National Spelling Bee-Sport or not a sport?

[DolphinsFanatic]

This post is a week late in coming but seeing how the site was down I will go ahead and see if you all agree with me.

Last week they had full coverage of the National Spelling Bee both on ESPN and ABC. Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic hosts of Mike and Mike in the morning on ESPN radio hosted the events. Now is it just me or is this not a sport I mean if this is a sport then I guess Jeopardy is a sport.

Don't get me wrong I usually defend people who say certain events arent sports like figure skating, skiing, golf, extreme sports, etc. There are people that believe those arent sports. But, the National Spelling Bee?

Come on now if a bunch of adolescent's spelling words that are buried deep in the dicitionary that almost no one uses in thier everyday speech is a sport then I guess I am not the all sports lover that I thought I was.

I think if ESPN and ABC want to cover the event then fine but dont reffer to it as a sport I dont want to see it on Sportscenter or hear about it on sports radio.

Any one else agree?

[titansrule]

Are you serious? They actually had it as a sport? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Thats just funny. Am I missing the physical activity part?

I agree. While I really admire their ability and the studying they do, especially since I can't spell for crap, I don't see this as a sport. Like you said, you could then consider Jepordy, Wheel of Fortune and just about anything that includes brain work to be a sport.

Hell, why not add Scrabble as a sport too *shrugs*

[cashpath]

Well if you go STRICTLY by the dictionary definition of sport you could say anything that is a competition is a sport. I like to think they did not mean ANY physical activity.. as in breathing, or thinking... but you could argue that.. which makes this all a matter of opinion where there is no wrong opinion. (Sometimes opinions can be wrong but this is not one of those times)

In my opinion a spelling bee does not involve enough physical activity to be a sport. Neither do connect 4, Chess, poker, or Nascar.

You have about 100,000 rednecks that want to shoot you right now for that statement Cash lol.

I lived out in a "redneck" area when I first moved to Florida RIGHT behind Orlando Speed World and those people take those races SERIOUSLY man. Its insane.

[titansrule]

Myself I normally see Sports as where the physical activity is what wins you the competition...As in, your physical skill...Whilst there is physical activity in this, not only is it ridiculously tiny, but its not what wins them the competition..

Hence why I dont think its a sport. And Im pretty sure 99% of people dont.

[cashpath]

Every sport also takes mental skill... there are varying degrees.. but every sport also invovles mental abilities. The ability to recognize when your openent has let his guard down and where to throw your punch.

Technically the physical skill wins a spelling bee. The kids TALK out the letters which is physical. I physically pick up a chess piece and move it to win a game of chess. Most games are won by physical ability but they also involve mental ability.

The question is at which point is it a sport and not a game?

[T.O.F.N.]

I will argue that Wrestling is more of a sport then a Spelling Bee.

Well, for once you got me to agree with a statement about wrestling lol.

Wrestling is definetely more of a sport then the spelling bee.

[Chaos6]

I dont know... people are trying to make Gaming a sport, so I guess if you think gaming should be a sport then I dont see why Spelling Bees cant be.

[DolphinsFanatic]

First of all I am thrown back by cash's comment that NASCAR is not a sport. If you dont believe NASCAR is a sport then humor me and attend a race. Physical, well lets see its about 130 degrees inside those cars at any given time not to mention having the endurance to last a 3 plus hour race at 200 mph. Mentally, you have the strategy involved with winning the race just as football has of winning the game. Risk, well Dale Earnhardt died while trying to win the Daytona 500 as did Alan K. and that is no joke not to many sports involve possible death as a risk of playing. NASCAR is the number 3 spectator sport in the country and growing in popularity.

So explain to me how NASCAR is not a sport I think NASCAR is more of a sport than basketball and baseball combined just by the sheer risk of it all. Now I agree with the rest of cash's point that if you go by the book anything could possibly be a sport hence why ESPN evidently thinks the Bee is a sport, I disagree but understand how they may consider it one.

GO NASCAR I have the upmost respect for those courageous ATHLETES that go out there and put it ALL on the line every Sunday.

[Chaos6]

Look up the definition of Athlete

[DolphinsFanatic]

ath·lete /ˈæθlit/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ath-leet] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.


I believe my prior post explained how NASCAR drivers are athletes, stamina and strength to withstand 4 hours of brutal conditions and still be alert enough to handle a 200 mph car and have the physical skill to maneuver around other cars going 200mph. Not to mention if you watch NASCAR all the drivers with the exception of Jimmy Spencer (who no longer competes) is well in shape.

[Tigam]

So... If I sit in a sauna and play chess I'm a athlete?

[cashpath]

Yeah Nascar where 70 year old men can win races and 52 year old men still race is more of a sport than Basketball HAHAHAHA

I knew you were a little loopy DF but I didn't realize you were that loopy.

Hey ding a dang do he dun made a funnen on our nascar jesse, he dang dun said that there aint not a darn sport you believen dat der dang dat darn dude?
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Madden 2008
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Originally Posted by Tigam

So... If I sit in a sauna and play chess I'm a athlete?

Not only that but you are competing in a sport...

