OT- Random thought....twitter and current UConn students

[spsct]

if you ever have the chance to watch an int'l soccer "match" with a foreigner that's really passionate about it i advise you do it. they love it so much their enthusiasm is infectious. i actually watched about 3 hours of Eurocup at a bar this summer and was able to enjoy it. of course anything at a bar on a weekday afternoon is enjoyable

This. Try watching the UEFA Euro Championships here when their nation is playing. They really live and die by their football here, and it's always fun to watch.

 

[Kgun7]

I don't watch too much European club soccer because it reminds me of the AL East ... but international soccer in the proper setting with knowledgeable fans around you is very entertaining and eye opening. I had the opportunity to watch USA v England at the Crown & Anchor in Vegas ... a line out the door at kickoff at 11am local time!

BTW ... a 0-0 tie in soccer can be thrilling. If you can sit through 7 pickoff attempts in a row and still watch the rest of a baseball game, a soccer match is childs play!

 

[coachcap]

Post 9-11, Country music became huge because artists like Toby Keith would sing songs about patriotism & support of the military. BUT, his two hits on my playlist at "Whiskey Girl" & "I love this bar".
Soccer has always had a niche attraction at UConn. One of my roommates in Storrs was the goalkeeper of the men's team. My brother-in-law (another alumnus) is a huge fan of Olympic soccer.

 

[spsct]

I don't watch too much European club soccer because it reminds me of the AL East ... but international soccer in the proper setting with knowledgeable fans around you is very entertaining and eye opening. I had the opportunity to watch USA v England at the Crown & Anchor in Vegas ... a line out the door at kickoff at 11am local time!

BTW ... a 0-0 tie in soccer can be thrilling. If you can sit through 7 pickoff attempts in a row and still watch the rest of a baseball game, a soccer match is childs play!

They can be quite painful as well. The worst soccer match I ever sat through was Wales vs. Germany in Dusseldorf in 2007. End of qualifiers, so there was nothing riding on the result. 2 hours of kickball back and forth.

But a match where both defenses are strong and the goalkeepers are playing lights out? Nerve wracking!

 

[SAMCRO]

I can understand why most born and raised Americans don't get behind soccer. There are so many other options to choose from, and reality is our best athletes are not choosing to play the game as they grow older (not a knock on soccer players from the US, but comparitively speaking - see the NBA and NFL - the best athletes generally go in another direction). It can be a very boring game to watch at times, especially the way it is played here. Personally, I'm a huge fan. Love the EPL's style of play, and any International games pitting country v country, but I was definitely in the minority amongst my friends.

Even non soccer fans would have loved the last day, shoot, last minutes, of the Premiereship last year. It was one of the more incredible endings to a season you could have in soccer (or any sprot really). Man U already winning their game (ending about 5 minutes before the end of Man City, who was ahead of them in the standing before game time) and Man City needing a win to win the League being down by a goal in the final minutes v. QPR at home (roughly the equivilant to Alabama being down 10 points to Indiana at home with 2 minutes left in their final game that would win them a title). The whole game was great, but the final 5-10 minutes were sick (even non-soccer fans - my wife who is not a sports fan at all - were hooked). City'a come back with two goals in the final minutes, the winner in the final few seconds, was pretty great (an dI am not a City fan).

Now that Fox Soccer and to a lesser degree ESPN is showing more EPL games, my Saturday's are looking pretty nice this fall. EPL when I wake up, then right into CFB the rest of the day and night! Sunday morning is more EPL followed by the NFL.

 

[ZooCougar]

I like soccer because I was in the right place at the right time. Korea 2002, the US went to the quarterfinals and I went to every game the US was in and a few more. If not for that experience, I don't know what I would think.

There are some really boring soccer games, but there can be some really boring football games too. Not every game is Alabama-Oregon. Sometimes you get BC-Duke.

I have had a really hard time sinking my teeth into MLS. When I was in KC, I went to some of the Wizards games and had a good time. But that was really bad soccer.

 

[IMind]

Not really country related but I just recently saw Poor Old Shine a bluegrass/folk/roots band made up of current and former UConn students at a festival in upstate New York... I never exactly thought of Storrs as a hotbed for bluegrass... but seriously they were great.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

I don't understand people who think certain genres of music are bad. As if some arrangement of sounds and harmonies could be somehow mathematically proven to be better than some other arrangement. Who cares? I am not a country fan, but I listen to rap, metal, post-rock, alternative, and even Top 40. I don't really care what other people listen to. I also enjoy bluegrass and the Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport does a once-a-month Bluegrass Night there that is an awesome time.

