What qualifies a SPORT to skill and/or Hobby

[ilovejerry]

Tennis is definitely a sport, so is softball in my opinion, especially fast pitch.

No way is race car driving a sport, yes its difficult and yes they have good endurance but its definitely more mentally tough then physically in my opinion.

Disagree about Tennis, but Fast pitch Softball, Has me thinking. My cousin played in a Pro league and I remember watching him it was very intense competition. I would have to agree I think fast pitch softball is a Sport, as it can be considered recreational. Look what makes something a sport and a hobby. Lets think about this. Is it ,If there is a league or a commission? NO cause any group of people can create a entity. I don't know I think it goes deeper then that what validates it or not. I guess its all subjective and personal preference. I don't know why golf guys or tennis guys race car guys get so upset if someone says its not a sport. I'm from an older generation and maybe its just my view, Its all labels I think they ( tennis,golf,RC guys) feel insecure if people don't validate them as a sport. Why should you guys care, If guys like me don't think its a sport, doesn't make it any less important or respectable to you.You know what I mean. But I still say if chicks can do it..Its not a Sport ( put that in your pipe and smoke it.)
C

 

[ilovejerry]

To me racing is not a sport or should I say they are not athletes.

The only racing I see as a sport is when you are the actual power propelling yourself. You are running, swimming or riding a bicycle (not motorcycle).

Sitting in a car, whether you are going 200 mph with a bunch of people around you or not, sitting on the back of a horse, sitting on a motorcycle and so on.

Not a sport or more to the point not a sport done by athletes.

In those areas the car is the one doing all the work, the horse is doing the work, the motorcyle is doing the work. Sure the rider or driver may be mentally exhausted. But so what, I can get mentally exhausted reading some threads on this forum...does not make me an athlete.

Heck IMO bowling is more athletic, at least in that sport you are actually propelling the ball yourself instead of an object like a Horse or engined vehicle propelling you.

In golf at least you are propelling the ball yourself.

So I get in a car, sweat my butt off, drive fast with people all around me. Wooo call the press I did that multiple times while driving a bulky hummer ambulance in the middle of an 8 lane section of Seoul Korea. Where you could literally (and I did it once) stick your hand out the window without fully extending your arm and touch buses and trucks as they zipped by you or you zipped by them. Where you got a guy in the back that tried to OD and now is throwing up everywhere. Got to the destination, jumped out, smoked a cigarette and was shaking like a leaf...but it did not make me an athlete.

That's a very good point.

 

[ilovejerry]

No you will not mister. You are wrong and I am right and if I do not see you admit you are wrong in the next post you will be banned.

Love...
Art

: :laugh2:

 

[ilovejerry]

I played football, soccer, baseball, wrestled, golf, and tennis in high school...and excelled at all of them (unfortunately, I always seemed to be the second best in each). However, I'm also an avid skateboarder, surfer, snowboarder, and MXer...and there is no way that any of those are "less of a sport" to me. I've never tried harder at anything in my life than to become a good skateboarder, and I just can't. Whether its because I'm 6'1" 205 or because I'm a big *****, I don't know...but I do know I have as much respect for the guys who have become the best at skateboarding as I do for the likes of Randy White. It's just as physically and mentally taxing as any team sport, and they've reached a pinnacle that few people will ever achieve, regardless of thier chosen endeavor.


I'm not saying I don't have respect for those guys. Trust me I played Competitive football and baseball, However I was an excellent skateboarder but as you know when you get bigger its very difficult, There is no way I could do a quarter of the moves and stuff I did when I was 13-18. Snow boarding is not as bad once you get bigger but still I think the smaller and more compact you are the better it is. I just don't see them as Sports. Don't get me wrong, Surfers are out of there mind. first to go big wave riding is not only on the verge of insanity you have to go out and take chances of not getting attacked by Sharks. Not for me thanks but I admire those guys.

 

[ZeroClub]

The only racing I see as a sport is when you are the actual power propelling yourself. You are running, swimming or riding a bicycle (not motorcycle).

This is an interesting criteria, but it has exceptions too.

Clearly downhill skiing is a sport. Bobsledding is an Olympic sport. Luge too.

