Hockey or Baseball which is the better sport

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by DSNY FN
I see your pont hehehe to funny. I agree with the cost being a factor my parents hated the fact I chose to be a goalie they loved watching me play but hated having to pay. I always has custom made equipment not you average off the shelf stuff so my equipment costs per year ran into the thousands on top of paying for the league I played in and the travel time and hotels etc for all my games. A season cost my family about 12 grand and they paid till I made it to juniour so from the age of 4 to the age of 16.

Which is harder: Hitting a baseball thrown at 80-100 MPH or, checking someone against the boards? Catching a fly ball hit in the air about 30 yards to your right and going over your head, or passing a puck? Throwing the ball to first after recieving it from the 2nd baseman, moving to your left while the baserunner is taking your legs out from under you, or getting the puck on a face off?

 

[DSNY FN]

The face off is harder because it requires timing like a hitter hitting a pitch. Stopping a slapshot that is coming at you at 100MPH from less than 10 feet away and passing a puck while trying not to get pummeled into the boards or out in open ice takes alot of skill as you have to be prcise with teh pass while as I said not getting taken out and making sure it isn't an offside pass etc. Good points either way Dmadman. A hitter also doens't have to cntend with somone standing in front of him trying to deflect the ball on the way to the plate. And skaters have the same issue as a second baseman etc with trying not to get hit while carrying the puck or shooting it or passing it and it is played out in alot smaller area at alot higher speeds.

 

[dmadman43]

Originally posted by DSNY FN
The face off is harder because it requires timing like a hitter hitting a pitch. Stopping a slapshot that is coming at you at 100MPH from less than 10 feet away and passing a puck while trying not to get pummeled into the boards or out in open ice takes alot of skill as you have to be prcise with teh pass while as I said not getting taken out and making sure it isn't an offside pass etc. Good points either way Dmadman.

I realize hockey takes skill. But, I was trying to emphasize that while baseball may look easy because there appears to be a "lot of standing around", it does require quite a bit of skill. And, while it may look like the players are "standing around" there is A LOT going on during that standing around. As the outfielder I need to know what pitch is being thrown so I can anticipate which way to break on the ball. And, if there are runners on, depending where the ball is hit I have to anticipate where to throw the ball. As the infielder I have to coordinate with the other infielders on who will take the throw depending on who is on, what the score it, and how many outs there are. As the catcher, I'm in charge of the defense. I call the picthes, the location, then when the ball is in play, I coordinate the throws, the position of the cutoff man, call where the ball will be throwin, etc. etc. etc. Yea, they are just "standing around"

 

[jwill]

I'm going out on a limb here and say hockey; go figure. Baseball is a sport I like as well, maybe because it is so different for a change of pace so to speak.
It really is hard to compare the two because the action level is so different. As dmadman43 points out, the skill level involved in baseball is tremendous from hitting the ball to a certain part of the field to the catcher calling the correct pitch sequence to the pitcher actually hitting that certain spot. I would never knock baseball for those reasons.
Hockey requires many skills also but I think you can compensate for some shortcomings with hard work. Look at the teams that trap, they are not the most talent laiden teams but often times they can beat a very talented squad by hard work and a good system. If a baseball team has a lousy collective batting average, they are not going to win.
In the end it comes down to personal prefence. From playing, I know what kind of work and physical toll it takes to play hockey. I have broken my leg twice in the same year playing and still came back to play, the love and desire to play is still there through all of that.
Really it's an easy choice for me but can understand why others would choose baseball.

 

[DSNY FN]

jwill how long did you play? Dmadman doyou still play ball? Did you ever play hockey? I have played both and yes it does take a sill level greater than I have to play baseball well but in the same token it takes alot of skill to play hockey well and be able to do everythign neede in a game where you are on the ice for 20 minutes out of a game sating your tail off and getting hit just about any time you touch the puck.

 

[jwill]

DSNY FN, I got a late start playing hockey not getting involved until I was 19. I'm 31 now and hope to be able to play as long as some of the older guys on my team (mid to late forties). What helped out so much is that I had skated from such an early age, by the time I started to play I only had to work on my stick handling skills as I had plenty of informal inline hockey for a year or so before that. Some of the new people coming into the adult Sr. Leagues are learning to skate and play at the same time which can be a pretty steep climb especially for someone older. Kids pick things up like that so much easier.
I would think that if professional baseball and hockey players were asked the same question, there would be a lot of mutual respect and admiration for the other's skill set.

 

[DSNY FN]

jwill I agree I remember they used to go around and interview the ball players at spring training during the hockey playoffs. The ball players couldn't understand how guys could get cut and come back out after getting stitched up to continue playing as one ball player said they must grow them different up there in Canada hehe. It was a teamate of Larry Walkers he was said to have converted the guys onhis team to hockey fans. I started skating when I started walking I still have my first ever pair of sates. They didn't make them that small back then so my parents went to the skate company BAUER and had them make them for me. I have been playing ever since. I got as far as juniour B up here then blew out my ACL and MCL in my left knee in a game. inda ended my competative career.

 

[LadyBears]

I am "forced" to say HOCKEY! lol!

Everyone in my house but me plays. That is why I am on the computer now - the Stanley Cup Championship is on. I get to be on here with NO interuptions!

 

[jwill]

That's pretty impressive to get to junior b. I'm sorry to hear of your knee getting blown out.
The Canadian players are a tough lot no doubt but we have some American players that can take a beating and keep getting back up.

