20 Sep 04
Why is it that ,in general, the US don't compete in team sports against other countries? Is it because the country is so big that they don't consider it important to do so? Or is it because the American mentality of individuality (which I'm not knocking) makes playing for a teamless attractive? The US Ryder Cup team didn't seem to have the 'team spirit' of the Europeans.
21 Sep 04
Originally posted by ianpickeringAmerica is like a big family of roudy children; we like to fight (compete) among ourselves as it adds to rivalry, and two of our favorite pastimes, Football and Baseball, are not universally enjoyed by non-Americans...plus, we are so far from Europe/Asia distance-wise that it would be inconceivable to travel to so many games at such a great distance. We do compete with Canada (Montreal and Toronto) in baseball and hockey and with Mexico in soccer, but that's about it...good question though...
Why is it that ,in general, the US don't compete in team sports against other countries? Is it because the country is so big that they don't consider it important to do so? Or is it because the American mentality of individuality (which I'm not knocking) makes playing for a teamless attractive? The US Ryder Cup team didn't seem to have the 'team spirit' of the Europeans.
21 Sep 04
Originally posted by chancremechanicThe US competes with Israel at Basketball. I believe?
America is like a big family of roudy children; we like to fight (compete) among ourselves as it adds to rivalry, and two of our favorite pastimes, Football and Baseball, are not universally enjoyed by non-Americans...plus, we are so far from Europe/Asia distance-wise that it would be inconceivable to travel to so many games at such a great distance. ...[text shortened]... in baseball and hockey and with Mexico in soccer, but that's about it...good question though...
As for football...ahum....
It's AMERICAN RUGBY. That's what it is. So, let's make it clear. AMERICAN RUGBY. Not football. Football is kicking the ball and not using your hands. Rugby is picking the ball up and running with it.
AMERICAN RUGBY.
Thank you.
21 Sep 04
Originally posted by chancremechanicThe worlds not that big!! Many nations sport teams travel around the world to compete with other nations regularly.
America is like a big family of roudy children; we like to fight (compete) among ourselves as it adds to rivalry, and two of our favorite pastimes, Football and Baseball, are not universally enjoyed by non-Americans...plus, we are so far from Europe/Asia distance-wise that it would be inconceivable to travel to so many games at such a great distance. ...[text shortened]... in baseball and hockey and with Mexico in soccer, but that's about it...good question though...
Although maybe Americans think it is...... (never seem to meet that many on my travels)
21 Sep 04
Originally posted by ianpickeringThis is for two reasons, people playing for their country don't get paid for it and most american sportsmen will not do anything for free.
Why is it that ,in general, the US don't compete in team sports against other countries? Is it because the country is so big that they don't consider it important to do so? Or is it because the American mentality of individuality (which I'm not knocking) makes playing for a teamless attractive? The US Ryder Cup team didn't seem to have the 'team spirit' of the Europeans.
The other (main) reason is the lack of agreeement of the player's employers (ie the teams) to allow their players to play matches where they may get injured for no compensation.
European football clubs (the big 20) are also tired of this and are threatening to create their own league so as not to depend on national federations.
21 Sep 04
1 edit
Originally posted by chancremechanicMaybe the question needs to be reversed -why do countries other than the US feel the need to play others at team sports?
America is like a big family of roudy children; we like to fight (compete) among ourselves as it adds to rivalry, and two of our favorite pastimes, Football and Baseball, are not universally enjoyed by non-Americans...plus, we are s ...[text shortened]... h Mexico in soccer, but that's about it...good question though...
Do small countries need to make up for something? And yes, my country is a leading example..
21 Sep 04
Originally posted by shavixmirGrid Iron, mate. Grid Iron! It's nothing like Rugby, either.
The US competes with Israel at Basketball. I believe?
As for football...ahum....
It's AMERICAN RUGBY. That's what it is. So, let's make it clear. AMERICAN RUGBY. Not football. Football is kicking the ball and not using your hands. Rugby is picking the ball up and running with it.
