In the Race

Bowling is as much of a sport as darts, billards, texas hold'em and bocce ball.  I like bowling, but it's not a sport.  Not even close.    

Oh, Josh ... you've got me laughing (not at you  - with you, I think).

Okay, now we're talking about the National Federation of State High School Associations here.  And high school.  If you check out the Bowlwny link it's amazing how bowling is sweeping the country for the kids.

More of a "social" thing?  That's what I think.  But at least it is a physical thing that can get kids off their butts and doing something.

Off topic, but since you started it ... horseracing, NASCAR, etc. ... Sports in your view?  

What a timely topic.  My 6 year old just received an invitation yesterday to a birthday party for one of his buddies at a bowling alley.  This really is popular with the young kids.  We took our scout troop for a bowling/pizza party and they loved it!

I tend to classify anything that requires a coordination of physical and mental skill as a "sport".  Yes, I include horseracing and auto racing -- and bowling in that category.  Any sport can be played at either a competitive or a social level but I don't think the social aspect diqualifies it as a true sport.

Josh, you forgot synchronized swimming.

Horseracing and auto racing a sport?  Gimme a break.  Nascar drivers like Dick Trickle, for example, used to smoke cigarettes during caution flags.  Come on.  The only "athlete" on a horse racing track has four legs and a tail.  Both so called "sports" are primarily based on hand eye coordination.  So are we going to classify video game playing as a sport next?  As for bowling, I totally agree that it's a great activity for the kids (especial nowadays when kids aren't too interested in anything but the TV).  That beng said, walking 10 feet to throw a 15 Ib. ball 35 times won't even make you sweat.  Bowling is a fun "activity" for the whole family but calling the Pro Bowling Tour a professional "sport" is kind of like calling the players on the chess team, "athletes".  

Josh -

We agree!  Every word of it.

(Sorry about the NASCAR, Karn T : (

Kevin -  Back in the '60s I had a swimming instructor tell me I would be great at synchronized swimming . . . I'm still laughing ....

Esther Williams - athlete?

Synchronized swimming.....I've seen it on TV during the Olympics Kevin.  Boring as all get out but definately a sport!  My guess is that sychronized swimmers don't usually go and grab a couple pitchers of beer between routines like over at Red Carpet Lanes.    

They have great lungs . . .

NASCAR not a sport?  Come on they have teams, pit coaches, draw crowds in the hundreds of thousands and they have good looking drivers wearing "cute" uniforms that make WAY too much money for what they do.  

Sounds like a sport to me!

Maybe the pit crew running back and forth to the car . . .  That's exercise, Karen ...    :  )

 It's more of an "amusement," like the cute uniforms.

Did you play sports in high school?

Yep, Volleybal, softball, basketball...

Nascar belongs in the category of a "Motorsport" along with sailboat racing, speedboat racing, motorcycle racing, etc.  Man PLUS Machine.  It takes skill, endurance, ingenuity, strategy and GUTS.  I think it is a sport, but a Motorsport.