What do you think are the saddest excuses for a sport?

[Yo La Tengo]

I thought this might be an interesting thread. Here are my top three:


3. Skateboarding - I tried it a couple times. Gay as hell. :o

2. Paintball - Enough said.

1. Hunting/Fishing (as a sport) - There's nothing quite like killing innocent things for fun. And I'm sorry, but having a moose head on a wall is perhaps the worst idea for a decoration. Ever.


So whatcha think? Want to add anything?

[Minor Irritant]

Curling. When the world champions are overweight, middle-aged guys, it's not a sport. People have enough reasons to make fun of Canada, anyway.

[Big Kahuna Burger]

Amen to curling. It's not a sport if you can chug a beer during it.

[cercaria]

Cheerleading. Yes, I am sure it's hard and all, but it's kind of hard to have any sort of athletic respect for people with ear-to-ear grins in tiny skirts or skintight spandex yelling "Ready! Oh-KAY!" and throwing each other in the air. At least figure skaters look like they're thinking part of the time, and they never yell at me to show my "Random Mascot Pride!!!"

[stankow]

I have a simple definition for "sport": Must include physical activity necessary to the sport (chess, no; curling, yes); must have the other competitors directly trying to keep you from scoring/finishing/whatever (golf, no; basketball, yes); must have objective standards (figure skating, no; football, yes).

No physical activity or opposition? It's a game. It may be a competitive game, but it's a game.

No objective standards? It's an exhibition. Perhaps one where there are prizes, but there are prizes for best pie at the county fair, too.

Curling doesn't have opposition, does it? 'Cause if it does, that's my pick for lamest quote-sport-endquote. Otherwise, it's basketball. Only sport where you can tell the level of competition based on the score.

[Dagny]

Bowling. For the same reasons curling is a lame sport.

Broom ball. Lets see, you go to an ice rink with push brooms and a four square ball and attempt to play something based roughly on hockey. You don't even wear skates.

[shrew]

American football. I'd rather watch apple cores turn brown.

Yes, yes, I know I'm unAmerican.

[occ]

Originally posted by Yo La Tengo
So whatcha think? Want to add anything?

Sure.

http://www.theonion.com/onion3813/record-store_clerks.html

:p

[woolly]

My vote goes to underwater hockey. One of the worlds great spectator sports as well.

Wasn't there about Frisbee throwing pushing for international recognition as a sport?

[Mr. Blue Sky]

1. Golf
2. Golf
3. Oh yeah, golf.

[Hari Seldon]

I distinguish between sport and athletic endeavor. Ice skating is highly athletic, but not a sport (unless bribery is). No one would say ballet dancing is a sport, but the physical skills and activity levels are similar. Same with diving and my least favorite "sport", synchronized smiling, I mean swimming. All this leads up to defend curling, which is my absolute favorite TV sport. It is not highly athletic, but is infinitely more interesting than bowling that someone compared it to. When you bowl your first shot is exactly like every other first shot and your second is likely to be among maybe a half dozen common spare shots (unless you are a duffer and have missed the head pin). In curling, every situation is one of a kind, just like in most sports. It is highly skilled and also requires strong strategy. Once upon a time, it was equal parts shooting and beer drinking, but not any more, not at the highest level. And it is claimed that sweepers burn more calories than basketball players.

I used to watch hockey a lot, but the ratio of time spent playing to time spent fighting got too high and I lost interest. Disgusting.

Then there are the trash sports, like tractor pulls and mud wrestling. Oh yes, auto racing a more socially useless waste is hard to imagine.

[DPWhite]

Bowling. I'd add curling, but nobody does it here in California.

[Vinnie Virginslayer]

ballroom dancing

synchronized swimming

arm wrestling

bull riding

auto racing

[Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor]

Curling

Knocking stones around with a broom isn't a sport--it's janitorial work! :D

[ianzin]

I do so wish they'd get rid of any so-called sport that involves judges or judging giving scores. Or, modify these sports to eliminate the need for judges or judging. (Judging as in 'making sure the rules are observed' is OK).