I'd say that motorcycle racing is more of a sport than auto racing because motorcycle racing is more of a whole body sport (e.g., countersteering and correct body lean required in turns, etc.). It requires significant body control, similar to bobsledding and luge.

--

Fighter pilots aren't considered athletes and yet there is a good bit of overlap among the skills demanded of fighter pilots and NASCAR drivers. Fighter pilots have to account for more variables....

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

This is an interesting criteria, but it has exceptions too.

Clearly downhill skiing is a sport. Bobsledding is an Olympic sport. Luge too.

I'd say that motorcycle racing is more of a sport than auto racing because motorcycle racing is more of a whole body sport (e.g., countersteering and correct body lean required in turns, etc.). It requires significant body control, similar to bobsledding and luge.

--

Fighter pilots aren't considered athletes and yet there is a good bit of overlap among the skills demanded of fighter pilots and NASCAR drivers. Fighter pilots have to account for more variables....

Each of those (sking, bobsled, luge) are not powered by an engine but weight (of the individuals as well) and gravity. Also normally those start off with the athlete propelling themselves.

 

[jman]

Simple definition...

If you can do it while eat nacho's and drinking beer...not a sport.

If there is no score kept or is judged by a panel...not a sport.

 

[Doomsday]

Simple definition...

If you can do it while eat nacho's and drinking beer...not a sport.

If there is no score kept or is judged by a panel...not a sport.

Where does that leave boxing?

 

[tomson75]

Where does that leave boxing?

As an organized profession? It's about as dead as hockey.

...but your right, it's a sport for sure. One of the oldest sports know to man IIRC.

 

[ZeroClub]

Each of those (sking, bobsled, luge) are not powered by an engine but weight (of the individuals as well) and gravity. Also normally those start off with the athlete propelling themselves.

Sure.

But you referenced "self-propelled" earlier, didn't you?

"Propelled by gravity" isn't "self-propelled."

I can see the merit and/or justification for the "self-propelled" criteria for racing sports. But that criteria does leave out some other sports.

Why "gravity-propelled" would be considered o.k. while "engine-propelled" wouldn't.

Hypothetically - You can race a bobsled down a hill using gravity or race a bobsled across a flat ice surface using a small engine. Is there really enough of a difference between the two to call one a sport and the other a nonsport?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Sure.

But you referenced "self-propelled" earlier, didn't you?

"Propelled by gravity" isn't "self-propelled."

I can see the merit and/or justification for the "self-propelled" criteria for racing sports. But that criteria does leave out some other sports.

Why "gravity-propelled" would be considered o.k. while "engine-propelled" wouldn't.

Hypothetically - You can race a bobsled down a hill using gravity or race a bobsled across a flat ice surface using a small engine. Is there really enough of a difference between the two to call one a sport and the other a nonsport?

Because initially it IS self propelled. Although we could argue about it till we both turn blue in the face.

There are no mechanical engines in place to do the work.

I would say of the three Skiing is the legit one where the other two (bob or luge) are questionable.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Where does that leave boxing?

Boxing has both scoring and a panel.

If one boxer does not knock another boxer out than there is a scoring system used by a panel of judges.

Guess it is a catch 22, as there are many sports that have scoring and a judge/panel.

Gymnastics as well...very conditioned athletes.

 

[jcollins28]

First off fat NASCAR drivers are the "first baseman" of race car drivers. F1 drivers and CHAMP CAR drivers are just as fit as any athlete that you will find. The strength that it takes to man handle a 850 hp CHAMP CAR around a road course with no power steering no traction control with very low down force is something I would love to see you 9-5 freeway fanatics take a stab at. Real race car drivers are every bit the athlete and sportsman that stick and ball guys are.

 

[ZeroClub]

I hope that we can all agree that competitive eating is not a sport.

 

[tomson75]

I hope that we can all agree that competitive eating is not a sport.

...and poker.

yet another reason to hate ESPN.

 

[peplaw06]

I hope that we can all agree that competitive eating is not a sport.

Kobayashi is in great shape... and he's competing against other people at the same time, and scores are kept for number of hot dogs eaten. I SAY SPORT!!