Heck if we sit in a sauna and play PGR with our racing wheels we are athletes. Ooh I think I just invented the next sport. We could use Forza two and turn the heater on in the house.

Oh yeah, I forgot the risk of death thing.. according to DF risk of death makes something MORE OF A SPORT... hahahaha. Ok so sitting in a sauna playing Russian roulette.. now thats a sport there.
__________________________________
Madden 2008
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An online dictionary provides the better definition of "an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition." NASCAR, without a doubt, is competitive but requires more of a mental than physical exertion. Drivers only need to be in good enough physical condition to fit in a car and not have a heart attack behind the wheel. Anyone can drive a car around a track for a couple hundred laps.

Yes, they drive at very high speeds, but it isn't that impressive. It's like highway driving. You get out on the road and start cruising at 60, 70 or 80 mph, and it just feels normal and comfortable - the "highway hypnosis" factor. All the drivers do is put the car in gear, push the pedal, steer and collect a check. It all comes down to money and last names.

The Petty, Waltrip, Labonte and Earnhardt families have been able to produce multiple NASCAR drivers. The reason isn't that they have racing in the genes or they have the innate ability to drive a car better than 99 percent of the world's population. It all comes down to money and who has the dough to fund a racing team.

NASCAR is a private club run by rich men. Corporate sponsors are tagged all over cars, racetracks and even the drivers. Even the title they play for is a corporate sponsor. What used to be the Winton Cup is now the Nextel Cup. NASCAR is so corporately driven, it couldn't even put its foot down and name its championship after one of its legends. The races are just one big cocktail party for the moneymakers, and the drivers are just hurrying back to join the fun.




I once drove a car frm Camp Lejuene NC to Wayland Iowa in 14.5 hours, the majority of the time I was driving close to 130 MPH, I stopped to use the bathroom a few times and had to refuel the gas tank many times before it got to half empty (it was broke). And got pulled over by a cop in a camaro in Indiana because I tried to race him (not knowing he was a cop).. I then drove the speed limit the rest of the way through Indiana because I promised the cop I would when he let me off without even a written warning (I was in the Marine Corps).

LOL nascar... Sport... what a joke.

[Ghs]

Speaking of sport or not a sprt has anyone seen Chess Boxing?

In a chessboxing fight two opponents play alternating rounds of chess and boxing. The contest starts with a round of chess, followed by a boxing round, followed by another round of chess and so on. In every round of chess the FIDE rules for a "Blitz game" apply, in every boxing round amateur boxing rules apply with the following extensions and modifications: In a contest there shall be 11 rounds, 6 rounds of chess, 5 rounds of boxing. A round of chess takes 4 minutes. Each competitor has 12 minutes on the chess timer. As soon as the time runs out the game is over.

A round of boxing takes 2 minutes. Between rounds there is a 1 minute pause, during which competitors change their gear. The contest is decided by: checkmate (chess round), exceeding the time limit (chess round), retirement of an opponent (chess or boxing round), KO (boxing round), or referee decision (boxing round). If the chess game ends in a stalement, the opponent with the higher score in boxing wins. If there is an equal score, the opponent with the black pieces wins.

[manofmen]

Ya i saw that on Outside the Lines a few weeks ago it looks pretty tight...but the boxers don't look like they're the athletic though.

[cashpath]

Wow the things people think of....

I just want to point out that I don't have a problem with people liking Nascar... If you like it you like it, but just because you like it doesn't make it a sport.

I like playing video games, that doesn't make it a sport. Nobody WILL EVER convince me that NASCAR is a sport, but if you are going to try you better have done more driving at higher speeds than I have in my life, short of race car drivers thats gunna be hard to find.

[greatone18]

Well this spelling Bee isnt a sport. Just a bunch of smart kids spelling words I never heard of.

[DolphinsFanatic]

Well if you think being in a car that is over 100 degrees for 4 hours with no brake and being able to drive the car going 200 mph and shifiting gears and listining to you spoter and avoiding accidents all at the same time isnt physical then I dont know what to say. Not to mention the pit crews if that aint physical I dont know what is.

I have been around NASCAR all my life and I know the physical strain it has Ricky Rudd after winning a race back in 97 had to be carted to the hospital for serve burns and was passed out with heat exhaustion.

But anyways you are entitled to your opinon about NASCAR cash just as I am. But all I am saying is don't think I am loopy because I have seen the physical requirements of the sport first hand and believe me if you would go to just one race in person you would see it also.

But anyhow I think we can all agree that the Spelling Bee isnt a sport.

[cashpath]

You are Loopy.. Sitting in the desert playing Chess for 3 days straight and limiting your water intake would be physically taxing. That doesn't make it a sport. Just because these guys sit in hot cars and I already said in another thread that yes it takes endurance, that does NOT make nascar a sport.

Just like I don't think Horse racing is a sport... Oh its a sport for the horses, but not the people. Nascar is not a sport.

LOL you said that Nascar cars have no brakes.. Once again you show you are a fool when talking about something... No brakes.. HAHAHAHA Oh man didn't you say you were 20? Every time you talk I peg you as a 12-13 year old. NO BRAKES.. AH... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. Wow.. you been around Nascar all this time and I've never watched more than a crash.. And you think the cars don't have brakes. LOL HAHAHAHAHA OMG funny stuff..

