The definitive real sports poll

[Kodos]

Due to popular demand, I have come up with another poll to electrify the masses. :)

[Marmel]

Electric, as in the chair maybe. :(

[Kodos]

Ahh, my number one fan. According to the polls...

[JeeberD]

And Kodos' streak is over... :(

[Kodos]

But a new one is just beginning. Can I beat my record of 10 days without a poll? Ohhhh, the drama!

[Marmel]

Well, you are on almost a 2 year streak of useless topics. That is something to be proud of. :D

[Vince]

@#$* the two of you who don't think Baseball is a sport.

[tucker342]

I said Football, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, and Tennis

[tucker342]

dola-

That's not as impressive as your streak of two and a half years of useless topics Marmel:D

[Calis]

Anyone else frightened by the fact we have people here who consider bowling a sport? :)

[BishopMVP]

You left off the two greatest sports in the world - lacrosse and hurling!

FWIW, I voted for the Baseball, football, basketball, hockey, tennis and soccer.

[Blade6119]

hmmm....wheres cheerleading?!!! ;)

[sabotai]

Where's Curling?

[Jets80]

Its pretty said that Gymnastics(10) has more votes then Racing(8).....At least its beating bowling.

[sooner333]

For some reason I thought this would have Bryant Gumbel in here somewhere.

[EagleFan]

I'm puzzled by the 1 person that doesn't think football is a sport, 3 people that don't think hockey is, 2 people that don't think baskeball is and 4 people that don't think baseball is. Just what is their definition of a sport?

[Jets80]

I am one of the people who didn't vote Basketball or Hocky as sports.......I didn't vote Gymnastics either.

[EagleFan]

Please elaborate....

[Jets80]

Originally posted by EagleFan
Please elaborate....

I was pissed becasue of the low support for Auto Racing. So I figure why vote for sports I dont like when people didn't vote for a sport they didn't like or don't understand.

[Jets80]

12 VOTES FOR GYMNASTICS!!!!!!

Go directly over to the "How gay are you?" thread and take the gay test

[EagleFan]

Thanks for the response. I was hoping you weren't reading my post as an attack and it seems like you didn't. I was just curious if there were reasons like that or if there are other reasons that some don't consider them to be a sport.

[EagleFan]

Originally posted by Jets80
12 VOTES FOR GYMNASTICS!!!!!!

Go directly over to the "How gay are you?" thread and take the gay test

lol

[kcchief19]

Originally posted by Jets80
I was pissed becasue of the low support for Auto Racing. So I figure why vote for sports I dont like when people didn't vote for a sport they didn't like or don't understand.
It is this kind of logic that prompts people who don't like auto racing to bash people who do.

[sabotai]

"I was pissed becasue of the low support for Auto Racing. So I figure why vote for sports I dont like when people didn't vote for a sport they didn't like or don't understand."

Yup...not at all possible that most people just don't consider auto racing a sport. :rolleyes:

(FTR, I do enjoy watching auto racing, but I don't consider it a sport)

[Blade6119]

I actually hate auto racing in all shapes and form, but i voted for it..your mentality sucks...maybe your just mad because you married your sister like all other auto racing fans ;)

[Jets80]

Originally posted by Blade6119
I actually hate auto racing in all shapes and form, but i voted for it..your mentality sucks...maybe your just mad because you married your sister like all other auto racing fans ;)

I guess those 150,000 fans that pack Phoenix Int'l raceway every November marry their sisters too...????? Didn't know there was so much insest out your way.

[vex]

Ok, who here doesn't think that football is a "real" sport? Obviously one person doesn't.

[vex]

Nevermind, I see the whine post above.

[Jets80]

Probably Blade since the Cardinals suck.

[oykib]

Everything except Gymnastics. I like Gymnastics. But every real sport has objective measurements of winners and losers. If you run a race the winner is the guy that comes in first. The water polo team that scores the most goals wins. If you can't give me a one sentence objective explanation of winners and losers for your competition, then it ain't a sport.

[Blade6119]

Originally posted by Jets80
Probably Blade since the Cardinals suck.

only moved here about a year ago...im all about the St. Louis Rams...and even most of the people who pack the raceway here are traveling nascar fans....and i will have to look into the 150,000 thing...doesn't sound quite right to me

ut to be on the point...i was making a joke...if you read the beginning of the post, you would know i voted in support of auto racing...so take your attitude somewhere else, because a fight is not needed...its been fairly peaceful since horns left..