 

[Yeagermeister]

First off fat NASCAR drivers are the "first baseman" of race car drivers. F1 drivers and CHAMP CAR drivers are just as fit as any athlete that you will find. The strength that it takes to man handle a 850 hp CHAMP CAR around a road course with no power steering no traction control with very low down force is something I would love to see you 9-5 freeway fanatics take a stab at. Real race car drivers are every bit the athlete and sportsman that stick and ball guys are.

Well except that NASCAR drivers are the first baseman for racing. There are very few drivers now that are just big lugs. Most are slim and in shape. Even the "big" guys are in good shape.

Anyone who thinks driving race cars is the same as driving their personal car is crazy. First off let's put you in a hot arse fire suit with a helmet and strap you in until you can barely breathe. Then drive for 4 hrs without AC when the track temp is well above 100 degree plus the heat off the car. Then try to drive at 190 mph on slick tires with someone else inches off your bumper where the slightest nudge will send you spinning in to a concete wall. If you have never tried it don't knock it. It may look easy watching it on tv but there is a hell of a lot more too it than stepping on the gas and turning.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I hope that we can all agree that competitive eating is not a sport.

It's a freak show *Dale Gribble voice*

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Well except that NASCAR drivers are the first baseman for racing. There are very few drivers now that are just big lugs. Most are slim and in shape. Even the "big" guys are in good shape.

Anyone who thinks driving race cars is the same as driving their personal car is crazy. First off let's put you in a hot arse fire suit with a helmet and strap you in until you can barely breathe. Then drive for 4 hrs without AC when the track temp is well above 100 degree plus the heat off the car. Then try to drive at 190 mph on slick tires with someone else inches off your bumper where the slightest nudge will send you spinning in to a concete wall. If you have never tried it don't knock it. It may look easy watching it on tv but there is a hell of a lot more too it than stepping on the gas and turning.

How about getting into 113 armored troop carrier. In the middle of summer, with the floor coated in oil. With diesel fumes floating in the air, going up and down mountain sides where you see a huge drop off on a skinny one lane road and a deuce and half in front of you and a M-60 behind you. Where if the guy in front of you breaks too hard you will probably fly out of your seat and off the top of the vehicle (which happened once to a guy and he broke his ribs, shoulder and hip on his right side).

Or if you hit a bump the wrong way and your seat slides down about 4 feet and you about break your tail bone.

Or you are in full military gear with a helmet but don't have the luxury of a fire suit to protect you so you boot soles are full of oil and any spark could roast you.

Or if a person behind you does not stop in time and hits you.

Now I bet there are just not that many people out there that drive a tank, 113, bradley or any other military armored vehicle...

Not an athlete....soldier yes, but athlete because you drive one...no.

Nascar can be a sport, but that don't make the guys athletes...competitors ok...athletes no.


Let me add in Helicopter and Jet pilots. They are in a larger, heavier machine, they go faster and they can be in situations where they are trying to kill someone or be killed. They have just as much, probably more, eye hand ordination going at once, they have more to think about. Yet I don't know too many that would consider them athletes.

 

[Yeagermeister]

How about getting into 113 armored troop carrier. In the middle of summer, with the floor coated in oil. With diesel fumes floating in the air, going up and down mountain sides where you see a huge drop off on a skinny one lane road and a deuce and half in front of you and a M-60 behind you. Where if the guy in front of you breaks too hard you will probably fly out of your seat and off the top of the vehicle (which happened once to a guy and he broke his ribs, shoulder and hip on his right side).

Or if you hit a bump the wrong way and your seat slides down about 4 feet and you about break your tail bone.

Or you are in full military gear with a helmet but don't have the luxury of a fire suit to protect you so you boot soles are full of oil and any spark could roast you.

Or if a person behind you does not stop in time and hits you.

Now I bet there are just not that many people out there that drive a tank, 113, bradley or any other military armored vehicle...

Not an athlete....soldier yes, but athlete because you drive one...no.

Nascar can be a sport, but that don't make the guys athletes...competitors ok...athletes no.


Let me add in Helicopter and Jet pilots. They are in a larger, heavier machine, they go faster and they can be in situations where they are trying to kill someone or be killed. They have just as much, probably more, eye hand ordination going at once, they have more to think about. Yet I don't know too many that would consider them athletes.

That I agree with 1000000000%

As for the other stuff thanks for the bad memories.....jerk