Also, Taylor Swift is adorable.

And International Futbal is amazing. I am thinking of becoming a West Ham fan because that's the team the nerds from The IT Crowd rooted for when they were pretending to understand the sport.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I don't understand people who think certain genres of music are bad. As if some arrangement of sounds and harmonies could be somehow mathematically proven to be better than some other arrangement. Who cares? I am not a country fan, but I listen to rap, metal, post-rock, alternative, and even Top 40. I don't really care what other people listen to. I also enjoy bluegrass and the Acoustic Cafe in Bridgeport does a once-a-month Bluegrass Night there that is an awesome time.

Also, Taylor Swift is adorable.

And International Futbal is amazing. I am thinking of becoming a West Ham fan because that's the team the nerds from The IT Crowd rooted for when they were pretending to understand the sport.

Why do you always take things one step further than they need to be taken?

Some people like country, others hate it. Some like bluegrass, others not so much. Who said anyting about genres of music being mathematically proven to be better or worse?

Also, soccer rots. You can say whatever you want but in America the kids who weren't any good in other sports usually gravitated to soccer. Someone else touched on this earlier. The best athletes in American play football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.

 

[ZooCougar]

Why do you always take things one step further than they need to be taken?

Some people like country, others hate it. Some like bluegrass, others not so much. Who said anyting about genres of music being mathematically proven to be better or worse?

Also, soccer rots. You can say whatever you want but in America the kids who weren't any good in other sports usually gravitated to soccer. Someone else touched on this earlier. The best athletes in American play football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.

First two paragraphs are good. The third is way out of date.

Baseball is horrible and less good American athletes are playing it than ever before. It's just not cool anymore.

There are more kids playing soccer than hockey. Soccer is more accessible. I like both but those are the facts.

 

[johnhuskies95]

Hockey is a niche sport now in terms of youth participation. It's only played in certain states, and lacrosse has started to make inroads on hockey's talent pool.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

Why do you always take things one step further than they need to be taken?

Some people like country, others hate it. Some like bluegrass, others not so much. Who said anyting about genres of music being mathematically proven to be better or worse?

Also, soccer rots. You can say whatever you want but in America the kids who weren't any good in other sports usually gravitated to soccer. Someone else touched on this earlier. The best athletes in American play football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.

Because people say dumb things like "country sucks, meh" and it's such a non-interesting and pointless opinion to share, I can't help but make fun when people say it. Like yeah, we get it, you have different opinions, but arguing about music is generally a pretty pointless thing to do.

Also, saying soccer sucks because American culture doesn't glorify it isn't a compelling point. You're just telling me why less Americans like soccer. Which I am fully aware of. It doesn't really change the quality of the sport itself, though.

Americans also are less likely to believe in evolution. Doesn't make it a correct opinion.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

Hockey is a niche sport now in terms of youth participation. It's only played in certain states, and lacrosse has started to make inroads on hockey's talent pool.

Hockey has always been kind of a class thing, too, even in cold weather locations. If you can't afford the equipment, you can't really play. Hence why you don't see it in as many urban areas. Whereas it's much easier for people, especially in developing countries, to just pick up a soccer ball and play.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Because people say dumb things like "country sucks, meh" and it's such a non-interesting and pointless opinion to share, I can't help but make fun when people say it. Like yeah, we get it, you have different opinions, but arguing about music is generally a pretty pointless thing to do.

Also, saying soccer sucks because American culture doesn't glorify it isn't a compelling point. You're just telling me why less Americans like soccer. Which I am fully aware of. It doesn't really change the quality of the sport itself, though.

Americans also are less likely to believe in evolution. Doesn't make it a correct opinion.

When you're stating a very subjective opinion, there is no correct or incorrect ones.

What is the mathematical formula you used to come to conclusion that soccer is a high quality sport?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

First two paragraphs are good. The third is way out of date.

Baseball is horrible and less good American athletes are playing it than ever before. It's just not cool anymore.

There are more kids playing soccer than hockey. Soccer is more accessible. I like both but those are the facts.

Fair point about baseball.

And more kids playing soccer than hockey isn't necessarily a new trend. Hockey costs a fortune.

 

[UConnDan97]

Why do you always take things one step further than they need to be taken?

Some people like country, others hate it. Some like bluegrass, others not so much. Who said anyting about genres of music being mathematically proven to be better or worse?

