Baseball or Soccer?

[Rockvillejoe]

Foy my money, soccer is fast paced, intense, and the players not only have to have the fitness of a long distance runner, but the mental acuity of an advanced chess player, while sprinting for 90 minutes.

oh sure, baseball is a complex game. deep in nuance. the subtlties of playing left handed batters in certain defensive alignments, setting up batters for strikeouts, sending runners on 2-1 counts, etc., but it's just endless and chock full of commercials.

soccer is on the screen, constant, no commercial interruption for 90 plus minutes. and for those who say scoring is non existent, apply 7 points per goal instead of 1 and you get many 21-14 games. and it's not the goal, but the build up and strategy to put your team in position to score that is essential to the sport.

ok, enough. baseball or soccer?

[Furtherman]

You should have posted this on RonFez.uk

[TjM]

Baseball

[TripleSkeet]

Not even close.

[west milly Tom]

Soccer? Lol.

[JimBeam]

Sure soccer takes phyisical conditioning but that's the only thing physical about it.

If there's even a hint of contact in soccer somebody's getting a warning or some nonsense like that.

I think a 2nd baseman would love for the umpire to give a red card to a baserunner that's taking him out during a double play attempt.

Or a catcher would love for the runner to get one when he's being laid out.

Also in baseball players, except the DH, are expected to play both offense and defense.

Not the case in soccer as the defenders always remain on their side of the field.

[A.J.]

Cricket.

[absinthe]

Baseball in a landslide

[Marc with a c]

Sure soccer takes phyisical conditioning but that's the only thing physical about it.

If there's even a hint of contact in soccer somebody's getting a warning or some nonsense like that.

I think a 2nd baseman would love for the umpire to give a red card to a baserunner that's taking him out during a double play attempt.

Or a catcher would love for the runner to get one when he's being laid out.

Also in baseball players, except the DH, are expected to play both offense and defense.

Not the case in soccer as the defenders always remain on their side of the field.

there is so much more contact in soccer it isn't even close. watch inside the 18 next corner kick you see, or any 50/50 ball off a goal kick.

also defenders don't always stay on their side of the field. it isn't lacrosse.

[Snoogans]

College Football

[Donnie Iris]

Soccer in a landslide for me.

I also live in Pittsburgh.

[Rockvillejoe]

Marc u nailed it. Elbows, knees, hips, all subtly and not so subtly being thrown with reckless abandon. Jumping up for headers is potentially tooth loosening as well as concussions. Short of the 2nd base take out and home plate blocking, baseball is essentially a non contact sport. And, half the guys lumbering from 1st to 3rd are sucking wind. A goodref will not blow his whistle unless it's absolutely warranted. To keep the game flowing. Another reason why soccer, if understood, is far more entertaining. At least to me.

[epo]

Sure soccer takes phyisical conditioning but that's the only thing physical about it.

If there's even a hint of contact in soccer somebody's getting a warning or some nonsense like that.

I think a 2nd baseman would love for the umpire to give a red card to a baserunner that's taking him out during a double play attempt.

Or a catcher would love for the runner to get one when he's being laid out.

Also in baseball players, except the DH, are expected to play both offense and defense.

Not the case in soccer as the defenders always remain on their side of the field.

Never played soccer, huh?

[NickyL0885]

Hmmm tough one. I love both sports but Baseball is number one for me. Although with the way the Mets are going these days, that could change.

[JimBeam]

there is so much more contact in soccer it isn't even close.

Do they ever come into contact w/ a 98 MPH hardball ?

I'm not talking about 2 guys weighting 150 lbs bumping into each other.

I'm talking about 2 guys 210 colliding at homeplate.

[Marc with a c]

Never played soccer, huh?

or baseball?

[sailor]

there is so much more contact in soccer it isn't even close. watch inside the 18 next corner kick you see, or any 50/50 ball off a goal kick.

also defenders don't always stay on their side of the field. it isn't lacrosse.

career change?

i voted both.

[Snoogans]

Do they ever come into contact w/ a 98 MPH hardball ?

I'm not talking about 2 guys weighting 150 lbs bumping into each other.

I'm talking about 2 guys 210 colliding at homeplate.

How often do guys collide at homeplate in baseball? Almost never. 100 times a game guys get laid out on a soccer field, legs taken out from under then, tons of shit.