Bunch of guys line up and race. First to reach the finishing line is the winner. That's a sport.

Gymnastics - someone does a mat routine and then somebody else does, and it's all down to what the 'judges' think. That's not a sport. That's an opinion poll. Get rid of judging. If, from the same launch, A can do two somersaults and B can do three, B wins 'cos he can do something harder.

To see the absurdity of 'judging', think about this. Suppose you had a race and A crossed the line faster than B. Suppose the 'judges' then declared B the winner because they thought they liked his running style better (or whatever reason). You'd think this was nonsense, wouldn't you? Well, in the absence of any other evidence, how do you know they are not making precisely this kind of nonsense decision all the time in ice-dancing, gymnastics and other 'judged' sports? Answer: you don't, and can't know.

[Northern Piper]

Originally posted by stankow
<snip>
Curling doesn't have opposition, does it? 'Cause if it does, that's my pick for lamest quote-sport-endquote.

Sure it does, in two different stages. First, when Team A is shooting, the skip of Team B is in the house and can sweep rocks out of the back of the house.

Second, the teams alternate in taking the shots, and one of the prime goals is to knock the opponents' rocks out of play with your own shots. That counts as opposition to my mind.

I'd also concur with Hari Selden - sure, if you go to the local rink you'll see some unathletic looking players - but is that any different from the local softball leagues? But when you get to the competitive levels, fitness counts - if you watched the recent World Cups, or the curling at the Olympics, you wouldn't have seen any over-weight or out-of-shape players. These guys play long seasons and train hard.

Also, have any of the posters who are slamming curling ever actually curled? Trust me, three hours of running on the ice, keeping your balance, and sweeping the bejazus for a demanding skip is not a pristine activity - its sweaty, it keeps you puffing much like any other sport, and is very much an acquired skill where training is necessary. And that's just the sweeping. Throwing the rocks requires aim, balance and a good appreciation of the ice.

And finally, so what's wrong with a sport where you can chug a beer in play? :cool:

[jmpride62]

badminton, croquet, and any sport where humans ride on animals who get food and water for running their asses off while their passengers get prize money

[Treviathan]

For those activities which require opposition, are scored objectively, and require a modicum of physical fitness, snooker/billiards always has seemed kind of silly to me . As a recreational thing you do at the pub when you're half-soused and can't walk straight, well, it's got its benefits. But professionals make, what, 97% of their shots? The competition seems somewhat muted at that level. It's sort of like professional tic-tac-toe, in that respect.

And t-ball. The players are all a bunch of whiny, out-of-shape children anyways. ;)

[capacitor]

Curling rules. You want to get beaned by a 42lb stone? I don't think so.

American football is in a way wimpy. Mechanized armor is not as protected as these guys, and they still have the 'in the grasp rule. Also, what are fumbles in real life, and are in real sports like rugby and Australian rules, are not fumbles in American rules. The Oakland Raiders got screwed in the playoffs just passed. Also, there are more referees and officials in the field than in any other sport except race-walking, yet they still miss calls, or worse yet, grant teams fifth downs. Inexcusable.

[stankow]

Originally posted by Northern Piper
Also, have any of the posters who are slamming curling ever actually curled? Trust me, three hours of running on the ice, keeping your balance, and sweeping the bejazus for a demanding skip is not a pristine activity - its sweaty, it keeps you puffing much like any other sport, and is very much an acquired skill where training is necessary. And that's just the sweeping. Throwing the rocks requires aim, balance and a good appreciation of the ice.

Yes, I'm sure it takes athletic ability and skill and all that, but it still comes off as pretty lame to me. Then, so does the slam-dunk-fest that passes for professional basketball these days, and I'd rather watch rugby than American football, and Matt Damon says soccer is even more physically draining than genocide, but it bores the piss out of me. In my ideal world, wrestling (freestyle or greco-roman) and fencing would be the sports that guys discuss around the water cooler.