Also, soccer rots. You can say whatever you want but in America the kids who weren't any good in other sports usually gravitated to soccer. Someone else touched on this earlier. The best athletes in American play football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.

First of all, many of the country's athletes go into the other sports because that's where they see the money is. And when it comes to many of baseball's famous players, I don't consider them athletes (Cecil Fielder comes to mind as an example). It's perhaps the only "sport" where a coach can put someone in to "run" for you!! Great athletes, indeed.

Also, it is mathematically proven that all music that I happen to like is indeed better. Don't blame me. Blame Sir Isaac Newton, and his Euro-centric calculus...

 

[UConnDan97]

Also, it should be noted that the most popular sport for kids under the age of 15 in the United States used to be (and I believe still is) soccer. Again, the problem is the money at the other end of the rainbow...

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

First of all, many of the country's athletes go into the other sports because that's where they see the money is. And when it comes to many of baseball's famous players, I don't consider them athletes (Cecil Fielder comes to mind as an example). It's perhaps the only "sport" where a coach can put someone in to "run" for you!! Great athletes, indeed.

Also, it is mathematically proven that all music that I happen to like is indeed better. Don't blame me. Blame Sir Isaac Newton, and his Euro-centric calculus...

Disclaimer: I have no mathematical formulas to prove any of my opinions. The opinions expressed here are that of Jimmy Serrano only. It's based on my life experiences.

First, one of the hardest things to do in all of athletics is to hit a baseball.

Secondly, soccer is the one sport that, as a kid, you can totally suck at and have a relatively good time playing it. Same cannot be said for basketball, hockey, football, or baseball. That's why (I think), coupled with the affordibility aspect, soccer is a popular youth sport in America.

 

[ZooCougar]

Fair point about baseball.

And more kids playing soccer than hockey isn't necessarily a new trend. Hockey costs a fortune.

Hockey is a time investment too. Practices can be a really weird hours.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Because people say dumb things like "country sucks, meh" and it's such a non-interesting and pointless opinion to share, I can't help but make fun when people say it. Like yeah, we get it, you have different opinions, but arguing about music is generally a pretty pointless thing to do.

Also, saying soccer sucks because American culture doesn't glorify it isn't a compelling point. You're just telling me why less Americans like soccer. Which I am fully aware of. It doesn't really change the quality of the sport itself, though.

Americans also are less likely to believe in evolution. Doesn't make it a correct opinion.

One last thing.....you clicked on a thread titled UConn students and twitter and expected compelling conversation? This is the BY. You must be in the wrong forum.

 

[Dann]

soccer and bball are popular because they are easy to play as far as whats needed and skill wise at non high levels.
even at low levels like little league baseball is a skill sport much more so then others. thats why u see a ton of kids that dont make little league all star type teams all of a sudden go play lax the next year. in lax it takes some skill to shoot and pass but not even close the skill of baseball. you can be more of a pure ath in lax and be a player compared to baseball. thats the shift. its kids who can't hack 1 moving to the other. now parents are just filtering kids to lax(which is fine, to each there own) and the kid never develops great skills because of it(hand eye type stuff).

lax will continue to grow and become a semi popular college sport. it will never touch baseball in college or pros.

 

[UConnDan97]

Disclaimer: I have no mathematical formulas to prove any of my opinions. The opinions expressed here are that of Jimmy Serrano only. It's based on my life experiences.

First, one of the hardest things to do in all of athletics is to hit a baseball.

Secondly, soccer is the one sport that, as a kid, you can totally suck at and have a relatively good time playing it. Same cannot be said for basketball, hockey, football, or baseball. That's why (I think), coupled with the affordibility aspect, soccer is a popular youth sport in America.

First, I didn't like your math on that. Second, hitting a baseball is not one of the hardest things to do, actually. It is a misrepresented statement that I hear all the time. Let's hold aside the fact that I don't believe swinging a bat makes you an athlete any more than swinging an axe makes a lumberjack an athlete, since my personal definition of an athlete requires both strength and fitness. Having said that, almost every batter that steps to the plate in baseball hits the ball, which should in and of itself invalidate the statement. And if you are referring to "getting a hit" or "getting safely on base," the average pro is getting on base 1/4 of the time he is offered the opportunity through hitting and more so through the opportunity of walking or getting hit with a pitch.

There are a great many things that are harder in sports, such as a running back scoring a touchdown, a soccer player scoring a goal, a hockey player scoring a goal, etc. The baseball myth is just that; a myth.

That's why they call it the great American "pastime"....so you can "pass the time"...