I voted for baseball but you are RETARDED if you think its more physical than soccer

[JimBeam]

Almost never a collison at homeplate ?

There are other games out there besides the Met and Yankee highlights we might see.

How many times do guys get taken out w/ double plays ?

Think that happens much ?

The way I'd look at it is the best athlete in baseball could probably be very good in soccer ( not saying the best ).

The best soccer player probably couldn't play above AA ball at best.

I have no scientific proof but it's my hunch.

[Snoogans]

Almost never a collison at homeplate ?

There are other games out there besides the Met and Yankee highlights we might see.

How many times do guys get taken out w/ double plays ?

Think that happens much ?

The way I'd look at it is the best athlete in baseball could probably be very good in soccer ( not saying the best ).

The best soccer player probably couldn't play above AA ball at best.

I have no scientific proof but it's my hunch.
have you ever seen a slide tackle dummy? Its way for physical than most break up a double play at second base. AND THERE IS CONTACT CONSTANTLY IN SOCCER. Its not like baseball where its for 1 second every 20 minutes MAYBE.

You are INSANE, and most baseball players could NEVER run that much

[mendyweiss]

Soccer question
How much does it cost to attend a premier league game ? Is it like going to a yankee game ?
These transfer fees for some of these players are insane. Where is all this money coming from ?

[sailor]

Soccer question
How much does it cost to attend a premier league game ? Is it like going to a yankee game ?
These transfer fees for some of these players are insane. Where is all this money coming from ?

i just checked manu's web site (figured theirs would be amongst the most pricey) and top ticket price is under $100. plus, the majority of their stadia would be smaller than in baseball, plus less games.

[Snoogans]

i just checked manu's web site (figured theirs would be amongst the most pricey) and top ticket price is under $100. plus, the majority of their stadia would be smaller than in baseball, plus less games.

most of the money comes from ads. The price of ads is alot more than it is for commercials here because of how many more people watch worldwide. Also they sell alot more space to ads, including the jersey.

And yea some are small, but some of those stadiums hold 100,000 people too

[JimBeam]

Here's one thing for you to remember.

Women and men both play soccer. Same game, same rules ( as far as I know ).

Women don't play baseball.

Also in soccer there are times, regardless of how often they are called, when somebody gets a talking to because they bumped another player.

There are no such scoldings in baseball. Well except for when take a chance at injuring/killing a guy by throwing a ball at him.

[Rockvillejoe]

Different skill set for each. The point re 150 lb soccer vs 210 baseballer is invalid. The 210 baseball would be 175 if in soccer condition. Look at chelseas drogba. MU's rooney, even USA national team player, central defender ogunyawi aka gooch

Great point re 100 mph fastball. But don't forget the 65-70 mph soccer shot AT the goalie, point blank, 5 yards away. And he is paid to actually give up his body to block it.
That's a ball 20 times larger. Goalies are a different breed.

Re injuries, concussions are unfortunately commonplace.
ask eskadsrian or brian mcbride. Mcbride has steel plates in his head.

Re point about the superior athlete. All I can tell you on a youth level, 18 and below, the far better athlete played soccer over baseball. Basketball got the best athlete. Football the biggest and strongest.

Baseball is great. Going Friday night nats v Rockies (I think).

But tonight, will be rocking with DC United. It's a party.

[Donnie Iris]

Almost never a collison at homeplate ?

There are other games out there besides the Met and Yankee highlights we might see.

How many times do guys get taken out w/ double plays ?

Think that happens much ?

The way I'd look at it is the best athlete in baseball could probably be very good in soccer ( not saying the best ).

The best soccer player probably couldn't play above AA ball at best.

I have no scientific proof but it's my hunch.




This could not be further from the truth. If you're going on pure atheltic ability, soccer has to be light years in front of soccer. Baseball players would never, ever be able to hang in high quality football. There may be some truth to the best soccer players not cracking the big leagues, but their chances would be infinitely better than any baseball players in soccer. I can't see one baseball player hanging on even a D-II college team.

Also, baseball is not a contact sport. There are accidental bumps once a month at best.

[Snoogans]

Here's one thing for you to remember.

Women and men both play soccer. Same game, same rules ( as far as I know ).