[Fern Forest]

Originally posted by capacitor
...American football is in a way wimpy. Mechanized armor is not as protected as these guys, and they still have the 'in the grasp rule....

We got this Australian guy who punts for the football team at the University here. He used to play Aussie Rules Football back home and thought like you did. But then he played the game and he is very glad that 1) he has the equipment on cause "(they) hit hard" and 2) he's just a punter and not some receiver laying himself out knowing he's gonna get slammed.

Of course all sports, ALL SPORTS, are wimpy when compared with Shirling. Leave it to the Scots to invent that. *shudder*

And I agree with the other posters that a sport should have 1) an active competition, 2) objective and well defined goals and 3) require the use of your muscles.

And having watched some of those curling matches in the Olympics I can safely say that there is no way I could get my body to bend in the way some of those players did when tossing those stones.

But the only sports I can regularly watch are baseball and American football.

[Urban Ranger]

On American Football, a friend once commented, "They designed a sport where people can hurt each other intentionally, then they have to add in armour. What wimps!"

Golf is not a sport. It is a good walk spoiled (I think Shaw said that).

[FloChi]

I am going to have to go with some of the fringe sports. Like Lawn Mower racing. I saw that on tv in Canada and pissed myself laughing. That is a ridiculous sport and very sad.

Or possibly the chainsaw competitions at the local show. Axe mastery is hard, and requires lots of effort, with a chainsaw all you need to do is use it. They look like men who can't use an axe.

Also hunting/fishing is not sport, for the very simple reason that the other side doesn't want to play. I have no problem with hunting and fishing for food, but trying to claim it as a sport is just wrong.

[RaCha'ar]

Urban Ranger, it was Twain who said "Golf is a good walk spoiled."

I'm so pissed someone beat me to that quote. It's the whole reason I came into this thread. Oh well. Good taste, Urban. :D

[amarinth]

Originally posted by Northern Piper

Also, have any of the posters who are slamming curling ever actually curled? Trust me, three hours of running on the ice, keeping your balance, and sweeping the bejazus for a demanding skip is not a pristine activity - its sweaty, it keeps you puffing much like any other sport, and is very much an acquired skill where training is necessary. And that's just the sweeping. Throwing the rocks requires aim, balance and a good appreciation of the ice.I'm currently walking around with a huge bruise right below my knee from slamming into the ice several times last wednesday (tiny errors in judgment while sweeping), and yes, curling is dorky.
Fun, but dorky.
Nowhere near as lame as golf, though.

[breaknrun]

bullfighting, dog fighting, cock fighting...see a trend?
I don't get upset over much anything people want to do as long as they leave the animals out of it.
People, at least, make their own choices to put themselves in danger.

[lurkernomore]

Auto racing.

Like the line about NASCAR being an acronym for


Non

Athletic

Sport

Centered

Around

Rednecks

Hey, the car does the work. The skill involved is considerable, but that doesn't make it a sport.

[Tygr]

Jai-Alai

Otherwise I pretty much* agree with George Carlin's opinions. (http://www.boredatuni.co.uk/stuff/carlin.html)



*Meaning, "except for his use of slurs."

[Legomancer]

Professional Bowling. Bowling is fun, sure. But pro bowling? Come on...

- You're indorrs, so there's no weather to compensate for.

- You and the target are always put in the same place, so there's no motion to compensate for.

- No one or thing is trying to prevent you from hitting the target.

- You bring your own equipment, so you don't worry about that.

So it's essentially watching people take the exact same show over and over. No wonder it's always strikes and spares.

[rjung]

That new Olympic spectator "sport"...

Bridge.

[racinchikki]

Originally posted by lurkernomore
Auto racing.