If you are going to argue that you know so much about something don't turn around and show that you are really talking out your *** in the end. No Brakes.. HAHAHAHA. LOOPY... haha.. I can't stop laughin.. NO BRAKES!!! ???


NO BRAKES!!???!!!???

LOL hahaha

BURNT!

lol, sorry but Cash got you there DF

[cashpath]

You know another way you can tell its not a sport? Because THE ONLY PEOPLE who think it is a sport are the fans. I hate Hockey.. Despise it.. but its a sport.. A lot of people don't like Hockey but they won't tell you that it isn't a sport.

I hate baseball, but it is a sport.

But the only people who think Nascar is a sport are the people who like Nascar. Now that has to tell you something doesn't it? Listen you have a right to like it.. Just like some people like to watch poker tournaments. And you can enjoy it for what it is.

Just because it's not a sport doesn't make it anything less than what it is. It's just NOT A SPORT. There is no point in calling it a sport when it isn't a sport.

Its hard to call something a sport when anyone can do it (if they have enough money). If I had the money I could go train for a few months and be racing in Nascar and competing with the worlds best. But no matter how hard I train I will never be able to compete with professional football, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, players.

Its really hard to call something a sport when it is possible for a woman to compete against the best men in the world at it and win. If a woman can compete against the men who are the best at it and win, its not a sport.

And whether or not there are women in Nascar now, or women that compete with the big dogs, that doesn't matter, the point is that someday there will be. Women will never be able to beat men in any real sport.

lmao, yeah....I could just see some beefed up steroid chick with more facial hair then a Yeti in the national football league.

You have extremely valid points in that paragraph. I hate baseball but I know its a sport, I hate soccor but I know its a sport. NASCAR is only considered a sport to guys who like NASCAR.

Great point.

[titansrule]

Chessboxing...Holy **** I couldnt stop laughing reading it. The serious rules behind such a ridiculous game. Omd, thats funny. Having read it, Im highly considering challenging someone to a game.

[DolphinsFanatic]

First of I meant break not Brakes I am sure everyone here is guilty of a typo and seeing how I cant edit posts I couldnt go back and change it I realized I made that mistake after I posted. I know many people who hate NASCAR and still admit it is a sport. Why do you think ESPN still reffers to it as the as SPORT. But whatever I am not here to convince you I am just backing my opinion you have yours I have mine.

BTW, I think it is a bit sexist to say that women cant be as good as men in sports I saw a dateline report of a women DT that is coming up to get a scholorship with WVU so if she makes it to the big leagues does that make football any less of a sport.

Also the fact that you said NASCAR has women competing and winning shows your lack of knowledge in NASCAR as there are no women competeting and winning. Danica Patrick is in IRL but she hasent won. So is Tennis and Golf any less of a sport since there has been success of women beating men (ie Billy Jean King, and Annika S.) I have news it wont be long before big name sports becomes sexually integrated.

When you show me a 1st round pick QB woman, you can talk.

Woman CAN NOT play sports to the level of ability of a man. Its just impossible. Their body does not and will not support the levels of intensity that a mans body is. Period.

...and yes, Tennis and Golf are puss sports to me so your integrated crap doesn't work for me there.

[titansrule]

Omd, did you read his post? He specifically said "And whether or not there are women in Nascar now"...

And Poetic already answered the point about women not being as good as men. The strongest man is stronger than the strongest woman..Fact. Its not sexist.

Your point about ESPN...Arent you the one criticising it for calling a Spelling Bee a sport?

[cashpath]

BTW, I think it is a bit sexist to say that women cant be as good as men in sports I saw a dateline report of a women DT that is coming up to get a scholorship with WVU so if she makes it to the big leagues does that make football any less of a sport.

Sexist? Get real your an idiot... It's not sexist.. its realism dumbass. And in a second I'm going to show you why I'm pissed and you are getting banned.

Also the fact that you said NASCAR has women competing and winning shows your lack of knowledge in NASCAR as there are no women competeting and winning.

THIS IS WHAT I SAID **** HEAD

Its really hard to call something a sport when it is possible for a woman to compete against the best men in the world at it and win. If a woman can compete against the men who are the best at it and win, its not a sport.

And whether or not there are women in Nascar now, or women that compete with the big dogs, that doesn't matter, the point is that someday there will be. Women will never be able to beat men in any real sport.


I DON'T KNOW thats right because I don't watch **** going around and around in circles like a god damn dog, but I'm getting sick and tired of idiots coming here and saying I said **** I didn't say..

Been a while since I used Bertha but I'm tired of you..

GOOD BYE

[DolphinsFanatic]

I think the reason some people think that a woman's body cant handle it is because no women has really had the opportunity to try. This woman I am talking about that is a DT she has taken many brutal hits and got up and played even harder. I will admitt that they would have a physical disadvantage but I still think there will be a day soon in the furture were they will be competitive with men if society allows them to integrate. I have a female best friend that can hold her own against men I am sure there are alot of women out there that can as well.