Active or passive sport

i kind of think that not being a fan of a team takes away the excitement. it's like you aren't invested in the match, it's just this thing happening on the screen. and what good is watching without being involved in the action?

 

I enjoy playing sports and there are some sports such as tennis that I enjoy playing but not watching. I don't think it is necessary to have a favorite team or player however I think having one helps you get more involved in the game. I grew up in a small town where football was the main event on Friday nights. I learned a lot about the game from going to these games and watching my classmates play. I have continued to love watching football live or on tv. Even if my favorite team isn't playing I will pick someone to cheer for as it helps me enjoy the game more.
When the team you identify with wins a tough game there is nothing quite like the feeling. My college team won the Fiesta Bowl last night and I cried I was so happy.

 

I could care less about any NFL team but I still watch and enjoy the games. I think you can enjoy a sport without being personally invested in the outcome, but it does of course mean more when you care about teams in it. For example, I would never turn on the clock radio displays at work to listen to an NFL game, but when the Crows are playing...

 

It's fairly easy for me to root for or against a team I'm indifferent to, because there is always a player/s that I either like or dislike on the team I'm watching play.

 

well, i can't speak for much except for soccer i just cannot get worked up about other things.

 

(American) Football: I can't play football, although I do enjoy throwing the ball around with friends. Still, I love watching college football, though not the NFL.

Basketball: I love playing basketball and I love watching it. End up trying to compare my style with different players (though obviously I'm nowhere even remotely as good as any college players).

Baseball: Cannot play, period. I remember way back in elementary school we played some in PE, I think I got one hit in all the times we played, and struck out almost every time, and I wasn't a particularly good fielder or anything either. Didn't use to enjoy watching it, either, but thats changed and now I watch a good bit, and try to go to the USC games when I can too.

Ultimate Frisbee: Love playing, but wouldn't be worth watching. Unless the teams were really, really good (i.e., a frisbee national championship would probably be worth watching, and would be better than a lot of stuff that is on ESPN...)


So basically I would say that playing a sport is not required to enjoy watching it or cheering for teams in it, but could enhance the experience (as with basketball for me)

 

I find it difficult to watch any sporting event if I'm not rooting for one team or another. I have favorite temas for most major sports and generally only follow them. Hockey is the exception for me. I can enjoy a game even if I'm not rooting for either team.

 

Reading this again, I have a different take that I originally interpreted it.

Most of the games I plan on watching involve a team or player I want to see (generally, team, unless its the NBA). However, if the teams are good, I can enjoy watching anyone. I may still pull for one team or the other, depending on the circumstances, or not, and just enjoy the sport.

 

i certainly wouldn't wreck my body/health for money. i'd wreck it for wrecking it

i kinda go with watching sports that you would either like to do or are doing already because then you can appreciate the work that goes into doing a certain thing. i do appreciate athletics that way because you know how much time these guys spend at their training for running so quickly.