Like the line about NASCAR being an acronym for


Non

Athletic

Sport

Centered

Around

Rednecks

Hey, the car does the work. The skill involved is considerable, but that doesn't make it a sport.
Feel free to try it yourself.

[bup]

Originally posted by Osiris


...Of course all sports, ALL SPORTS, are wimpy when compared with Shirling. Leave it to the Scots to invent that...

New snake! (http://www.geocities.com/proudfans/markchars.html)

The sport whose mere existence angers me is ice dancing.

[blanx]

Just because it's hard, does not mean it's a sport.

I second the above votes for anything judged- a popularity contest, not a sport. I'm not knocking the effort, talent, etc. required to be a figure skater, or a rhythmic gymnast, but neither is a sport.

Also, NASCAR, CART, Formula 1, are all not sports- hard, and I can't do them, and give credit to those who can, but not sports.

I have serious doubts about baseball, also...

[RTFirefly]

Originally posted by ianzin
I do so wish they'd get rid of any so-called sport that involves judges or judging giving scores. Or, modify these sports to eliminate the need for judges or judging. (Judging as in 'making sure the rules are observed' is OK).While I agree with your sentiments, ianzin, I'd have to toss in another variable into the equation, and that's the difference between competitive and noncompetitive sports.

Is rock-climbing a sport? Sure it is, even though it's just you against the rock. But it's not a competitive sport. Similarly, gymnastics, which you mention, isn't naturally a competitive sport, and judges don't fix that. But it is a sport in the same manner that rock-climbing is.

I'd also aver that "I'd like to see you do it" has little if any place in debating what is, and what isn't, a sport. Golf is a lame sport not because it isn't a tough game, or because it doesn't involve the use of physical skill and prowess - it is, and it does, and I can't golf worth shit. But the reality is that golf is deadly boring, unless the bug has bitten you. Besides, there's just something wrong about a sport where they shush the spectators.

[white-tigeress]

Anything that involves the use of a ball. Men seem to love to kick them around.

[lurkernomore]

Originally posted by racinchikki

Feel free to try it yourself.

I conceded skill even in the passage quoted. I can't go out and win a Tony on Broadway. Does that making acting a sport?

[racinchikki]

What is auto racing if it isn't a sport? Genuinely curious. It meets stankow's standards: Must include physical activity necessary to the sport (chess, no; curling, yes); must have the other competitors directly trying to keep you from scoring/finishing/whatever (golf, no; basketball, yes); must have objective standards (figure skating, no; football, yes).
Physical activity? Yes. The car does not "do all the work," (although it certainly helps to have the best equipment money can buy thanks to your rich multiple-car-owning team owner). If the car "did all the work" then Jerry Nadeau would've been winning as much as Jeff Gordon when he drove for Rick Hendrick's team.
Opposition? Yes. There are 42 other people on the track in a NASCAR race all directly opposed to the idea of you winning.
Objective standards? Yes. The scoring procedure gets a little widgey when you try to figure out how the points are allocated but the standards are objective. You cross the finish line first and you car's pieces all fit the rules? You win.

So seriously, what is it if it isn't a sport?

[racinchikki]

I'd also like to note that my "I'd like to see you do it" comment was not in response to whether or not NASCAR is a sport, which has nothing at all to do with whether any one person in particular is capable of doing it, but rather in response to the assertion that the car does all the work.

[blanx]

racinchikki- I'm not entirely sure what auto racing is. It's like horse racing- one's ability to win/succeed/etc. is based largely upon the performance of the equipment. (horse or car)

For instance, if you are a fantastic jockey, and are riding a broken-down horse, then more likely than not you will not win. Certainly, your skill as a jockey comes into play, but in large part, it's about the horse.

Isn't the same the case in auto racing? If you are a fantastic driver, with the reflexes of a cat on crystal meth, but you don't have the financial backing to have the top car, more likely than not you will not win.

The same can't be said for basketball, or soccer- the quality of the shoes, or the ball, all Nike commercials notwithstanding, doesn't really matter- it's about your fitness level, and innate ability.