[Alf]

Baseball is not a sport. When will masses finally understand ?

[fantastic flying froggies]

Note the interesting trend - the top 5 are all team sports.

conclusion : for the general public, if it's not played in a team, it's not a sport ???

[CK#12]

All of the above are sports except gymnastics.
I've had this debate with friends 1,000 times and I stand by the argument that anything that requires judges to decide the winner, e.g. gymnastics, ice dancing, synchronised swimming, etc. are not sports.
Whatever your feelings about bowling, golf or any other sport they do require some skill and at the end the winner is clear.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Originally posted by CK#12
Whatever your feelings about bowling, golf or any other sport they do require some skill and at the end the winner is clear.

So does a hamburger eating competition. Does that make it a sport ?

[Marmel]

If it is shown on Sportscenter, it is a sport. At least that is my definition. I am not sure why people feel the need to discount something as being a sport.

[Fritz]

all this talk of electric makes me want to line dance.

[Ksyrup]

FWIW, this subject has already been put to rest, and I think the guy is spot-on:

Rigorous Definition of Sport (http://www.stanford.edu/~sehealey/sport.html)


Steve Healey presents
The Rigorous Definition of a Sport

It has come to my attention that many people simply do not know what a sport is. It is a sad state of affairs, but it is true. Many of you are under the mistaken impression that certain activities that are competitive and athletic in nature are sports when, in reality, they are not. However, there is hope for you all; I am here to enlighten the ignorant masses.

Thus, I present the Rigorous Definition of a Sport:

A sport is any activity in which all of the following take place:



An individual playing session is held between exactly two opposing players or teams.

The successful completion of a playing session results in a win for one player or team and a loss for the other or a tie between the two players or teams.

An integer score is assigned to each team corresponding directly to the number of times certain predetermined actions are performed by that team. The only judgment by any official regarding the score is whether these actions were performed.

The winner of the playing session is determined by the final score.

The players regularly engage in rapid, self-propelled locomotion. Examples include, but are not limited to, running, skating, and swimming.

The duration of the game is limited either by time or by the completion of a preselected number of play units, whose scope is determined by the completion of certain events during play.

The objective of the activity does not at any time directly involve physically harming an opponent.

The status of a solid inanimate object, movable by the force of one player, is of central importance when play is active. Furthermore, when play is active, the object is not physically attached to any player; and it is not rendered motionless, held, or contained by any player for an extended period of time.

No live animals, other than humans, are used.


In accordance with this definition, the following are sports:

Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cricket
Football
Handball
Hockey
Jai alai
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Tennis
Volleyball
Water polo


In accordance with this definition, the following are not sports:

Air hockey
Archery
Biathlon
Billiards
Bobsled
Bowling
Boxing
Canoeing/kayaking
Cheerleading
Croquet
Curling
Cycling
Diving
Equestrian
Fencing
Figure skating
Golf
Gymnastics
Luge
Martial arts
Polo
Rowing
Sailing
Shooting
Speed skating
Skiing, ski jump, and snowboarding
Swimming
Synchronized swimming
Table tennis
Track and field
Weightlifting
Wrestling

Questions and comments regarding the Rigorous Definition of a Sport should be directed to Steve Healey at [email protected].

[vex]

Originally posted by Marmel
If it is shown on Sportscenter, it is a sport. At least that is my definition. I am not sure why people feel the need to discount something as being a sport.


They always show the National Spelling Bee on SportsCenter...

[Marmel]

Originally posted by vexroid
They always show the National Spelling Bee on SportsCenter...


I think they show the Spelling Bee itself, but I do not recall it ever being highlighted on Sprtscenter. ;)

I suppose I should have been a bit clearer in my thoughts above.

If a 'competition' claims to be a sport (which the Spelling Bee does not, but Auto Racing does) and it fits any part of the definition of sport (auto Racing is a race, therefore a sport), I don't have a problem with it.

In this world, the more sports we have the better. :)

I still would like to know why people feel the need to discount something as a sport, especially when the organization that governs the sports calls it a sport.

[CK#12]

FFF,

If you consider eating a lot of hamburgers a genuine skill then yes it is a sport.

[KWhit]

Originally posted by Jets80
I was pissed becasue of the low support for Auto Racing. So I figure why vote for sports I dont like when people didn't vote for a sport they didn't like or don't understand.

Lame.