Women don't play baseball.

Also in soccer there are times, regardless of how often they are called, when somebody gets a talking to because they bumped another player.

There are no such scoldings in baseball. Well except for when take a chance at injuring/killing a guy by throwing a ball at him.

The pro women's baseball league would be so disappointed to read this. I think they are called the Silver Bullets, the one team.

And if you ever bothered to watch a soccer game, its alot more than bumping. Guys literally get TAKEN out. Guys get kicked in all parts of their body, head butted, elbows, knees. You have NO FUCKIN IDEA what you are talking about.

And this is coming from a guy who prefers BASEBALL over SOCCER and I played baseball for 14 years. Trust me when I tell you you are SO FUCKIN WRONG

[Donnie Iris]

Here's one thing for you to remember.

Women and men both play soccer. Same game, same rules ( as far as I know ).

Women don't play baseball.

Also in soccer there are times, regardless of how often they are called, when somebody gets a talking to because they bumped another player.

There are no such scoldings in baseball. Well except for when take a chance at injuring/killing a guy by throwing a ball at him.

Women do play baseball and softball which is essentially the same thing. The equipment is different in women's soccer (smaller ball) similar to softball.

I don't follow your point regarding the refs giving cards. If you're going to compare the pace of a soccer game to that of baseball... Well I think you know the answer there.

[Donnie Iris]

The pro women's baseball league would be so disappointed to read this. I think they are called the Silver Bullets, the one team.

And if you ever bothered to watch a soccer game, its alot more than bumping. Guys literally get TAKEN out. Guys get kicked in all parts of their body, head butted, elbows, knees. You have NO FUCKIN IDEA what you are talking about.

And this is coming from a guy who prefers BASEBALL over SOCCER and I played baseball for 14 years. Trust me when I tell you you are SO FUCKIN WRONG

Well put.

[brettmojo]

Soccer Donnie Iris (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/member.php?u=35359), hammersavage (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/member.php?u=1108), ihaveabadmonkey (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/member.php?u=19510), Marc with a c (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/member.php?u=112), Rockvillejoe (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/member.php?u=17437), sailor (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/member.php?u=24250), yojimbo7248 (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/member.php?u=33947)


Socialist liberal America haters.

[TheMojoPin]

The pro women's baseball league would be so disappointed to read this. I think they are called the Silver Bullets, the one team.

And if you ever bothered to watch a soccer game, its alot more than bumping. Guys literally get TAKEN out. Guys get kicked in all parts of their body, head butted, elbows, knees. You have NO FUCKIN IDEA what you are talking about.

And this is coming from a guy who prefers BASEBALL over SOCCER and I played baseball for 14 years. Trust me when I tell you you are SO FUCKIN WRONG

Pretty much. I love baseball with everything I have but I think it's ridiculous to think that baseball is more physical than soccer or that baseball players are more athletic than soccer players. I think soccer players are easily the most athletic athletes out of the major sports.

[Crossweird]

i just checked manu's web site (figured theirs would be amongst the most pricey) and top ticket price is under $100. plus, the majority of their stadia would be smaller than in baseball, plus less games.

Time out.

Stadia. Sailor rules.

Time in.

[Snoogans]

and to be fair, and this has been reaffirmed to me by watching shaq vs, most of these pro athletes in all sports are such amazing athletes that they woulda been amazing in whatever sport they chose to focus on. Its the same when people say would bron be a great WR. ABSOLUTELY HE FUCKIN WOULD. We arent sayin if he just does it now, but if he chose that. he would be unstoppable.

Look at Jozy Altidore. Bill Simmons even wrote about the same thing. He is an athletic freak and no matter what he chose, he would be nasty. Thats just how these guys are.

[JimBeam]

There may be some truth to the best soccer players not cracking the big leagues, but their chances would be infinitely better than any baseball players in soccer.

Hitting a major league baseball/curveball is by almost everybody's standards the single hardest thing to do in any sport.

Kicking a ball into a net 40+ feet wide, regardless of how many 5'2" and 150 lbs guys are chasing you, doesn't even compare.

Snoogans why did I think you would mention something like the Silver Bullets ?

I guess I hoped you wouldn't try and be that trivial.

I saw Oil Can Boy, 6 years removed from professional baseball, beat that team w/ 8 other guys that might not have ever even made it to the majors.