Again- doesn't mean auto racing isn't hard, or that I wouldn't turn myself into a red smear if I tried it, it's just not a sport.

blanx

[bup]

stankow's standards make war a sport.

[stankow]

Originally posted by bup
stankow's standards make war a sport.

Who won Korea? By whose objective standards?

[Telemark]

Originally posted by FloChi
Or possibly the chainsaw competitions at the local show. Axe mastery is hard, and requires lots of effort, with a chainsaw all you need to do is use it. They look like men who can't use an axe.

Having done timbersports for quite a while, I can assure you that it takes great skill to win a chainsaw competition. I'm pretty good, but there are competitors who are orders of magnitude better than I. You're all competing with identical machines so skill really matters.

Now, unlimited class chainsaw (basically motorcycle engines strapped to an ungodly large bar and chain) are another story. The skill there is mostly in building the custom machines and keeping them running. Plus you have to be strong enough to fight the immense torque they generate.

Crosscut sawing is also heavily dependent on getting the best and best prepared saws. But skill plus lots of practice is the biggest factor.

[interface2x]

I'd like to add Competitive Eating to this list. Yeah, eating a 100 hot dogs in 5 minutes is somethin', but sheesh.

Colin

[tigergirl]

Originally posted by jmpride62
badminton, croquet, and any sport where humans ride on animals who get food and water for running their asses off while their passengers get prize money
And why exactly do you think of badminton as a sad excuse for a sport?

If you apply stankow's definition of sport :

Must include physical activity necessary to the sport
Yes... I consider running and hitting the shuttle to be physical.

must have the other competitors directly trying to keep you from scoring/finishing/whatever
Yes... goal is to hit it back to the opposition so that they can'thit it back to you.

must have objective standards
Yes... lots but I won't go into them.

I'd be interested to know why you didn't list Squash or Tennis considering your definition of sport :rolleyes:

[bup]

Stankow, Korea was a tie.

Ties are allowed, right?

The objective standard is if somebody surrenders, they lose. Other means of ending wars are draws.

[Cio Cio San]

fishing/hunting those make no sense to me, and especially fishing as a sport. Sports usually don't involve bullshitting with your friends in a boat, and getting drunk at the same time. Also sneaking up on animals and shooting them, only to have them stuffed in some angry aggressive pose to make it seem like you shot the animal as it was attacking you is pretty lame

[stankow]

If Korea was a tie, bup, then why have both sides insisted they won for the last fifty years? Doesn't seem too objective to me.

[Pergau]

I can't believe that the thread got this far without anybody mentioning Beach Volleyball.

Beach Volleyball

Has to be the two saddest excuse for sport ever
It's a pathetic excuse for getting people to wear as few clothes as passible, and jiggle.

Not that I'm against jiggling, but it's more an art than a sport.

[istara]

Golf
Chess
Snooker

And although I love watching figure skating and ice-dancing etc, it can't in all honesty be described as "a sport." Unless ballet, line-dancing and morrismen also get included. Not a sport in the competitive sense anyway, as it's artistically judged, not physically measurable.

[pbrtallboy]

Originally posted by Yo La Tengo

3. Skateboarding - I tried it a couple times. Gay as hell. :o



What do you mean "Gay as hell?" Skateboarding is so gay? For gays? All skateboarders are gay? If only.

[RaCha'ar]

Wow. You know, I just realised that I read the OP several times and never picked up on that. Why "gay as hell," indeed?

[tallinu]

Originally posted by stankow
I have a simple definition for "sport": Must include physical activity necessary to the sport (chess, no; curling, yes); must have the other competitors directly trying to keep you from scoring/finishing/whatever (golf, no; basketball, yes); must have objective standards (figure skating, no; football, yes).

