The question of “What is a sport?” has sporadically engaged my mind for years. There are many opinions, each of which is almost guaranteed to generate argument. But let’s start with Merriam-Webster.[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sport
The first definition of “sport” is virtually useless: “a source of diversion,” which means that defining what a sport is is a sport – because it is diverting. The second definition is extremely interesting: “sexual play,” but we’ll ignore it for now, likely forever. The third definition is the most relevant: physical activity engaged in for pleasure. We will also ignore the interplay between the second definition and the third.
The third definition gets to the core issue of what a sport is. Most people think of a sport as any of the athletic activities that people engage in to have fun or help stay in shape: running, soccer, basketball, tennis, softball, etc. Think of an activity, somebody out there thinks it is a sport. For instance, some have argued (absurdly I might add) that bridge and chess are sports.
My definition of a sport is more discriminating, but devoid of value judgment. I don’t think a sport is better than a physically demanding activity that isn’t a sport. I just think that they are different and that it is useful to differentiate between sports and other physical activities.
George Carlin said “there are really only three sports: baseball, basketball, and football. Everything else is either a game or an activity.” I agree that those three are sports, but my definition is more inclusive. See http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2008-06-24/sports/whitley24_1_carlin-sport-illustrated for many amusing comments from Carlin about sports.
Another comedian, Patrice O’Neal stated that something “is not allowed to be a sport, unless there’s defense.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlD-5ctsbaY He was right, but not comprehensive enough.
Charles Barkley, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, said that anything Ernie Johnson (his frequent broadcast partner) was better at than Barkley, couldn’t possibly be a sport. That’s funny and it might be true, but it is too subjective to be helpful. (I can’t find a source.)
Here is my definition:
A sport is: an athletic activity with a ball (or ball equivalent) and active defense. That’s three requirements: athleticism matters, a ball, and defense.
Upon hearing my definition, many people immediately start defending their favorite activity, for example, wrestling, swimming, or auto racing, that doesn’t meet the requirements. They get offended that their favorite activity doesn’t fit my definition. Again, I’m not judging the non-sport, I’m simply suggesting that archery is distinctly different from soccer, that skiing is markedly different from rugby. Not easier, not inferior, not less athletic, fundamentally different.
Golf (which I heartily enjoy) is not a sport, racquetball is. The latter has an active defense, a way to stop other players; golf does not. Swimming, cycling, and running are incredibly difficult to excel at, so is the triathlon that they comprise. They all require intense physical training, strong will, and great athleticism at the highest level, but they don’t have a ball and they don’t allow competitors to stop their opponent(s). They aren’t sports. That doesn’t mean that I think less of them or that anyone else should.
Carlin’s “baseball, basketball, and football” fulfill all the requirements of my definition, and they are the three sports that I most enjoy watching. Lacrosse and soccer, which I do not enjoy watching, also fit all three requirements. I’m not playing favorites; I’m distinguishing between activities, however highly skilled, and sports. They are different.
Whenever I have discussed this topic with friends and acquaintances, they accuse me of being judgmental. You probably think I’m judging; I’m not. Hockey is a sport, hiking is not. I like them both. Water polo is a sport, boxing is not. I’m not particularly fond of either. My preferences are not relevant.
There’s something about an activity where you can actively stop the other side that makes it fundamentally different from activities where you can’t — cricket vs. gymnastics. There is something fundamentally different about an activity with a ball and one without — volleyball vs. ice skating. There is something fundamentally different about activities where athleticism matters and those where it doesn’t — field hockey vs. croquet.
Sports are fun, demanding, and good for your physical and mental health. So are many other athletic activities. It’s just that athletic activities that don’t have a ball and defense aren’t sports.
[1] The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is the only direct descendent of Noah Webster’s original creation. For close to two centuries, “Webster” has been available to any publisher and has been used by many to help market their dictionaries. See Saalfield Pub. Co. et al. v. G. & C. Merriam Co., 238 Fed. 1 (C.C.A. 6th 1917) (“the copyright upon the original ‘Webster’s Dictionary’ expired in 1834, and ever since that date any one has had the right to publish that book, or his own revision of it, and call his publication ‘Webster’s Dictionary’ ” ).
I recall Jay telling me your earlier definition of sport was “any physical activity that requires a change of shoes.” You’ve been giving this much thought!
This is very enlightening, Mr. Burpee. Two comments:
1. Since you introduced a bit of ribaldry to your column, I will continue in that vein with respect to wrestling. Wrestling should be a sport in that it is an athletic activity, it does include defense and having been a wrestler – it does include balls and those balls can certainly be mishandled at times!
2. I really like your definition. I suggest that we use your criteria to develop a path for any physical activity that would like to become a sport! For example – if golf wants to become a sport – then we should find a way to introduce tackling or goal-tending! You could imagine the possibilities to convert nearly any physical activity to sport using your criteria!
Thanks as always for a HIGHLY ENTERTAINING post!
Croquet?
Sir you have gone too far!
I wanted an activity played on a field with a stick where athleticism was not as important as skill — to juxtapose with field hockey. What would you have chosen?
We have discussed this many times, and I mostly agree with your three requirements for a sport. I’d like to hear you expand on activities that don’t meet the “ball equivalent” requirement but do meet the other two. Skating isn’t interesting to this discussion because there isn’t a defense, but I would like to think about activities like the following: wrestling, boxing, cycling (marginal defense because your teammates can block), what else?
This is a fascinating concept: a path to sport-hood.
Clarifying. I accept your definition.
Swimming, track, auto racing, etc. are physical activities that we can compete at but are not sports.
When should we let the Olympic committee know they need to differentiate?
The Committee should be informed that I am available for a small fee. I’m not sure who is most qualified to pass along the information. Any volunteers?