Some circus sideshow traveling from town to town doesn't constitute women actually " playing " baseball.

I can't see one baseball player hanging on even a D-II college team.

I hate to bring football into the argument, and I mean good old American, 1st world football, but there are dozens if not 100s of guys that played both D1 football and baseball and if they can play football they can sure as hell play soccer.

[Snoogans]

I hate to bring football into the argument, and I mean good old American, 1st world football, but there are dozens if not 100s of guys that played both D1 football and baseball and if they can play football they can sure as hell play soccer.

you are the dumbest person I have ever seen. Have you ever watched an avg football player try to kick a FG? Have you yourself ever tried to kick a soccer ball and have it intentionally go to a certain spot or move a certain amount?
You are probably one of the same jack asses that says that golf isnt hard and that you dont have to be an athlete to be good at it. You really are making yourself sound retarded right now, bro.

Stop being a jackass and just admit when you are wrong.

[JimBeam]

Women do play baseball and softball which is essentially the same thing. The equipment is different in women's soccer (smaller ball) similar to softball.

I don't follow your point regarding the refs giving cards. If you're going to compare the pace of a soccer game to that of baseball... Well I think you know the answer there.

Softball ? Are you kidding me ?

That's a recreation game and while it is played at high levels it is in no way even a pale comparison to baseball, at any level.

I wasn't refering to the pace of the game being slowed down by penalties/cards I was emphasizing the fact that there are actually times when people get " in trouble " for doing something " too physical " and that there's no comparison in baseball.

[TheMojoPin]

Please reign in that furious Asian temper there, Kamikaze.

[Marc with a c]

there are dozens if not 100s of guys that played both D1 football and baseball and if they can play football they can sure as hell play soccer.

no fucking chance jimbo. soccer takes a world more of skill to play than football.

[spoon]

Pretty much. I love baseball with everything I have but I think it's ridiculous to think that baseball is more physical than soccer or that baseball players are more athletic than soccer players. I think soccer players are easily the most athletic athletes out of the major sports.

Baseball in a landslide, but soccer is more physical and boring (tough to do). However, soccer players may be in great shape/long distance runners kicking a ball, but fuck the notion they are the most athletic in major sports. Sure some are probably very good, usually the forwards/strikers, but no way in hell can you just slip that in and make it fact.

[Marc with a c]

However, soccer players may be in great shape/long distance runners kicking a ball, but fuck the notion they are the most athletic in major sports. Sure some are probably very good, usually the forwards/strikers, but no way in hell can you just slip that in and make it fact.

most of the sports we watch are hand eye coordination based, to be able to do what those elite soccers players do with their feet is unreal. being able to kick a ball almost exactly where you want in forty yards away with accuracy close to a quarterback throwing one forty yards is insane. i'm not sure they are the best athletes in the world, but they definitely deserve to be in the conversation.

[JimBeam]

Snoogans I love when you get your little panties in a bunch. It's great to read.

By last count, and stop me if I go to fast, there were 17 votes that sgreed with me and 7 with you.

Soooooooooooooooooo should the other 16 of the voters admit when they were wrong because YOU said so ?

No disrespect to any of the others who disagree w/ me because obvioulsy that's why the thread was started but outside of Snoogans nobody else has asked for an unconditional surrender despite being out voted MORE than 2 to 1.

Have you ever watched an avg football player try to kick a FG?

So what you're saying is that if Randy Moss wanted to try and kick a football, and even put more than 2 days into it, he couldn't be good if not better than average ?

Darren Erstadt, who was not even a great Major Leaguer, was an All American in college football and baseball.

How many goalies would even put the ball in play against a Josh Beckett, Mariano Rivera, etc ..

I've seen them take accontants out of the stands and have them kick 25 yard FGs.

I've yet to see them have somebody hit safely against a 95 MPH fastball.

I think soccer players are easily the most athletic athletes out of the major sports.

Mojo I disagree w/ you here, but not for baseball, but for hockey.

Now I've never played hockey myself but from what I know about it, I tend to believe it's harder to stay up on skates, while 6'4"/200+ pound guys try to slam you into the boards before you can shoot a puck into a net w/ a dude in 100 pounds of gear trying to block it.

