait, not a soccer player... I think I could take a soccer player). But anyway, here's a list of a few of those highly skilled non-sports for you to evaluate:
1) Golf -- Again, don't get me wrong; I like golf. Granted, it is the most perfect nap material in the history of broadcasting, and is the worst spectator "sport" on television. But I do respect those who play it well (my slice is a main reason there), and I have great respect for the history of the game as well as the skill and dedication it takes to become even a decent player. But the fact is, it's not a sport. What Tiger shoots in a given round has virtually nothing to do with what Phil shoots. The mental aspects are there, sure. A good player has to have a drive to win and be able to withstand incredible amounts of pressure. But if you think those are adequate criteria to make it a "sport", then life itself is a "sport" too! No, golf is a solo game. If players were allowed to, say, box other players out of the green, or lay a shoulder check on a guy shooting out of the rough, or even holler during shots, then maybe it would qualify as a sport. But, alas, Tiger shoots what Tiger shoots, and what John Daly is doing two holes back (even if it's gobbling down hot dogs and pounding PBR's) has absolutely no bearing. I'll venture to say that if you can slam beers and dogs while doing "it", then "it" is not a sport.
2) Bowling -- see "golf"
3) Track and Field -- These are some of the most amazing athletes in the world. They can run faster and jump higher than most of us could ever dream of. They can throw pointy things and heavy things really far. They train relentlessly their entire lives for a 5-10 second shot at perfection and glory. The difference between a track foot race and a NASCAR race or a horse race is real simple, but important: track has lanes. In most track events, you must stay in your lane and not interfere with other runners. Besides mental competitiveness, a given runner's time is not affected by another runner's time. Thus, not a sport.
4) Virtually all Olympic games - OK, Tonya Harding maybe fudged on this one a bit. But usually, Olympic ice dancers aren't allowed to break the kneecaps of other ice dancers. Downhill skiers aren't allowed to reach out and poke their opponents eyeballs with their bendy poles. Cross-country skiers aren't allowed to use ACME paint to draw fake paths on the sides of giant boulders, and make their opponents crash into them. Archery shooters can't....wait...Archery? Seriously?
5) Hunting and fishing -This one is a no-brainer for me. It is directly man vs. beast. But unless said beast is directly trying to avoid or run away from you - not just standing there munching berries, or swimming around a pond, it's not direct competition, and therefore not a sport. The beast should actually be aware that he/she is "involved" for this to come close to being a sport. Hunting and fishing championships could be considered sports, I suppose, if hunters were allowed to set bear traps for other hunters, or fishermen could throw dead fish at their competition. Hmmm, now that I think of it, I think I might pick up hunting and fishing.
So there you have it. These are highly skilled hobbies, not sports. Feel free to give me your concurrence or arguments to the contrary.
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