What is a Sport?

The common argument on what is considered a sport is one that is very difficult to answer. There are many deciding factors in this and most of them are opinion based. For example, what factors of an activity are required to deem something a sport? Is there a certain level of competition required? Does there have to be a winner or a loser? Does a sport require a certain level of physical activity or could it be completely mental like a spelling bee? The definition of what is, and is not a sport is a very vague topic and is very much up for debate.

            When it comes down to what is or is not a sport, the level of physical activity is very much a topic up for debate. One would argue that that a sport requires a sport to have vigorous level of activity such as football, hockey, wrestling, etc. This idea would suggest that activities such as golf, bowling, and ping pong are not sports. Most would agree that this idea is indeed false. I would purpose that a sport does have to have some level of physical activity but it does not by any means have to be vigorous. Sports such as baseball and hockey do not have the same level activity but are both definitely sports, therefore this disproves the previous idea. Not only is there a debate on if a sport requires a certain level of physical activity, but there is also the argument of if there has to be a winner or loser.

            The argument on whether or not there has to be a winner or loser in a sport is very simple. Having a winner and a loser in a sport is not always accurate because this would suggest that there is always an opponent. This would suggest that lifting and activities in which you strive to beat your own records are not sports. This is very much false because the competitive portion is still there. Therefore, a sport does not require an opposition, but must maintain the competitive aspect even if the individual athlete is not participating in a competitive manner. The idea that a sport is required to have some competitive aspect to it does indeed complicate things. That would suggest that activities such as video gaming, chess, etc. are all sports although they do not have a high level of physical activity. This leads into the next argument in which whether or not a sport can be mental.

            The argument of whether or not a sport can be a mental is very interesting. Obviously all sports, no matter how simple, require some level of mental capacity along with physical ability. But is it possible for a sport to be 95 percent mental like in a game of chess, or in video gaming. Obviously they require some level of hand-eye coordination, but are they sports? Based on our previous argument in which if a sport has to be somewhat physical, would disprove this. But the other argument suggesting that there has to be a competitive edge would support this. This makes it very tricky. Where do we draw the line of physical activity that is required to be a sport? This will remain unknown, but I will stick to my guns and support the argument that chess and games of the like are indeed not sports because of their lack of physical activity although an immense amount of skill is involved. Determining what is and is not a sport is a very tricky subject and will most likely be argued for years to come. 

"Deflategate"

As of Monday, May 11, 2015, the "Deflategate" saga continued as Tom Brady was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season. The NFL took it upon themselves to levy a ludicrously uncalled for penalty suspending Tom Brady for four games, fining the Patriots $1 million dollars, and costing them their 2016 first round draft pick and a 2017 fourth round pick. This penalty is absolutely absurd not only because of the insignificance of the deflating of balls allegation, but also because of the lack of concrete evidence supporting Ted Wells' case. The Pats have been convicted completely off of circumstantial evidence. In comparison to some of the issues that the NFL has dealt with this year, this one is by far the least significant but has some how earned the largest penalty. Tom Brady has not beat his wife or children, done drugs, had any DUI's, etc., its just "more probable than not" meaning the NFL is 51% sure that Tom Brady tampered with the footballs.

Roger Goodell is a clearly a horrible commissioner and should be replaced at once. The inaccuracy and immaturity of his actions should have had him fired years ago. Now that Goodell had lost what seems to be his one and only ally in Robert Kraft, his existence as commissioner is going to be a whole lot more difficult. Tom Brady is going to appeal this case with the full support of the entire Patriots organization, fans, and the NFLPA. In addition to this appeal it would not be surprising whatsoever if the Kraft's or Tom Brady sued the NFL for its unfair actions. They are openly defying the NFL rule book by levying this penalty. It clearly states that if there is an improper inflation in footballs then it is a $25,000 dollar fine, not a four game suspension, $1 million dollar fine, and loss of two draft picks. Anyway, the actions of the NFL front office recently have been extremely questionable and will most likely be under review in the near future by the 32 owners that make up this great, but very corrupt league.

Hot Start For Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts, center fielder, and one of the newest members to the Boston Red Sox's starting line-up is off to a red hot start to the 2015 season. With the Sox poised to make a run from worst to first just as they did in the 2013 season, Betts seems to be one of the key cogs in what seems to be one of the most powerful offenses in the league. Just a mere seven games and thirty-five at-bats into the season, Betts has eight hits. These eight hits consist of an impressive four singles, two doubles, and two home runs. For a man that is only 180 pounds, it is not common to have a slugging percentage of .457. To go along with what is already a quite impressive offensive stat line, he hasn't exactly been slacking on defense either. As some may not know, just like many of the Red Sox current outfielders, Centerfield is not his natural position. He was drafted into the league as an infielder; primarily a second baseman. To ask a professional player of his caliber to make a change so drastic, such as they did to one of their newest signings in Hanley Ramirez, is not easy and will take some major adjustments. Luckily for Betts, he thrives off of his versatility. With this hot start to the 2015 season, let’s hope this will be a sign of things to come for this young star. Who knows, maybe he will be the spark this team desperately needs to make another run at a World Series.