But that takes us off the baseball/soccer topic.

[TheMojoPin]

Baseball in a landslide, but soccer is more physical and boring (tough to do). However, soccer players may be in great shape/long distance runners kicking a ball, but fuck the notion they are the most athletic in major sports. Sure some are probably very good, usually the forwards/strikers, but no way in hell can you just slip that in and make it fact.

I didn't say it was a fact, foo'. I just think that their endurance and conditioning level is higher than athletes in other major sports due to the nature of a soccer game.

[JimBeam]

Wow look at that.

2 more votes for baseball.

Pretty soon it'll be a 3 to 1 majority.

Man I really wish the posters would just agree w/ Snoogans because he's always right and because hey he's good at name calling.

[sailor]

Softball ? Are you kidding me ?

That's a recreation game and while it is played at high levels it is in no way even a pale comparison to baseball, at any level.

I wasn't refering to the pace of the game being slowed down by penalties/cards I was emphasizing the fact that there are actually times when people get " in trouble " for doing something " too physical " and that there's no comparison in baseball.

um, in "good old American, 1st world football" people get "in trouble" for doing something "too physical" as well. know what that proves? it proves both are physical sports where contact is acceptable, yet must still be reigned in.

[JimBeam]

Sailor, my " warnings " point was more to the baseball/soccer topic.

[spoon]

I didn't say it was a fact, foo'. I just think that their endurance and conditioning level is higher than athletes in other major sports due to the nature of a soccer game.

Now ur black too?! Fag.

[TheMojoPin]

Mojo I disagree w/ you here, but not for baseball, but for hockey.

Now I've never played hockey myself but from what I know about it, I tend to believe it's harder to stay up on skates, while 6'4"/200+ pound guys try to slam you into the boards before you can shoot a puck into a net w/ a dude in 100 pounds of gear trying to block it.

But that takes us off the baseball/soccer topic.

You're mixing skills and physical endurance. I'm talking about just the level of shape and conditioning soccer players have to be in. I'm not comparing kicking a ball into a goal to hitting a baseball or hitting a puck into a goal. I'm just talking about the necessary physical fitness to be able to play the sport game after game. I think ultimately soccer trumps it due to those guys basically constantly being in motion, the nature of the game and the size of the field. Football players are in amazing shape, but the game and their training is focused on short, sudden burts of action and then pauses. Same with baseball. Hockey guys are in motion, but they can leave so much of that up to the skates and ice as opposed to have to actually run up and down the field. Soccer players simply have to be in the best all around shape in terms of speed and strength.

[sailor]

Sailor, my " warnings " point was more to the baseball/soccer topic.

yes, and by bringing in football i showed it was a silly argument.

[TheMojoPin]

Now ur black too?! Fag.

OK, 13-year-old girl.

[IMSlacker]

Baseball.

Why would anyone base your vote on which sport requires the better conditioning?

[spoon]

Jim, I believe Baseball is winning a vote based on which sport one would prefer, not based on which is more physical. If that was the vote, you'd lose.

[Snoogans]

Snoogans I love when you get your little panties in a bunch. It's great to read.

By last count, and stop me if I go to fast, there were 17 votes that sgreed with me and 7 with you.

Soooooooooooooooooo should the other 16 of the voters admit when they were wrong because YOU said so ?



Bro, seriously, maybe you should read all of what I said to you. I VOTED FOR BASEBALL. I PREFER THE GAME OF BASEBALL. You are just wrong if you think baseball is a more PHYSICAL game.

I voted along with you, which I had already said, which makes you look even dumber. Go away now, Im finished with you

[spoon]

OK, 13-year-old girl.

I knew it.

[JimBeam]

Why ?

The point was that you don't get warnings in baseball and you do in soccer.

Just because you also get warnings in football doesn't then make soccer better than all 3 sports.

What kinda logic is that ?

The football point was mentioned to counter Donnie's notion that baseball players couldn't play DII soccer.

It was off point but my counter was that they can play D1 football so I'd bet if they wanted to they could play DII soccer to some degree.

[Snoogans]

Why ?

The point was that you don't get warnings in baseball and you do in soccer.

Just because you also get warnings in football doesn't then make soccer better than all 3 sports.

What kinda logic is that ?

