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

[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 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.

 

[UConnDan97]

-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 **** 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.

First of all, why would you go to a penalty shot for a soccer kid? Penalty shots happen so infrequently that the analogy is horrible. The better analogy is kicking a moving soccer ball at a goal with a goalie in front of it while someone is chasing you, which happens every eighth or ninth play. Then, how does your math look?

Also, the pay in baseball has nothing to do with the skill level. It has to do with the fanbase. That's what the fans here will pay to watch games both live and on tv. In Europe, there are guys making soccer contracts that make A-Rod's deal look like a rookie draft pick! Is that because of the skill level, or because people will spend half their paycheck to see Ronaldo and Rooney?

 

[UConnDan97]

which brings me to another thing. baseball and fball are far more mental sports as far as scheme/plotting/situation then the others also.

Again, "Wrong."

Just because you don't understand what the mental game is in soccer doesn't mean that it isn't there. If there weren't a mental game, then why do you see the same managers getting paid ridiculous amounts of money abroad to coach it?? (Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Roberto Mancini, etc.)

 

[uconndennis]

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"...

nah....if i put you in a hoops pick up game, you could dribble and probably make a lay-up even if you never saw a basketball. If I put you in a batters box for and threw 75 mph, you'd cry. hitting a baseball is ridiculous. the fear alone of getting one in the ear makes it near impossible

 

[Dann]

every snap in fball there is a ton of stuff going on right? the d is doing this, the o that who is moving where and so on. we all know the deal. well in baseball the same thing is going on. the difference is most people can't handle the skills so they never learn the next level which is the situation. which outfield is shifting on the pitch, bunt defense and so much more . every pitch your trying to keep the batter off balance, its the same type of schemes to certain batters as defense blitz stuff. but kids don't learn that aspect of baseball until they have gotten good enough at the skill portion where they can then execute the next level. that's why baseball is harder but a lot argue it, its because they never saw how hard it was and don't understand it. if they did understand it, then they would be playing it. im done

 

[Dann]

ok im not done.

First of all, why would you go to a penalty shot for a soccer kid? Penalty shots happen so infrequently that the analogy is horrible. The better analogy is kicking a moving soccer ball at a goal with a goalie in front of it while someone is chasing you, which happens every eighth or ninth play. Then, how does your math look?

Also, the pay in baseball has nothing to do with the skill level. It has to do with the fanbase. That's what the fans here will pay to watch games both live and on tv. In Europe, there are guys making soccer contracts that make A-Rod's deal look like a rookie draft pick! Is that because of the skill level, or because people will spend half their paycheck to see Ronaldo and Rooney?

the reason i chose a penalty shot in soccer is because the first thing kids do is walk to a field, put the ball down and shoot at the goal. its the most basic form of playing soccer. just like standing on a court somewhere and shooting. you need more in baseball to be functionally playing it. that's the point.

 

[UConnDan97]

nah....if i put you in a hoops pick up game, you could dribble and probably make a lay-up even if you never saw a basketball. If I put you in a batters box for and threw 75 mph, you'd cry. hitting a baseball is ridiculous. the fear alone of getting one in the ear makes it near impossible

If you threw 75mph as a Little Leaguer over a 90ft distance, then you wouldn't have been playing in Little League for very long. No crying necessary. Again, people, I played the sport for a few years. I actually know what it's like to face pitchers, all the way up to varsity high school ball (where they found someone better, admittedly).

Also, I don't want to give the impression that I believe it takes no skill to play baseball. Of course it does, otherwise everyone would get paid millions to do it for fun. But in the athletic comparison against a sport like basketball or soccer? Are you kidding me??

 

[UConnDan97]

ok im not done.



the reason i chose a penalty shot in soccer is because the first thing kids do is walk to a field, put the ball down and shoot at the goal. its the most basic form of playing soccer. just like standing on a court somewhere and shooting. you need more in baseball to be functionally playing it. that's the point.

That's because they didn't have friends to play with them that day. It's like hitting a tennis ball against a wall. But it's not really relevant in a game situation, is it.

 

[UConnDan97]

but kids don't learn that aspect of baseball until they have gotten good enough at the skill portion where they can then execute the next level.

That is true of EVERY sport out there. Every one. Don't pretend that the tactics in every sport don't get infinitely harder with increased skill level.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

That's because they didn't have friends to play with them that day. It's like hitting a tennis ball against a wall. But it's not really relevant in a game situation, is it.

I'll just end my piece with this question......who would look more lost if they switched sports and played for the other's respective teams: Curtis Granderson or David Beckham?

Can you imagine Beckham fielding a hot shot at 3B and making throw? Or better yet, at the plate against MLB pitching?

 

[UConnDan97]

I'll just end my piece with this question......who would look more lost if they switched sports and played for the other's respective teams: Curtis Granderson or David Beckham?

Can you imagine Beckham fielding a hot shot at 3B and making throw? Or better yet, at the plate against MLB pitching?

My answer is that they would both look equally lost. I can imagine Granderson (as athletic as he is....nice choice, by the way, and not CC Sabathia...) swinging his leg at a soccer ball and watching his toeball go out of bounds embarrassingly. I can also imagine Beckham getting a ground ball hit to him and pulling a Buckner (sorry, Red Sox fans). So yeah, equally lost, I'd say...

 

[johnhuskies95]

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.

Easy for you to say while sitting at your desk.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

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.

I'm not saying I expect compelling conversation. But saying "lol country sucks" is... pretty meh even for a college football message board.

 

[Dann]

if u can't throw back some evan williams and listen to some montgomery gentry, then i don't know what to think of u!

 

[CL82]

Just a couple of observations..

HFD you compared getting a hit in a live baseball game to taking an uncontested shot in basketball or a PK in soccer, not exactly apples to apples. If you are going to make a comparison either make it a live game experience in all sports or make it batting practice for baseball.

There's a reason why there are a lot 1-0 soccer games. It is very hard to score. Does that make it a more athletic game? Not necessarily, just a game which has been designed to make scoring difficult. I will say that soccer players tend to be able to do well in other sports, between excellent stamina, foot coordination and seeing passing and defensive angles. A lot of middle school soccer players move into other sports for high school and don't miss a beat. It is a great sport for young kids to play because, as noted above, it is an easy enough concept to explain to kids and yet is an extraordinarily difficult game to master. It's not as big a status sport in the US as some others but that is changing.

Basketball is, in my opinion one of the more difficult games to participate in as you move up the skill level. Having only five players on the court at time naturally culls the less gifted kids and since it is a very spectator friendly game (seats close to the action, played in the winter when there's less competing specator choices, fast paced and easy to understand for the casual viewer) it is fairly high status. That means that the competition to make the roster is high. That leads to some pretty decent athletes being chosen.

Baseball has a lot of good memories for me both playing and watching my son play but it is excruciatingly slow paced and the games are long. That makes it more of a challenge to draw in the casual fan but also to the kids playing it. When he finally reached the point that he felt he couldn't meet his commitments to both sports, my son chose soccer (to my silent disappointment at the time). Soccer is just a lot more fun to play, assuming that you are reasonably skilled.

For what it is worth, football is a very challenging game to play, physically and mentally. It is fun to watch but surprisingly hard for a casual fan to understand. (I'm amazed at how many women over the years have had trouble with the whole 4 downs to go ten yards concept. It seems easy enough. Never mind the more complicated aspects of the game.) In my opinion football players, somewhat position dependant, have to make the most the situational decisions of any sport based upon a wider area to scan and analyze. It has great culture but the concussion issue will have to be dealt with.

 

[JayRU09]

Golf is the hardest.