American Super Sport Spectacular!

Ishkur · February 25th, 2004, 12:44 AM

I love American sports. As a Canadian who lives five minutes from the border, I am used to the loud, rambunctious (sometimes obnoxious, but in an amusing way. Like watching a child stick a fork in the wall socket) world of American sports entertainment. There is, quite simply, nothing like it in...
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February 25th, 2004, 01:52 AM

Ishkur.. what a great read..and you hit the bullseye big time.. and do love the little piece under the rugby pic

nyallsports · February 25th, 2004, 08:00 AM

Even I have to admit that I enjoyed the read! Very nicely written and great points. You had a few, small though, gramatical errors and a few spelling mistakes. Maybe some day you will write better articles than me.

But dont the british and other european countries do that same thing with their soccer teams, just a thought......

Ishkur · February 25th, 2004, 05:28 PM

Those aren't spelling errors, I write using the Canadian/British spelling vernacular.

And no, world team sports don't behave that way. Just look how the rosters are organized:

There are 11 players on a soccer team, and all of them will play 100% of the game.
There are 15 players on a Rugby team, and all of them will play 100% of the game.

There are 56 players on a football team, and 24 of them will play maybe 50% of the game, tops (the rest are special teams and/or second string replacements)
There are 15 players on a basketball team, and maybe 8 of them will play 100% of the game (including substitutions).
There are 15 players on a baseball team, and 9 of them will play around about 65% of the game (the innings they field + the innings they bat). The other 6 play less than 10% of the game.

Hockey is probably the only oddity, because although it has 20-man rosters that might seem excessive, it is the only sport in the world that is so physically taxing it is literally impossible for anyone to play 100% of the game, save the goalies. Because of this, substitution is required every 45 seconds, and every player participates in the game to some degree, though even the hardiest players can barely tolerate much more than 40% of ice time.

Mike · February 25th, 2004, 06:59 PM

nyall.... is the faggot here and his grammer sucks. I am sure that he will call me an ass after reading this one

February 25th, 2004, 07:01 PM

In trouble with me now Ishkur

I want more stories from you now

lol

Mike · February 25th, 2004, 07:08 PM

his writing is outstanding, I am glad that he helps out and i also enjoy reading them

Nailz · February 26th, 2004, 12:51 PM

As a long time rugby enthusiast and player, I can’t agree more. The problem is that rugby is changing and becoming more American. Most players now wear pads and head-gear. Strategic substitutions are becoming common place. Gone are the old days where 15 players played the whole game. There were no substitutes, even for injuries (except for blood injuries). Rugby has gone soft.

Gunnerman · April 2nd, 2004, 11:26 AM

Ishkur,
An absolutely excellent piece! Being a soccer fan from the US I can really relate to a great deal of what you have written.

Here are few more thoughts I might add from an American perspective. When watching the Super Bowl I always get the impression that it is kind of like watching one of those old marches of missiles in front of the Kremlin. With all the military jets and displays of nationalism. Nationalism is fine in the right context and setting, and I think this is the greatest country in world. But, I have to wonder how the NFL thinks it can grow the sport globally when its showcase event is clearly on display only to attract American audiences. I have for the last 25 years or so been able to pretty much ignore the NFL as the constant start and stop and endless replays just get on my nerves.

Baseball is an American sport. I love baseball. If there is one game where statistics are made for then it is baseball. However please don't forget that the international cousin of baseball, cricket, is also very much the same. And there is also a great deal of statistics and some specialization in cricket.

The one thing I would take issue with is your reference to the most memorable sporting events in US history. Easily the 1980 Olympic Hockey team winning the Gold Medal at Lake Placid tops any of the events you have listed. Spontaneous celebrations across the country were seen, I even remember where I was, and what I was doing when the game was on TV.

In conclusion I would like to see less of the OTT production stuff at many athletic events I attend. Why for instance do I need to hear overly loud rock and hip-hop music between every inning of a baseball game and commercials on the scoreboard is beyond me.