The football point was mentioned to counter Donnie's notion that baseball players couldn't play DII soccer.

It was off point but my counter was that they can play D1 football so I'd bet if they wanted to they could play DII soccer to some degree.

WE ARENT SAYING SOCCER IS BETTER. JUST MORE PHYSICAL IN THE GAME. STOP BEING A MORON JUST TO FIGHT WITH PEOPLE. YOU CANT BE THAT BLIND

[sailor]

Why ?

The point was that you don't get warnings in baseball and you do in soccer.

Just because you also get warnings in football doesn't then make soccer better than all 3 sports.

What kinda logic is that ?

you're all over the place, but i'll walk you thru it. what is your point regarding soccer/baseball and warnings? that baseball is more physical because there are no warnings. ok, now we bring football in and there are warnings there as well. using your line of reasoning, baseball would be more physical than football. you can see that is absurd and therefore the warnings argument is not a valid one.

[JimBeam]

I'm not " fighting " with anybody, not even you because I know your name calling is based on some pent up rage about some girl dumping you or something one time, so I'm not bothered by it. We have the same discussions in the college football thread so it is what it is.

But actually Rockville's initial post doesn't actually say what we were voting for.

It doesn't say vote for which one you like better but it actually doesn't say which one os more physical either.

He first mentioned that skill of a soccer player trying to score ( which would lead me to believe the discussion was more along the line of harder/more physical ) but then he goes into the pace of it and scoring which would seem to be what would you rather sit and watch.

[lleeder]

you're all over the place, but i'll walk you thru it. what is your point regarding soccer/baseball and warnings? that baseball is more physical because there are no warnings. ok, now we bring football in and there are warnings there as well. using your line of reasoning, baseball would be more physical than football. you can see that is absurd and therefore the warnings argument is not a valid one.

messageboard posting is the most physical then

no warnings

:banning:

[IMSlacker]

But actually Rockville's initial post doesn't actually say what we were voting for.

And, it's multiple choice, you can vote for both.

[Snoogans]

I'm not " fighting " with anybody, not even you because I know your name calling is based on some pent up rage about some girl dumping you or something one time, so I'm not bothered by it. We have the same discussions in the college football thread so it is what it is.

But actually Rockville's initial post doesn't actually say what we were voting for.

It doesn't say vote for which one you like better but it actually doesn't say which one os more physical either.

He first mentioned that skill of a soccer player trying to score ( which would lead me to believe the discussion was more along the line of harder/more physical ) but then he goes into the pace of it and scoring which would seem to be what would you rather sit and watch.
way to be passive aggressive. My name calling was to a person who was too blind to read everything i said, therefore tryin to give me shit for something I already told him WASNT the case.

Also, Im tryin to help you see the errors of your ways. You need some assistance.


and Rutgers will win the Big East. And FUCK MARYLAND

[JimBeam]

you're all over the place, but i'll walk you thru it. what is your point regarding soccer/baseball and warnings? that baseball is more physical because there are no warnings. ok, now we bring football in and there are warnings there as well. using your line of reasoning, baseball would be more physical than football. you can see that is absurd and therefore the warnings argument is not a valid one.

I've had about 20 posts in this thread so take out the last line in the first one where I mention the college football and you'll see that my point was that people violently run into each other, on purpose in baseball ( much more often than a few seem to think ), and the umpire doesn't make a guy come out of the lineup for an inning or 2 because of it.

He's free to come back and do the same thing the next time he gets the chance.

Not the case, in the little I've seen/heard about, in soccer. Also not to say that collisions don't happen in soccer but clearly they are frowned upon to some degree if there are even penalties.

[JimBeam]

and Rutgers will win the Big East. And FUCK MARYLAND

I can split the difference w/ you here.

I'm indifferent to who wins the Big East but I'm also not a fan of Maryland.

Now if we want to discuss if you think the winner of the Big East should/play for a national title I think we'd have to move over the the college football thread.

[Section 8]

Baseball... Hands down... More cerebral game, with many more variables that have to be considered on each pitch.

And you do get warnings in baseball if you're a pitcher and you're throwing at someone. You can also get thrown out of a game for 1 instance of throwing at someone, there's no yellow cards or whatever.