No physical activity or opposition? It's a game. It may be a competitive game, but it's a game.


too limiting IMHO. the biggest of these is the direct competition using that, here's a quick smaple list:

"Sports":
Football (US,Aus,rugby, euro, et. al)
Baseball
Basketball
Billiards

"Not Sports":
Most Downhill skiing events
Most racing (human powered or otherwise)
almost all track and field


(FTR, I consider billiards to be a game, not a sport, but it fits the definition above)

That direct competition clause is the part I can't agree with, and that I base the above list on. I am, of course, not saying that you cannot use the above deifinition, but I think it's too limiting. Although as a definition for TEAM sports, it has more merit.

Another note, most forms of auto racing is, according to this definition, a sport. To call it not because of the car is ludicrous. While you are at it, you can discount downhill skiing as well, unless you don't think gravity plays a major role in the event (like cars do in racing). I won't debate the physical exertion of a race driver vs other sports unless absolutely required, but to think that there is no effort, well, if you think that drving isn't work, you've never really driven. What about sail racing? Doesn't count because of wind/hull design? Bah.

As for the saddest sport... I guess I have to wait until I see the resolution of this definition, as it will widely change the available choices

[Skerri]

Yo La Tengo, I suggest you find a better word to describe your feelings about skateboarding. I assume you equate 'gay' with 'lame', and that's just not right. Besides, I would like to see you drop in on a half-pipe and get even close enough to getting enough air to do anything. Or better yet, go on outside and attempt to do some of the things skateboarders do on your street. There is physical activity, skill, timing, and creativity required. Call it a spectator sport, or whatever you want, but don't put it down just because it's not something you like.

Skerri, who equates 'gay' with 'sexual preference', and skated for 4 years until she broke her ankle.

[stankow]

You raise good points, tallinu. I'm not saying that all things in the set that satisfy my definition of "sport" are inherently better than all things that do not.

The opposition factor is a big sticking point whenever I bring this up, because people point out things like skiing or track and field events, but to me, it's a crucial distinction. Skiers are unquestionably athletes in competition, but who are they competing against? It's not each other, it's the mountain. A skier can make the worst run of his life and end up winning because everyone else skied off into the woods and was eaten by a bear. I prefer my winners to have won, not to have avoid losing. And the best way to know that you've won is to have the loser as your directly interfering opposition.

[tallinu]

stankow

Instead of turning this into a debate (and it may be a good GD thread), I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree :)

You did bring up some good points though...

I skimmed past the "skateboarding is gay" statement as well, mainly because it holds no interest from me, but I agree, without trying to pile on, that it could have been worded better...

Stil thinking about saddest sport...

[stankow]

It's purely a matter of definition. Sport is sport and competition is competition, and as long as we can agree that figure skating ain't a sport, I'm happy.

[tallinu]

Originally posted by stankow
It's purely a matter of definition. Sport is sport and competition is competition, and as long as we can agree that figure skating ain't a sport, I'm happy.

:D

No arguments here on that one.

[ElwoodCuse]

Golf is a sport because it takes physical ability to play. It's not grueling like ice hockey, but it's still a physical test.

Bridge, chess, etc. are games, not sports.

Anything with judges (figure skating, diving, cheerleading, marching band, ballroom dance, etc.) is not a sport. There's no set standards.

And I'll join with several others in saying auto racing is not a sport. Is it hard? Sure. Does the best car always win? No, there's a lot of strategy, and learning how to drive successfully is tough. If anything, I think auto racing is more a mental than physical test. Is there a clear winner and loser? You bet. But come on, driving in circles for 500 miles? Although I bet F1 racers laugh when they hear NASCAR drivers complain about the two road courses on the circuit.

[Jeremy's Evil Twin]

Frisbee Golf.

[Eternal]

Running Around in a Field Yelling "Fred!"

It has a large and dedicated fanbase, but I just don't see the attraction.