February 25th, 2004, 12:44 AM	#1
Ishkur Join Date: 12-27-2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 438	American Super Sport Spectacular! I love American sports. As a Canadian who lives five minutes from the border, I am used to the loud, rambunctious (sometimes obnoxious, but in an amusing way. Like watching a child stick a fork in the wall socket) world of American sports entertainment. There is, quite simply, nothing like it in... Full Article

February 25th, 2004, 07:08 PM	#7
Mike Join Date: 07-08-2002 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 10,795	A+ his writing is outstanding, I am glad that he helps out and i also enjoy reading them

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February 25th, 2004, 01:52 AM	#2
jimster Posts: n/a	Ishkur.. what a great read..and you hit the bullseye big time.. and do love the little piece under the rugby pic

February 25th, 2004, 08:00 AM	#3
nyallsports Join Date: 07-31-2003 Posts: 315	Even I have to admit that I enjoyed the read! Very nicely written and great points. You had a few, small though, gramatical errors and a few spelling mistakes. Maybe some day you will write better articles than me. But dont the british and other european countries do that same thing with their soccer teams, just a thought......

February 25th, 2004, 05:28 PM	#4
Ishkur Join Date: 12-27-2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 438	Those aren't spelling errors, I write using the Canadian/British spelling vernacular. And no, world team sports don't behave that way. Just look how the rosters are organized: There are 11 players on a soccer team, and all of them will play 100% of the game. There are 15 players on a Rugby team, and all of them will play 100% of the game. There are 56 players on a football team, and 24 of them will play maybe 50% of the game, tops (the rest are special teams and/or second string replacements) There are 15 players on a basketball team, and maybe 8 of them will play 100% of the game (including substitutions). There are 15 players on a baseball team, and 9 of them will play around about 65% of the game (the innings they field + the innings they bat). The other 6 play less than 10% of the game. Hockey is probably the only oddity, because although it has 20-man rosters that might seem excessive, it is the only sport in the world that is so physically taxing it is literally impossible for anyone to play 100% of the game, save the goalies. Because of this, substitution is required every 45 seconds, and every player participates in the game to some degree, though even the hardiest players can barely tolerate much more than 40% of ice time.

February 25th, 2004, 06:59 PM	#5
Mike Join Date: 07-08-2002 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 10,795	nyall.... is the faggot here and his grammer sucks. I am sure that he will call me an ass after reading this one

February 25th, 2004, 07:01 PM	#6
jimster Posts: n/a	In trouble with me now Ishkur I want more stories from you now lol

February 26th, 2004, 12:51 PM	#8
Nailz Join Date: 02-04-2004 Posts: 8	As a long time rugby enthusiast and player, I can’t agree more. The problem is that rugby is changing and becoming more American. Most players now wear pads and head-gear. Strategic substitutions are becoming common place. Gone are the old days where 15 players played the whole game. There were no substitutes, even for injuries (except for blood injuries). Rugby has gone soft.

April 2nd, 2004, 11:26 AM	#9
Gunnerman Join Date: 04-01-2004 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 5,519	Ishkur, An absolutely excellent piece! Being a soccer fan from the US I can really relate to a great deal of what you have written. Here are few more thoughts I might add from an American perspective. When watching the Super Bowl I always get the impression that it is kind of like watching one of those old marches of missiles in front of the Kremlin. With all the military jets and displays of nationalism. Nationalism is fine in the right context and setting, and I think this is the greatest country in world. But, I have to wonder how the NFL thinks it can grow the sport globally when its showcase event is clearly on display only to attract American audiences. I have for the last 25 years or so been able to pretty much ignore the NFL as the constant start and stop and endless replays just get on my nerves. Baseball is an American sport. I love baseball. If there is one game where statistics are made for then it is baseball. However please don't forget that the international cousin of baseball, cricket, is also very much the same. And there is also a great deal of statistics and some specialization in cricket. The one thing I would take issue with is your reference to the most memorable sporting events in US history. Easily the 1980 Olympic Hockey team winning the Gold Medal at Lake Placid tops any of the events you have listed. Spontaneous celebrations across the country were seen, I even remember where I was, and what I was doing when the game was on TV. In conclusion I would like to see less of the OTT production stuff at many athletic events I attend. Why for instance do I need to hear overly loud rock and hip-hop music between every inning of a baseball game and commercials on the scoreboard is beyond me.

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