And who ever brought up goalies taking an air-filled soccer ball hit at 75mph from 5 yards away, big deal. They defend, at most 20 shots or so a game? A catcher sits in a crouch position for 9 innings, taking over 100 pitches that are routinely 85 to 100 mph from roughly 55 feet (when you consider the pitchers stride in toward the plate) with a ball that is made of rubber and tightly wound yarn under horsehide.

I'd rather take a shot to the head from the soccer ball than the baseball.

[Snoogans]

I can split the difference w/ you here.

I'm indifferent to who wins the Big East but I'm also not a fan of Maryland.

Now if we want to discuss if you think the winner of the Big East should/play for a national title I think we'd have to move over the the college football thread.

you can move it there, but its pretty easy to say NO.

Now if some things break and some big east teams upset others in the few tough out of conference games, then maybe

[JimBeam]

I have a buddy that did an early version of the Pros Versus Joes theme called " I'd Do Anything " on ESPN.

One of the things he had to do was get in a soccer net, w/ a helmet/camera on, and some professional soccer team constantly kicked 120 balls at him. The guy who allowed the fewest goals won.

It wasn't the full net either. It was slimmed down to be maybe 5 or 6 feet wide.

That did not look like fun.

[TheMojoPin]

There are warnings and "penalties" in baseball.

[JimBeam]

There are warnings and "penalties" in baseball.

The only one I can think of is throwing at a batter and I mentioned that as being the only one when I went down that road.

And the only reason you get warned for that is because you can kill somebody.

[TheMojoPin]

The only one I can think of is throwing at a batter and I mentioned that as being the only one when I went down that road.

And the only reason you get warned for that is because you can kill somebody.

You can be tossed or draw an out depending on the slide.

[tanless1]

but the mental acuity of an advanced chess player

overstated, me thinks.

i dont watch either one. but sitting back listening to a decent announcer, the crack of the bat.... a nice day.
ill sell sweet treats at either, as thats what gets me to most events.
i have noticed that minor league ball parks tend to be more predatory toward vendors in using false/inflated numbers and cripiling percentages.

[Snoogans]

You can be tossed or draw an out depending on the slide.

Imagine if you blatently headbutted someone in a baseball game. You think you would be allowed to play again a month later? FUCK NO.

[Snoogans]

overstated, me thinks.

i dont watch either one. but sitting back listening to a decent announcer, the crack of the bat.... a nice day.
ill sell sweet treats at either, as thats what gets me to most events.
i have noticed that minor league ball parks tend to be more predatory toward vendors in using false/inflated numbers and cripiling percentages.

agreed. Chess is one of the toughest mental games. Guys heads are so far ahead of where they are in the game once they are really good at it. Its incredible

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Soccer Refs are more athletic than Baseball players


that being said, America will NEVER like Soccer, it stinks and I don't like it

[Snoogans]

Soccer Refs are more athletic than Baseball players


that being said, America will NEVER like Soccer, it stinks and I don't like it

I gotta disagree man. Its getting bigger and bigger and the better the US gets, the more it will grow. Altidore can be a big help in growing it too.

Plus our ever growing ADD will make us lean toward soccer

[JimBeam]

Sure soccer takes phyisical conditioning but that's the only thing physical about it.

I actually undersold the compliment I was paying soccer here.

I do agree that from a constant running, no time outs stand point that soccer is more demanding.

But my overall belief is that the shortstop of a baseball team in a 10-11 score ,nine inning game, is going to have more of a grueling day than a soccer player.

I'm not sure how often they lay soccer games but the SS could be doing the above 6 out of 7 days for 6 months.

[brettmojo]

Plus our ever growing ADD will make us lean toward soccer
How?

Watching it is almost as torturous as watching golf and only slightly more boring than watching hockey.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

you and Randy should be BFFs, he loves Soccer and continues to talk about it, wen I show no interest

Soccer players are in awesome shape, like the no commercial idea, but the field is too big, there not much scoring, It just doesnt do anything for me


most of the US feels the way I do, I'm Jeff 6 Pack

[spoon]

Soccer grows as the population dynamics of the US changes. I highly doubt people set on the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL will change their loves based on the US doing better. Not to mention we keep getting better for the same reason.

[Donnie Iris]

I actually undersold the compliment I was paying soccer here.

I do agree that from a constant running, no time outs stand point that soccer is more demanding.