[Ivar]

Originally posted by Osiris



Of course all sports, ALL SPORTS, are wimpy when compared with Shirling. Leave it to the Scots to invent that. *shudder*



I have googled on Shirling. but can't find it.
Anyone want to tell me what the hell it is?

Are you possibly referring to shinty?

[racinchikki]

ElwoodCuse, I can't help but laugh.
Golf is a sport because it takes physical ability to play. It's not grueling like ice hockey, but it's still a physical test.
And I'll join with several others in saying auto racing is not a sport. [snip] I think auto racing is more a mental than physical test. [snip] But come on, driving in circles for 500 miles?

So... golf is more physical than auto racing. You have obviously never paid much attention to the latter.

[lurkernomore]

Originally posted by Ivar


I have googled on Shirling. but can't find it.
Anyone want to tell me what the hell it is?

Are you possibly referring to shinty?

Maybe the Irish game of Hurling? A game that, when you slow down, you retire from and take a gentler game - like Aussie Rules Football?

Maybe we should make figure skating a sport again - Ultimate Figure Skating - put all the pairs out at once, and the last pair standing wins...."Tonya has a pipe...OOOHHH!!! Nancy's down!....."

[Pablito]

Lamest "sports" to watch on TV(yes, I know I'm changing the criteria)
1.Professional women's golf. 'Nuff said.
2. Anything involving a car, though NASCAR is, in my view, slightly less offensive than Formula One racing (or whatever it's called) because the cars don't all look the same and the drivers are more 'colorful' (i.e., redneck personality forced into the media spotlight and doused with champagne after a win).

[Pablito]

Sorry, I posted before I finished my darn list. Let me add . . .

3. All variations of bowling.
4. Anything using a rifle and a paper target
5. All types of golf not mentioned in #1.
6. Hmmm. I know there are some others, but I'm drawing a blank right now.

[Pablito]

Ok, I'm breaking some rule posting 3 times in a row, but I'd hate to leave out . . .
7. Anything whose outcome is predetermined, such as 'Professional' 'Wrestling' or 'Professional' boxing (the latter is also objectionable because of the inevitable camera shot of Don King's hair).

[stankow]

In defense of professional wrestling, Pablito, it's been a while since they bothered with the pretense that it was a sport.

[ElwoodCuse]

Racin, I don't mean to say that golf is tougher on the body than 500 miles in a race car. My point is this. Does auto racing require physical strength as a skill? Yes, you have to sit in a broiling car for hours and endure G forces, but it's not a test of how hard you can push the pedal. As I see it, the skills involved in auto racing are mental (strategy and positioning) and mechanical (designing the actual car).

[stankow]

It's not strength, but clearly there's some dexterity involved in passing between another couple of cars driving four times as fast as the speed limit in most places with a few inches of clearance on either side.

[racinchikki]

It's not strength so much as it is stamina. Professional race car drivers work out on a regular basis and those that don't don't perform as well. Hours of driving and manhandling the car in intense heat takes its toll on you physically. It's not like a leisurely drive to the mall during Christmas season.

[Tsubaki]

Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky
1. Golf
2. Golf
3. Oh yeah, golf.

And I'd like to add...golf.

[ElwoodCuse]

Hey, lay off golf. There's more fatties in Major League Baseball than the PGA Tour.

John Kruk's autobiography is titled, "I Ain't an Athlete, I'm a Baseball Player".

I rest my case.

[partly_warmer]

Some fine sentiments!

Here's what I object to: Some "invented last year", "we're wonderfully hip and extreme", "admire us because we have huge adolescent egos" sports.

Sorry. I watch sports (rarely) because I want to see classic confrontations between trained experts. I want to appreciate skills I can only imagine on a good day.

I don't agree that skateboarding or curling are inherently worthless skills. However. I do have to ask why, if these guys are so good, they couldn't compete in one of the traditional sports. Just to stave off a knee-jerk reaction, I'll posit an answer: The skateboarders can't compete, so they're inventing their own rules. Big f****** deal.