European sports in America..

[Slytovhand]

I've followed the soccer since I was a wee kid, and supported Spurs in the EPL (English Premier League) for not much less. (though, the way they started out this year, I was thinking I'd need to change that worst start to a season since 1912...but, finally, we've started to kick butt... Chelsea )

Cricket bores me a bit too, though I don't mind a bit of the short version... and I don't mind teh 20/20 either (that's 20 overs only per team... basically a slog-fest).

Grid-iron... I'm lost... the only 'skill' I see being used is from the dude who throws the ball. At least in soccer, you've got to be very skilled to get anywhere - as well as very fit (ie... it's a 90 minute game - you're usually running for 90 minutes. None of this break every 2 minutes and change your entire team over...).

Now, I don't support AFL (Aussie Rules), but I'll give it to them... they do have to be fit.. and have some sort of skills... and tough. (for those who don't know what I'm talking about, much larger field than gridiron, NO padding or helmets! The only part of the body you can't hit is the head... while ppl are looking all that, in 4 quarters of 30 mins each...lots of points (depending on the game) lots of biffo. Oh, and you can climb up on the back of your opponent (or team mate for that matter) to catch the ball! Sort of like a more violent version of Rugby - but you score more points for kicking it through the goal (and no touchdowns...).

Oh, there's a new invention for us and the Irish... a combination of Aussie Rules and Gaelic Football... that's even more violent! There's an annual competition between us.


I like hockey (field), but I don't like the ice stuff... at least, not the way I've seen it played in America... it only seems to be about how you can take out your oppenent. Field hockey takes some nice skill...

But, speaking of skill... I think the one sport I adore watching (it could only be a dream or my next lifetime in the right body) is gymnastics! That stuff just amazes me!! Especially rings!

[Greenday]

Grid-iron... I'm lost... the only 'skill' I see being used is from the dude who throws the ball. At least in soccer, you've got to be very skilled to get anywhere - as well as very fit (ie... it's a 90 minute game - you're usually running for 90 minutes. None of this break every 2 minutes and change your entire team over...).

You've never competitively played football, have you? Name any position and I'll list the skills being used to play that position. Even and including kickers and punters.

Agreed. I think the constant stoppages are...pretty damn annoying. Especially in the final 5 minutes of the game. Why is it that those final 5 minutes are the *longest* part?

Because that's when timeouts become even more vital, thus they are usually saved for that specific time period. If you need to stop the clocked and the ballcarrier didn't get out of bounds, a timeout is your only option.

[Slytovhand]

You've never competitively played football, have you?

Yes, for many years when I was a youngster.


Oh... you mean American football....

BTW - anyone here seen that Asian version of volleyball - where they can't use the hands??

[AdminAssistant]

I think of American football as a 'roided up version of chess. It's just too darn slow for me to really care (baseball too....sooooo sloooooow).

I think I could get into soccer, I would probably enjoy it. There's enough action to keep me interested.

[Cat]

I do enjoy watching baseball (on TV....too expensive to actually go to a game {rip, Yankee Stadium}) esp if I am with friends in bar

Soccer, I played when I was a kid, and I can't get into watching it...though I do have friends who follow it (Big New England supporters....not sure who they like overseas)

Hate football....it is the constant stopping (and the Super Bowl Ads were lame this year) Plus, I just don't bloody get it at all.

NASCAR...ugh! My bf watches, I tried to get into it...sorry....its dull

Poker is not a sport, but can be fun to watch on TV...its more watching the players tried to bluff and use mind games...I have been known to get into it.

My favorite sport to watch..Equestrian....esp show jumping....I used to ride, and when I watch I tend to click at the horse and yell at the rider to change their stride (usually just while watching TV )

[protege]

I never got into Nascar either. I mean, 500 times in a freaking circle? Are you kidding me? I don't even think those fools could handle making a turn in the opposite direction

Seriously though, give me vintage sports car racing, F1, etc. Something where the cars take some *real* skill (not to mention a set of brass balls!) to handle--the 1930s "silver arrows from Mercedes, the Auto Unions, "Blower" Bentleys, Millers, Bugattis, etc. That's why guys like Sir Stirling Moss are still highly regarded...even though he no longer races, except in "historics" or exhibitions.

That's why I like the Pittsburgh Vintage GP so much. Well, that and it's free But, since I'm a local, I can usually get away with a quick blast through the course (public streets, BTW) the night before the race. All stop signs are removed, and there usually aren't any cops about. Meaning, you can slide around corners...much like the Alfas, MGs, Jags, and other cars will be doing the next morning. Great fun in a 'boring' Toyota

One form of racing I'd probably enjoy, is rallying. However, you don't see that on in the US much. The only events that are covered, usually don't see much newsprint. Too bad, since those guys are insane!