[rheumatic duck]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
FWIW, this subject has already been put to rest, and I think the guy is spot-on:

Rigorous Definition of Sport (http://www.stanford.edu/~sehealey/sport.html)


Steve Healey presents
The Rigorous Definition of a Sport

It has come to my attention that many people simply do not know what a sport is. It is a sad state of affairs, but it is true. Many of you are under the mistaken impression that certain activities that are competitive and athletic in nature are sports when, in reality, they are not. However, there is hope for you all; I am here to enlighten the ignorant masses.

Thus, I present the Rigorous Definition of a Sport:

A sport is any activity in which all of the following take place:



An individual playing session is held between exactly two opposing players or teams.

The successful completion of a playing session results in a win for one player or team and a loss for the other or a tie between the two players or teams.

An integer score is assigned to each team corresponding directly to the number of times certain predetermined actions are performed by that team. The only judgment by any official regarding the score is whether these actions were performed.

I think figure skaters are rated based on whether they perform the different spins and what not they intend to do. So skating is a sport.

The winner of the playing session is determined by the final score.

The players regularly engage in rapid, self-propelled locomotion. Examples include, but are not limited to, running, skating, and swimming.

Technically, pressing the gas in auto racing is a self propelled locomotin, and I'd say it is rapid. And players walk after hitting a home run, so that gets rid of baseball, or else you have to give me golf.

The duration of the game is limited either by time or by the completion of a preselected number of play units, whose scope is determined by the completion of certain events during play.

The objective of the activity does not at any time directly involve physically harming an opponent.

The object in football is to impede someone from moving forward by inflicting some kind of physical harm that prevents them from moving further at the time. Same in hockey.

The status of a solid inanimate object, movable by the force of one player, is of central importance when play is active. Furthermore, when play is active, the object is not physically attached to any player; and it is not rendered motionless, held, or contained by any player for an extended period of time.

Baseball pitchers hold the ball for an extended period of time. In football, the running back holds the ball for quite some time on long runs.

No live animals, other than humans, are used.


In accordance with this definition, the following are sports:

Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cricket
Football
Handball
Hockey
Jai alai
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Tennis
Volleyball
Water polo


In accordance with this definition, the following are not sports:

Air hockey
Archery
Biathlon
Billiards
Bobsled
Bowling
Boxing
Canoeing/kayaking
Cheerleading
Croquet
Curling
Cycling
Diving
Equestrian
Fencing
Figure skating
Golf
Gymnastics
Luge
Martial arts
Polo
Rowing
Sailing
Shooting
Speed skating
Skiing, ski jump, and snowboarding
Swimming
Synchronized swimming
Table tennis
Track and field
Weightlifting
Wrestling

Questions and comments regarding the Rigorous Definition of a Sport should be directed to Steve Healey at [email protected].

SO baseball, football and hockey are gone. golf is definitely in. Table tennis has to be in (have you played for real?) Track and field is in.

[JAG]

I was hoping chess would've been an option...

[Calis]

Originally posted by rheumatic duck
I think figure skaters are rated based on whether they perform the different spins and what not they intend to do. So skating is a sport.

This doesn't pan out. Figure Skaters HAVE to do a certain amount of spins/twists/etc...but they're not rated on that. They're rated by how well they do them. It would be like if in football you still had to score a TD/FG/etc..., but the points were based off of how well you did it, so I'm afraid that argument doesn't fit. It also clearly states in there that the only judgement is whether it's done, not how well it's done.

Originally posted by rheumatic duck
Technically, pressing the gas in auto racing is a self propelled locomotin, and I'd say it is rapid. And players walk after hitting a home run, so that gets rid of baseball, or else you have to give me golf.

Sorry, this is one helluva reach. :)

Originally posted by rheumatic duck
The object in football is to impede someone from moving forward by inflicting some kind of physical harm that prevents them from moving further at the time. Same in hockey.

I will have to once again disagree, the objective in football is NEVER to physically harm someone. It might happen yes, but that's not the point, and you don't win because of it.


Anyway, I don't agree with everything in this article, but I think you're reaching, making arguments for the sake of arguing. :)

[sabotai]

"the objective in football is NEVER to physically harm someone."

Unless your name is Warren Sapp. :)

[Kodos]

Or Bill Romanowski.

[scooper]

It took 50 posts for somebody to call this poll asinine?

[Kodos]

This may have been my most popular poll ever. I'm all aglow. :)

[Marmel]

Originally posted by Kodos
This may have been my most popular poll ever. I'm all aglow. :)


That is not saying much. :p

[Kodos]

Strange, but you're always one of the first people to post in my polls. If you dislike them so much, shouldn't you stay away from them? :P

[Marmel]

I look forward to seeing what kind of ridiculous stuff you can come up with.

