Sports

Growing up, I was never really into sports, watching or playing.  My parents were fans of Virginia Tech football, but at the time, it was really hard to see a Tech game in Florida. Especially without cable. It wasn’t until I got to college that I really got into the Gators.

At first, even though I watched games, it took me awhile to start to feel like I had even a modest understanding of the game, and to really get into it. Even now, 12yrs later, I still don’t feel I really understand all the rules and can notice things unless they are on replays. But it’s gotten a lot better. I remember players and I can recognize some penalties.

I’ve even branched out some what to more than just Gator football games. I’ll occassionally watch other SEC games. And I’ve even considered getting into the NFL. It would kind of be nice to not be that one guy who has to explain I don’t watch football.

Lately, I’ve been trying my hand at college basketball. I’ve only ever watched it occasionally, usually during March Madness. When the Gators won those two championships a few years ago, I watched most of the tournament. But regular season games aren’t played on a predictable schedule, unlike football which is every Saturday. But now that I can get them whenever I want via ESPN on the Xbox, when I feel like watching, I can turn the last one on.

Basketball has a very different feel than football. Football is much more strategic, where basketball is tactical. The games go a lot faster, (two 20min halves compared to four 15-min quarters). And while things can slow down once they’re doing free-throws every 10sec, it’s over in a much shorter time. It’s a nice 90min distraction, as opposed to a 3hr investment.

Though, now, I’m right back where I was with football years ago.  I know the very basics, but can’t spot things. And I really do not have a clue what’s a foul and what isn’t. When it warrants 1 free throw, 2 or 3. I’ll pick it up over time, I suppose.

For now, I’ll just try and enjoy getting into sports.  Competition is fun, and unlike many tv shows, it’s unpredictable. Not knowing how it’s going to end is kind of nice. Though, announcers are sometimes just as dumb as poorly written dialogue.