 

[UConnDan97]

soccer and bball are popular because they are easy to play as far as whats needed and skill wise at non high levels.
even at low levels like little league baseball is a skill sport much more so then others. thats why u see a ton of kids that dont make little league all star type teams all of a sudden go play lax the next year.

Wrong.

As a kid, it was much harder to get onto a bball team than it was a baseball team. And a baseball team was equally hard to get on as a soccer team, which is to say not extremely hard. And I'm saying that having grown up in a very "baseball competitive" town (East Hartford). None of what you said has anything to do with skill level. Most often times, it comes down to what the field or court availability is, what the referee / umpire availability is, and what the coaching availability is.

 

[Kgun7]

Hockey is a niche sport now in terms of youth participation. It's only played in certain states, and lacrosse has started to make inroads on hockey's talent pool.

High School hockey is played in the winter and lacrosse in the fall ... therefore we in Somers get a lot of dual participation between the 2 sports. However, baseball is losing players to lacrosse ... kids say baseball is too boring.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

First, I didn't like your math on that. Second, hitting a baseball is not one of the hardest things to do, actually. It is a misrepresented statement that I hear all the time. Let's hold aside the fact that I don't believe swinging a bat makes you an athlete any more than swinging an axe makes a lumberjack an athlete, since my personal definition of an athlete requires both strength and fitness. Having said that, almost every batter that steps to the plate in baseball hits the ball, which should in and of itself invalidate the statement. And if you are referring to "getting a hit" or "getting safely on base," the average pro is getting on base 1/4 of the time he is offered the opportunity through hitting and more so through the opportunity of walking or getting hit with a pitch.

There are a great many things that are harder in sports, such as a running back scoring a touchdown, a soccer player scoring a goal, a hockey player scoring a goal, etc. The baseball myth is just that; a myth.

That's why they call it the great American "pastime"....so you can "pass the time"...

This is just an incorrect statement. I coach Little League baseball. There were 4 kids (out of 11) who never even hit a foul ball.

We are not on the same wave length here.

 

[UConnDan97]

This is just an incorrect statement. I coach Little League baseball. There were 4 kids (out of 11) who never even hit a foul ball.

We are not on the same wave length here.

If we are talking about Little League age specifically (I was thinking adults, which is why I was talking about the pros' numbers), then I can also tell you that I have had multiple 11 and 12 year olds who could not convert a pass with their feet in soccer, much less score a goal. So hitting the ball is STILL not the hardest thing to do. The same can be said about the comparison of hitting a ball versus an 11-year old kid hitting a free throw in basketball, or scoring a touchdown in football. To me, the statement is meaningless.

You're probably right that we just aren't on the same wavelength...

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I love ya 97 but.......I think you're hatred for baseball is getting in the way a little too much here.

 

[UConnDan97]

I love ya 97 but.......I think you're hatred for baseball is getting in the way a little too much here.

I love ya back, Jimmy. Keep in mind, I mentioned in my previous post that I played baseball, so no hatred. I played through Little League, Babe Ruth, and for 2 years in high school (they had a better first baseman than I was, for sure). But I understand what baseball is. Rarely did any of our sweat come from anything other than the hot day, or sprinting the base paths on the rare occasions where you were trying to stretch out a double. Again, what other sport sends another player in to "run" for you?

 

[Dann]

-kid stands at the penalty kick mark on a soccer field. he gets ten tries to kick the ball in the goal.
-kid stands at the foul line and he gets ten tries to make a basket(foul shot)
-kid stands at the plate and he gets ten pitches to hit a base hit

u tell me which one is the hardest?
-soccer its just u vs the goalie
-bball its just aiming your shot at that age
-baseball you have to hit a moving ball with a bat, then hope fielders dont make th play on you depending on where you hit it.

the skill set in baseball is harder. its just a perception thing based on how a certain person was raised and what you grew up around. if baseball or fball or hockey were easy sports, even bball at the high levels, they wouldn't get paid a shit load to play in the pros. there is a reason lax will never be anything more than a fun to watch college sport that gives kids sships.

-anyone can pick up a bball and go to a local park and shoot hoops. you can go to the ice rink and free skate and day u want. fball and baseball you needs other players who are skilled at the sport.

 

[Dann]

Again, what other sport sends another player in to "run" for you?

i think your taking beer league softball to seriously. lol

a pitch runner in baseball isn't just a hey run for the fat guy think. its situation stuff. who are you going to replace here in the field or in the order etc. which brings me to another thing. baseball and fball are far more mental sports as far as scheme/plotting/situation then the others also.