AMERICAN RUGBY.
Thank you.
Incidentally, the only true code of footy is Rugby League, but let's not take the thread off topic. 😏
21 Sep 04
Originally posted by gumbieYour second point is a good one, although I find it depressing that players everyewhere are happier to play for cash than the excitement of international competition. In the case of football though, it's not true that the players don't get paid. And in England's case, there's no way in a million years that they'd play if they weren't. The Ryder Cup is pretty unique in that sense.
This is for two reasons, people playing for their country don't get paid for it and most american sportsmen will not do anything for free.
The other (main) reason is the lack of agreeement of the player's employers (ie the teams) to allow their players to play matches where they may get injured for no compensation.
European football clubs (the big 20 ...[text shortened]... this and are threatening to create their own league so as not to depend on national federations.
Rich.
21 Sep 04
1 edit
Originally posted by ianpickeringThe reason Americans don't compete with many countries in team sports is that they play different ones to everyone else - their enthusiasm for athletics, tennis etc show they have no issue competing abroad per se. The bigness and exceptionalism might be something to do with why they play American football and basketball rather than soccer or rugby. I think it's the same reason the Americans cling to the imperial system even more stubbornly than we do.
Why is it that ,in general, the US don't compete in team sports against other countries? Is it because the country is so big that they don't consider it important to do so? Or is it because the American mentality of individuality (wh ...[text shortened]... p team didn't seem to have the 'team spirit' of the Europeans.
21 Sep 04
Originally posted by shavixmirNo no no no no. There are various different sports played in different countries, all called 'football':
The US competes with Israel at Basketball. I believe?
As for football...ahum....
It's AMERICAN RUGBY. That's what it is. So, let's make it clear. AMERICAN RUGBY. Not football. Football is kicking the ball and not using your hands. Rugby is picking the ball up and running with it.
AMERICAN RUGBY.
Thank you.
Association (aka 'soccer'😉 football
Rugby football
American football
Gaelic football
Australian rules football
etc
It just happens that the first one is the most popular in this country (and most countries), so we just call it 'football'.
23 Sep 04
Ian's question IMO is quite flawed.
U.S. just got done playing in the World Cup of Hockey against other teams, lost to Finland but competed in a great game.
Did quite well in that last World Cup (that soccer/football version) if it weren't for Kahn having his best match of the tournament.
Last I checked the U.S. competes in every sport, except those (like handball, rugby) which aren't popular enough to generate good talent.
I fail to see where hte U.S. has chosen not to?
23 Sep 04
Originally posted by stammerHey, you've even got a cricket team now!
Ian's question IMO is quite flawed.
U.S. just got done playing in the World Cup of Hockey against other teams, lost to Finland but competed in a great game.
Did quite well in that last World Cup (that soccer/football version) if it weren't for Kahn having his best match of the tournament.
Last I checked the U.S. competes in every sport, except th ...[text shortened]... en't popular enough to generate good talent.
I fail to see where hte U.S. has chosen not to?
Although they are 1) made up of people born in the west indies and india/pakistan, 2) not very good.
23 Sep 04
Can I throw something out there for you folks to chew on? Have you ever wondered why sports like Soccer (football), Rugby, Hockey (in the South and Northwest), and others are not appreciated or followed by Americans? Or why things like football, basketball, college sports and (moronic) nascar racing are so big? I can only provide one explanation and that is that Americans only enjoy watching sports that Americans are good at. That has to be it! In such a rah-rah-rah-we're-number-one driven country, it's the answer that makes the most sense.
I think it's that plan and simple - Americans don't like watching non-Americans in sports. And a lot of sport-junky Americans don't like seeing their own lose so why would they tune in to the World Cup (Soccer or Hockey), F1 racing or something along those lines?
It's following the concept of the simplest answer is probably the most correct, if anyone can give me a better answer and back it up with facts I would love to hear it...