But my overall belief is that the shortstop of a baseball team in a 10-11 score ,nine inning game, is going to have more of a grueling day than a soccer player.

I'm not sure how often they lay soccer games but the SS could be doing the above 6 out of 7 days for 6 months.

This is so incredibly false. Also, going back a bit, the notion that footabll players would more easily assimilate to soccer rather than the other way around is just entirely wrong.

It's one thing to like one sport more than the other. It's another to be entirely ignorant of one.

[NickyL0885]

Soccer players have to be in such great shape. Take a team like Man U. They start there 38 game season in august. But they also played in 3 others tournaments during the year. Their regular season ends around the beginning of May. But if they were to reach the UEFA Champions League Final, they play into later May. So after that, they get maybe a few weeks to rest up in june before hitting the gym and training again for the season that starts in 2 months. Baseball, i get that they play a long schedule, but they get way more time to rest.

If David Wright wanted to let loose after the season and gain 30lbs, he can. He has time to work it off. Wayne Rooney on the other hand, can't. He has to stay in top shape all year round.

Also, soccer is way more physical. When a guy is running full speed and gets bump or a bit tripped up, he hits the ground hard.

Also, unlike baseball, football or any of the other sports, with soccer you know what your get. A quick brisk 2 hour game and its over. Baseball, football etc. games these days can last up to 4 hours. Its killer.

[Gvac]

I'm sure the average European finds baseball as boring as the average American finds soccer.

I appreciate soccer because I'm a hockey fanatic, and it's very similar as far as setting up plays, passing, etc.

I'll never love it as much as the sport I was raised watching and playing, though.

[DolaMight]

if people could get over the low scoring and learn to appreciate the midfield game of soccer they would enjoy it. it's hard get it but just getting a ball into scoring position/range is as big a deal as a run/3/goal/touchdown in N American sports.

[IMSlacker]

I find all this praise for the fitness of soccer players a bit fey.

The fact that a guy like John Kruk can excel at baseball is a big reason for it being the greatest sport in the world.

[dino_electropolis]

Never seen a baseball game end in a tie.

[NickyL0885]

Never seen a baseball game end in a tie.


cept. the All Star Game in Milwaukee

[Gvac]

Never seen a baseball game end in a tie.

Missed the 2002 All-Star game, didja?

[spoon]

Never seen a baseball game end in a tie.

So you missed that all-star game?

[dino_electropolis]

cept. the All Star Game in Milwaukee

Missed the 2002 All-Star game, didja?

So you missed that all-star game?

Wow, the 3 of you jumped all over that.


I meant an actual game...not some bullshit all star game.

And yes i did see it and died a little bit at the end

[spoon]

seriously, we're like sharks in here!

watch urself!

[IamFogHat]

Did you conveniently post this a few weeks after Ronnie B showed some interest in soccer to somehow show you are both at the cool table and also not influenced by what he says? Poser.

[Dan G]

I grew up being a soccer fan. The Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL were my hometown team and I attended many of their games. When the league folded in 1984 I moved onto baseball.

I started collecting cards in 1984 at the age of 10. My Sunday paper would have baseball TV listings for the week, so I would cut that part out and post it on my bulletin board each week and watch virtually every game that aired on WOR, WGN, TBS, and ESPN.

In the mid 90's I got a job with a minor league team and got to know many players. Several major league players golfed at the course in my neighborhood and I got to know them as well.

I was a huge autograph collector and acquired over a 1,000, all in person on cards and/or photos.

In 1994 when the World Cup was in the US, soccer became interesting to me again. I put baseball on the back burner and watched as many World Cup games that I could.

Baseball was my number 1 sport at this time, but every 4 years I looked forward to the World Cup.

In 2005, I was growing tired of baseball and all the steroid talk. I was watching less and less games.

In 2006 the World Cup was on and once again I was glued. When the Cup ended I discovered Fox Soccer Channel and suddenly soccer became the only sport that followed.

I have completely given up on baseball and now look forward to being up at 7:45am on Saturday mornings to watch the first of many soccer games that day.

To make this full circle, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are returning in 2010, joining the USL.

[jauble]

The point was that you don't get warnings in baseball and you do in soccer.

People get tossed and fined for arguing balls and strikes.