Are sports getting too soft?

[RandomGuy1030]

Like. Next thing you know getting hit by pitch in baseball will mean a free home run.

Yeah

I don't know maybe

[MuddyMole]

There are some things, like removing heading of the ball from football (soccer), that I would agree with, as there's now pretty clear evidence it can have quite severe long term consequences for the players' health. The increasingly strict concussion protocols seen in the NFL and other sports, would be another example.
With things like that, it's not even about the professional leagues (although I'm sure they're worried about being sued by players) - for every pro, there are many thousands of children and amateurs playing the sport, and it's not worth risking their health for something that is just a hobby to them.

On the other hand, I see a lot of sports where there seems to be a conscious effort to reduce physical contact, just to allow the big name players to show off their skill and make plays, because the leagues/governing bodies think it makes the game more entertaining (meaning more fans watching on tv and therefore more money) - quarterbacks and undersized receivers in the NFL get far more protection these days, as do finesse players and serial divers like Messi and Ronaldo in football. I don't agree with that - physicality should be part of the game (and the most blatant dives should get a straight red card).
Similarly, it seems that the governing bodies of some sports (eg. tennis) are unwilling to investigate/prosecute quite blatant cases of doping when it involves their biggest stars, for fear of the damage it will cause to the sport's reputation.

"Running up the score" is a uniquely American concept. Yes, there might be times when you want to rest a player coming back from injury or give a backup some game time, but generally speaking, the more soundly you can trounce the opponent, the better (in rugby for example, it's incentivized by the awarding of bonus points).

If you're talking about participation trophies at school sports day, I don't see that as much of a problem. For the less athletic kids, it might (?) make them feel better, and the kids who excel can always find a higher level at which to compete.

[ADAIsAnOkie1985]

I'm so passionately against this idea, it literally makes me sick to my stomach to think that we have played down what an amazing experience true competition can be. We celebrate mediocrity and teach our youth that displaying your best talents is unsportsmanlike, in fact we teach em that the better they are the less they will be accepted. I can't begin to understand this logic. It is a cowardly way to raise our children. Competition is human nature and when you do well you should be rewarded, when you perform mediocrity or less than you should work harder. We're gonna end up with a lazy, do-the- least to get by and criticize those that are better because they hurt your feelings generation soon. And this is not a " you have your feelings I have mine" type of situation... if you think it's OK to thwart greatness in exchange for the feelings of the mediocre then you're part of the reason that the human race has its best years behind it and that angers me to the core!

[Ms_Facesitter]

I don't know but I hate how soccer is soft, they act like they're dying. Why can't they just keep going until one of them actually trips or gets pushed over. If I played soccer I would do a cartoon wind up slowmo punch, the other player would still act like she's dying. I would put one foot on her stomach and raise my hands in triumph.

[whereismyjohnny]

Most of the players are simulating, trying to get a free kick 🥴 I think they should get cards for that too 😂 I like Haaland because of that, he is not acting like a baby, he just keeps going lol

[Ms_Facesitter]

@whereismyjohnny That is why I liked to see Messi play. It's like he goes in solo and just runs in a straight line, forcing others to make him fall, he legit gets tripped.

Meanwhile:

www.youtube.com/watch

[whereismyjohnny]

Oh, I remember this Immobile situation 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️ They should really start getting cards for things like that 😅

[Ms_Facesitter]

@whereismyjohnny I wish there was a wrestling referee that would appear as soon as it happened would go ' ONE, TWO, THREE! HE'S OUT! ' and the player would get removed from the field, unable to play for the remainder of the match.

[whereismyjohnny]

I like the idea of that! 😆 Maybe we could do that? 🤣

[Ms_Facesitter]

@whereismyjohnny Bet! Our coach will scold us, but it would be worth it.

[exitseven]

I think that some parents get too involved with youth sports. Everyone thinks their kid will get a scholarship or go to the pros. When I was a kid nobody played just one sport for 12 months out of the year. Now you see kids participating in sports in school and going to a separate clinic to train some more.

[EssenceOfLight]

Yes, we need to go lot of steps back for real entertainment.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/YD_7IbTGDIMhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/cFrCsT4VDCI

[BCRanger10]

A former coworker of mine told me that football used to be... a lot more vicious than it is now.

If what he said is true, I'd agree.

[Guy13]

Sports are a waste of time. Especially with dick-to-dress involved.

[hypojoe]

Use to be a football fan and now i can't stand to watch it at all thanks dick butkus

[genericname85]

sports are getting complete bullshit cause now men can compete in female sports.

[SmokyOne]

The world is getting to soft. at least the west.

[Exterminatore]

Yeah. Especially in hockey.

[Dinosaursandanime65]

I mean, is it really worth losing half your brain?

[Jltakk]

Yes. I've had this issue with Soccer, NFL and MLB.

[Iron_Man]

Yes they are