[Kodos]

So you want me to aim for ridiculous when starting polls. Okay. Note to self. More ridiculous polls... Got it.

[heybrad]

Originally posted by rheumatic duck
The object in football is to impede someone from moving forward by inflicting some kind of physical harm that prevents them from moving further at the time. Same in hockey.
The object of hockey is to put the puck in the net. Its not to physically harm or stop somebody. A winner is defined by who scores the most goals. At the end of the game they dont add up which team inflected the most harm or impeded progress.

[Buzzbee]

Hey Brad!

[Buzzbee]

Dola

So based on the rules listed above, a round of golf between two people IS a sport, but the Masters Tournament isn't.

And how can tennis be a sport, but table tennis not be a sport, based on his rules? There is rapid self-locomotion in table tennis, just not over as much distance.

Sorry, but even HE can't get it right.

{Edited for proper Dola notation}:D

[Maple Leafs]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
The successful completion of a playing session results in a win for one player or team and a loss for the other or a tie between the two players or teams.

In accordance with this definition, the following are sports:
Hockey
Good article, but apparently out-dated. Thanks to the league's marketing geniuses, NHL hockey would apparently no longer be a sport based on this guy's criteria.

[vex]

Originally posted by Marmel
I think they show the Spelling Bee itself, but I do not recall it ever being highlighted on Sprtscenter. ;)

I suppose I should have been a bit clearer in my thoughts above.

If a 'competition' claims to be a sport (which the Spelling Bee does not, but Auto Racing does) and it fits any part of the definition of sport (auto Racing is a race, therefore a sport), I don't have a problem with it.

In this world, the more sports we have the better. :)

I still would like to know why people feel the need to discount something as a sport, especially when the organization that governs the sports calls it a sport.


They show the winner spelling the final word, I know.

[Vince]

Perhaps I'm missing it, but why isn't Fencing a sport? As a Fencer, I object to this.

1) Individual Playing Session between two players or teams.
Well duh...it's one on one.

2) The completion of play results in a win, loss or tie.
Yup. See further down for clarification.

3) An integer score...blah blah blah.
Each Fencer scores a 'touch' when he hits the other fencer legally. This touch is guaged by electronic equipment that is nearly infallible. The only judgement required is whether rules of right of way were established...and I believe that distinction is equivalent to Umpires determining balls and strikes in baseball, or Refs determining fouls in Basketball.

4) Winner determined by said score
Yes, the person with the most touches when time expires, or the first person to 10 touches (varies depending upon the tournament) wins.

5) Regular Self-Propelled Locomotion
If you aren't moving in Fencing, you lose. Simple as that. I sweat more fencing than I do participating in any other sport.

6) Duration of the game limited by time or playing units.
Yes, there is usually a 10 minute play limit, or a limited number of touches.

7) Intention is not to physically harm someone.
Anyone thinking that the point of Fencing is to hurt someone is sadly mistaken...it is for sport, and tons of protective equipment is worn. It takes some doing to hurt someone with a Foil, Saber or Epee.

8) Solid Inanimate Object Status
Ok, this is the only place where Fencing might not be a sport...however, this rule is ridiculous. As someone has already pointed out, in Football at nearly all times, the ball is held by someone. I think that this is the weakest of his rules for determining a sport.

9) No animals other than humans.
Nope.

I think Fencing is definitely a sport. I might get reamed up and down for this, however, I think that most anyone who has ever fenced will agree with me.

I also question those of you who do not think that Baseball is a sport. What is your reasoning? I'm honestly curious.

[tucker342]

eh I beat this total in my first poll:D

[Kodos]

eh I beat this total in my first poll:D


No one likes a gloater, Lisa. SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE?

[MIJB#19]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Hey Brad! Rookie. ;)

I don't like the tone of this discussion at all, as in the end everybody starts throwing in arguments to 'save' their favorite sports (like baseball :p).

However, one thing keeps coming back in these "What is a sports?" discussions, track and field is called a non-sport('normal' people call it athletics, which clarifies what 'athletes' actually are).

How can one not include the mother of sports in the list of all sports?
If you want to start a list of sports, one has to start there, at atheltics as a base.
I guess in the end all team sports not involving the handover of a 'stick' would end up at the non-sports list... (Like baseball, but also like soccer and my beloved volleyball.)