It's not a sport if you can't play it

[I Have No Idea]

In my Calculus class, there's this guy who sits behind me who plays baseball and such. He's been kinda vocal about things like sports, and today the class watched a video about bobsledding and skeleton (looks that last one up if you have to). Now, even though I still have no idea how it tied into the lesson for that day, it was pretty interesting. But the aforementioned baseball player said "That's not a sport. It's not a sport if you can't play it." You can't "play" bobsled, he said. You can't "play" swimming, he said. I (and several others in the class who heard him) think that's a load of bull.

What are your thoughts? Agree? Disagree?

By the way, I'm not trying to demonize the guy, I just think he's pretty dang wrong on this one.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

That's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. You go right ahead and demonize the guy.

 

[Tartarga]

Well I guess by his logic board games are sports now, seeing as how you play them and what not.

This guy seems to have a very odd definition of what a sport is, sport is defined as an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature. I'm not going to call him stupid for this, he's just wrong. I would love to know how he got this idea in his head.

 

[I Have No Idea]

This guy seems to have a very odd definition of what a sport is, sport is defined as an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature. I'm not going to call him stupid for this, he's just wrong. I would love to know how he got this idea in his head.

I think he believes that something is only a sport if there's a ball or a moving object - like baseball, hockey, golf, etc.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

Both Bobsledding and Swimming take a tremendous amount of work to be good at. Heck, I'd go so far as to suggest that both take more effort, time and perseverance to succeed in then Baseball ( I'm not sure about Bobsledding, I know Swimming takes more effort then Baseball does.)

And yes, Bobsledding is used in math as an example for problems quite a bit. Almost in the same way that geometry uses the flagpole/shadow example.

As for what constitutes a sport, I'll just stick with the definition of it.

A sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants

 

[Strain42]

I...I can't play swimming?

-throws his water wings to the ground and hangs up his ducky inner-tube, hangs his head low and walks away in silence, without a word, a single tear rolls down his cheek-

 

[I Have No Idea]

And yes, Bobsledding is used in math as an example for problems quite a bit. Almost in the same way that geometry uses the flagpole/shadow example.

Haha, well, if there was any relation, my teacher didn't use it. He kinda got sidetracked once the skeleton video came up on the Youtube suggestions.

 

[I Have No Idea]

I...I can't play swimming?

-throws his water wings to the ground and hangs up his ducky inner-tube, hangs his head low and walks away in silence, without a word, a single tear rolls down his cheek-

If you were wearing water wings and a ducky inner-tube, it probably wasn't a sport anyways, kid.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Being able to "play" something doesn't make it a sport, it makes it a GAME. You compete in a sport, you play a game. Now go and tell him that baseball is a children's game and see how he reacts.

 

[loudestmute]

We can only hope that one day he mans up and tries a real competition. Like chess boxing, or Australian Indoor Rules Quidditch.

I was thinking about breaking out a 4-wedge 2D graph to try and explain this concept (not sure I'm even using the right term for the chart in question), but then I had too much time debating what should be put on the axes. Then I got distracted thinking about the comedy sketch potential of a guy showing up to "play" a triathlon. And calling a double amputee a cheater.

Give me a day or two, and I can give you a thesis paper on the athletic merits of laser tag.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Being able to "play" something doesn't make it a sport, it makes it a GAME. You compete in a sport, you play a game. Now go and tell him that baseball is a children's game and see how he reacts.

You dirty hipsters! Giving my answer before it was my answer.

 

[Nouw]

I can play with myself, I guess fapping is a sport now xD. Go tell him that if you're feeling silly.

 

[RamirezDoEverything]

He's stupid.

I can't "play" Cross Country

But you bet yer damn ass it's a sport.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

Being able to "play" something doesn't make it a sport, it makes it a GAME. You compete in a sport, you play a game. Now go and tell him that baseball is a children's game and see how he reacts.

You dirty hipsters! Giving my answer before it was my answer.

I was giving that answer before it was cool!

Spoiler

 

[ZeroMachine]

Well... I used to play with my ex-girlfriend's tits.

Are her tits a sport?

(Seriously, quote me on this. Troll that kid. He's an ass.)

 

[Vault101]

Bobsleading is a "sport" but its not a "game" per se

 

[RandallJohn]

Footracing is a sport. Bobsledding and swimming are forms of racing (even if the contestants do not race simultaneously.)

Well, his first argument's shit. Can't imagine it went uphill from there.

 

[Twilight_guy]

1. Ask him to define "play."
2. Watch him squirm.
3. ???
4. REVENGE!!

 

[Trippy Turtle]

Baseball and things are games. Sport is any type of physical activity... I think. I'm the least active person ever so don't quote me on this.