OT Olympics question.

[jstewismybastardson]

The other thing to consider about baseball and softball is the field/stadium. The Olympic city tends to build these stadiums for the games, and a city/country that doesn't play baseball or softball has absolutely no use for those facilities after the Olympics is over. Moreover, they've had to build separate facilities for both, since the dimensions are so different that they can't convert them back and forth. For hockey or basketball, most cities already have arenas that can support a hockey rink or basketball court, and even if they don't, once it's built they can actually use it for other stuff.

a temporary baseball / softball dual field configuration with temp. seating could easily be converted to a soccer field(s) for future use

you look at what Richmond (suburb of Vancouver) did with the massive speed skating oval ... its now a multiuse facility for basketball/volleyball/hockey

/but i agree with you in so far as there is overall potential of big white elephants being built that lay to waste after the Olympics leave town (ie greeces facilities)

 

[elocomotive]

a temporary baseball / softball dual field configuration with temp. seating could easily be converted to a soccer field(s) for future use

Besides, it's the perfect shape to build an outdoor hockey rink inside.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

turns out Greece converted their baseball/softball facility into a soccer field where a pro team plays now ... someone had some foresight? in Greece?

 

[Slimpikins]

it could be done in different categories too, like gymnastics.. duration, distance, volu..

ok i'm done.

Plus it should be easy to see who comes in first... well at least on the mens side. For they women they may need a panel of judges.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Rugby and Aussie rules football are different sports, and the Australians play both. They actually have a strong international rugby program. There are small variations in rugby laws from league to league and level to level, just like in most sports, for safety reasons, but the core rules are always the same. Play on your feet, don't tackle high, bind into the ruck from behind, straight puts to the scrum, etc. don't change.

IN the UK they play two variants of rugby: League and Union. Union is what people think of as international rugby.

League rugby is more like American football. I don't really fully understand the rules of Rugby League but it's played in the north and is more hard hitting and violent. When a tackle is made successfully the defending team has to back off I think 10 yards and then the play resumes with the two squads rushing towards each other. That may be a bit off but it's something like that.

I only ever played Union and think it's awesome. I'm hoping to get a Rugby League game when I'm in the UK next year. Maybe then I can get to know the rules better.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Here's a video of Rugby League highlights. Pretty rough and tumble. More collisions than Union.

 

[esls79]

I'm guessing you don't get sent to the sin bin for instigators in league play.

 

[elocomotive]

Rugby + more field goal kicking + a field the size of an aircraft carrier landing pad = Aussie Rules Football?

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I'm guessing you don't get sent to the sin bin for instigators in league play.

LOL.

I'm honestly not sure how that works . I've watched a few games online and there were no fights. Like I said I'm hoping to go to a game and I'll see a fight if I have to start it myself!!!

EDIT: 3200!!!

 

[Darkstone42]

Here's a video of Rugby League highlights. Pretty rough and tumble. More collisions than Union.

That just looks like rugby in which no one actually follows the tackling laws to me...

I played union. After the tackle, except on quick recycles or offloads, you had to be behind the last foot of your side of the ruck. It was usually at least a five meter gap. If league requires players to back up more after tackles, I would think that would just make the game slower. Sure there would be bigger hits, but without the quick plays, rapid recycles, and falling offloads, I suspect a lot of the grace would be removed from the game.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yes, Jon Daly is a tremendous athlete. So was Babe Ruth. They both overcame being horribly out of shape and substance abuse problems to thrive in highly competitive sports. Their talents actually outshined much more fit individuals and individuals that weren't taking performance-inhibiting drugs.

I think when you are talking about what a SPORT is, you have to look at two components...

(1) ATHLETICISM is some crazy combination of hand-eye coordination, the ability to control your body, vision on a playing surface, anticipation, timing, touch, etc.
(2) FITNESS is all about training your body to be as fast, durable, and flexible as possible.

Some sports require tremendous athleticism though the fitness threshold is low - golf, baseball, archery, etc. Some sports require tremendous fitness, but little to no athleticism - swimming, bike racing, etc. Frankly, I know some swimmers that couldn't even hit a basketball rim if you gave them 5 foul shots, but they are fast in the water. Many sports have both - hockey, soccer, football, water polo, etc.

When you have this debate, I think you have to frame it in those parameters. To be a sport, in my opinion, you need to have at least an ounce of both. As an example, archery and gun shooting require athleticism. And archery requires the tiniest bit of strength/fitness, so I'd call it a sport (barely). Shooting? Not so much. You can be a giant, weak, winded fatty and be a great marksman.

My point is you don't have to be a good athlete to be a good professional golfer. The most important thing for a golfer is hand eye coordination. Most if not all players have swing coaches. People can be taught how to swing a club, read greens & putt. Heck they can use those long putters to help them out.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

That kills Cycling, then. The Tour de France is IT in Cycling. Even though those Brits did get all excited with Bradley winning there too.

I'm amazed none of the cyclists got caught doping.