BigGov

Here's a hard arguement, what is America's (USA only, no Canadians saying Hockey) true pastime?

My choice: Football.

No other sport has as much interest as football, plain and simple. When August starts rolling around the football fans start drooling, you hardly see that with any other sport. And hen it comes to word of mouth, football is what is talked about most often around where I live.

Matrix2023

Yes, true, football. It is also sad because football has to be one of the only sports that rewards huge, out of shape men. That and sumo wrestling. Football sums up America pretty well.

When countless amounts of killing in an online game becauses America's pasttime, then I'll be a happy camper.

The_Dude

Football, but NASCAR would be a close 2nd for me.

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BigGov

That's a completely different topic. Not trying to draw things completely out of wack but I don't know of many fat Star Trek/War fans that are in their parents basement and can bench press 400-700 pounds.

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RoadRage

Just look at this subforum. Sports just kinda limped along thru summer, then the whisper of football and suddenly TFP Sports is alive. Threads took 7 or 8 days to reach the bottom in the summer, now they can be there in 7 or 8 hours on a busy weekend of football.

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gov135

America's pastime is, has, and will always be baseball.

America grew up with baseball. Baseball personified larger issues such as race, economics, and class better and more than any other sport.

It is not the most popular, but the question isn't about popularity. Baseball most defines America, it is this nation's pastime.

LaZy

I gotta go with baseball too. I like football a lot.....but i love baseball. Also, I Live in AZ and the cardinals suck.

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tj2001cobra

As far as pasttimes go, I have to say baseball. It is a sport that is relatively easy to understand, people like going to games even if they dont know the teams (at least in my experience) and you can find relatively cheap tickets if you look hard enough.

Football, basketball,hockey, and other sports are EXPENSIVE as hell. Hockey tickets to the Stars are outrageous. You can still get cheap seats to baseball games but they might be in the nosebleed section.

Also, baseball is easy to explain and watch because it is slower. I can never explain football to my fiance. She just doesn't get it. She likes baseball and softball though and can understand what is going on.

Me personally? I like college football. It is my favorite. Pro football is ok, but college is where it is at for me. Talk about guys giving it their everything.

Halx

Baseball.. the thinking man's game!

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bundy

well, i´ve only ever heard that term in relation to baseball.

but based on the large amount of Football threads here on the TFP, i´m inclined to think that the most major of the major sports is Football.

another point that interests me here is the following that College Football and Basketball seems to receive.

i´ve never heard of College Baseball (though, i´m sure it exists) or College Hockey... i think that if there is such a following in the grass roots and earlier stages of the game, then that must be some indication as to its popularity.

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The_Dude

college baseball is not the most popular sport out there, but it is definately popular in some parts (Texas has a good fanbase for college baseball). That's cuz the past 2 national champions have come from Texas (UT & Rice).

So, people here follow it a lil bit.

As for college hockey, I dont think it's widespread and only a limited amount of schools field teams.

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Mr. Spacemonkey

I think i'm going to say football, it just seems like more people like football than baseball. But then again i think that baseball is kind of boring so i may be a little bias.

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absorbentishe

Well, you see it's baseball. The problems are... The season is too long, there are too many teams i.e. Majors to single A. If the season weren't so long, maybe the interset would come back. I love baseball, but I can't stand to follow it everyday. I think Football is making a strong showing, you only have to watch 1 or 2 days a week to keep abreast of what is going on. I'd love to see baseball regain it's past glory.

gov135

I wanted to add that baseball, more than any other sport, is played by our youth. There is a definite father/son vibe that doesn't exist as stongly with other sports.

Not everyone plays football. But everyone can be part of a little league team for a few summers of their youth.

Hrothgar

Totally agree with you 100%.

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lions20

Baseball used to be now I think football is the pastime.

Lebell

I'm tempted to break out the James Earl Jones quote from "Field of Dreams" but I'll just say that Baseball has been the defining American sport for over 150 years (even if the Rockies SUCKED again this year).

Long live the Boys of Summer!

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JohnnyRock

I'm still a bigger baseball fan than football [pretty close, though]. I don't find it slw or boring, I see the little strategy that goes into a baseball game...the cat and mouse between pitcher and hitter entrhalling. I watch as many games a week as I can find...

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Redlemon

I consider baseball the "past"-time, and football the "present". Baseball is all about individual acheivement, but football is a team effort.

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VF19

Football-a game played with hands.
Thats the thing I dont get about football, is the name.
Find another name. Seriously. Something original.
But the game is cool, I mean, you have hardcore fans for every team. Not like baseball.

djtestudo

rugby-a game played on grass
Thats the thing I dont get about rugby, is the name.
Find another name. Seriously. Something original.

lol

Baseball doesn't need fans who get drunk and scream insults. Look what it did to the Bronx.

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Shpoop

Americas favorite sport: football
Americas most interesting sport: football
Americas most anticipated sport: football
But Americas pasttime is Baseball, and that was the question

not was it, but what was

nein991

Football is better; you have a play that lasts 20 secounds and then a break. There is always action and hitting going on.

grumpyolddude

While football provides society with gladiatorial entertainment and fills the bookies pockets every week, baseball remains America's favorite pastime.

Gov and Hal, excellent points! The football guys are speaking from an adrenaline rush.

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BigDonkey2

there is only one National Pastime....and its Baseball....nothing else...period. Hockey is a Canadian sport and the rest cant compare to baseball.