 

[DSNY FN]

Oh I think it is hockey players in general that are tough honestly no matter where they are from. Thanks for the compliments on my going to play junior B I am having my right knee fixed for the second time now I am just waiting for my surgeon to get my date set up. He loosafter all the NHL players and skiers and the Canadian national soccer team ets and all the University of Western Ontario athletes. Ihave to get the cartalidge fixed and my MCL for the second time in my right knee.

 

[Lewski709]

Boy DSNY FN you are busy with all your threads.

Both Hockey and Baseball are GREAT! You need to compare apples to apples and they aren't. Both are physically demanding, just because you don't enjoy one doesn't mean it isn't a great sport as well.

 

[DSNY FN]

I didn;t say it wasn't a great sport I just find it boring thus finding hockey to be a better sport.

 

[Lewski709]

As you probably would, coming from Canada. Baseball is far from boring. Have you ever been to a game? Ever played a game? I don't like to watch it on tv...it can be so slow. But to play it or be at a game is different.

 

[LadyBears]

I posted my answer without reading all 5 pages of answers. Now that I have, I have to say to this:

Originally posted by debster812
I think it's kind of like comparing apples and oranges.

Hockey--wintertime sport, very fast moving, very specific skill set and talent required, not everyone can play (even recreationally)

Baseball--summertime passtime, a bit slow moving, again, a specific skill set, but MANY more people can play. Not sure about our Canadian friends, but virtually everyone I know played some sort of baseball hybrid (wiffleball, stickball, tball, little league, softball) growing up.

So, as I park myself firmly ON the fence, I will say they both have their strengths and weaknesses, but for me, I would rather watch baseball.

When you play Hockey, at least around here, it is a year round sport! I am still learning about hockey 'cuz I am now a hockey Mom, so bear with me. The hockey season is from August to May. From May to August when they are not practicing, they are always playing pickup games. Both my DD & her father only get 3 maybe 4 weeks off a year!

As far as I know - & again I was never much into either of these sports - baseball does NOT last 10 months per year.

Also, you don't have to worry about hockey being rained out! When watching the games, you get to freeze in the rink in the winter & be comfortable in the rink on the hot summer days. Baseball you have to dress for the weather & hope for the best.

Hopefully my DD will stick with hockey for a long time to come - the decision is hers. This is her first of 2 weeks off & she is already complaining she misses it. LOL!

 

[DSNY FN]

Ladybear do we have a possible US national womens team member inyour house there? Wouldn't that be great if she could play for them. My oldest daughter likes hockey but doens't care to play it my youngest daughter wants to play and also to race motorcycles like dad gotta love her spirit hehe.

 

[DSNY FN]

Lewiski I have been to many games in the Dome at Toronto and I played when I was a kid gave it up to play summer hockey and go to summer hockey camp in my off time that I was not playing.

 

[jersey shark]

Here's a new wrinkle on this discussion that I look forward to hearing your feedback on.

Though I love all major sports, I love watching hockey the most...partly because of the unique way penalties are handled...think about it...in basketball-you just get to shoot from a line when the other time fouls you, in football - you move further down the field, baseball - take a base if hit...not too exciting at all.

BUT in hockey, they get a guy to sit out for 2 minutes creating a 5 against 4 situation....very exciting....2 penalties by your team?? 2 men go off creating a 5 on 3 situation!!! I personally am cheering on the Calgary Flames in the current hockey finals in part because they didn't allow the Flyers (earlier series) a goal when they were 2 men down for a full 2 minutes!!! It was so exciting to watch no one at our Mother's Day party could even keep a seat! Also, in hockey when your team is losing near the end of the game..."pull" the goalie to allow for an extra attacker....gotta love it!!!

WHAT GREAT RULES....that lead to GREAT THRILLS and EXCITEMENT!!!!! I'd rank hockey the most exciting sport to watch!

 

[DSNY FN]

JS great outlook and great analogy of the penalty etc in comparison to other sports. You are right in baseball or football if you are down by a td or a run or what have you you can't just say well I am going to pull the kicker from the lineup and put in another wide reciever etc same with baseball or basketball. It adds great excitement to the game especially if you are playing a team with a good PK maes the team on the power play have to work harder to score and the team short handed work harder to prevent them from scoring. Another thing as a goalie in hockey it is the most mentally challenging position in sports you are the last line of defense. You have a good game you can come away as a hero especially if your team doesn't have a great game infront of you but you still manage to win. On the flip side of that if your team does have a great game and you lose you have to try and get yourself mentally prepard for the next game especially in playoff hockey. Hockey playes need to be tough both physically and mentally.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Originally posted by DSNY FN
. Hockey playes need to be tough both physically and mentally.

As do baseball players. How about the no hitter? A pitcher can single-handedly dominate. And every player on the field may be the "last line of defense" if the ball is hit to them for the final out, or if they are up to bat with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Every sport has it's good and bad points, it's just a matter of personal preference. IMO baseball is so much more of a thinker's game, and that is what makes what some call a "boring" game exciting. The score may end up to be 1-0, but if you know what you are watching, there may be a lot more excitement than would be seen by the casual observer.

 

[LadyBears]

Originally posted by DSNY FN
Ladybear do we have a possible US national womens team member inyour house there? Wouldn't that be great if she could play for them. My oldest daughter likes hockey but doens't care to play it my youngest daughter wants to play and also to race motorcycles like dad gotta love her spirit hehe.

I hope so! The one comment I hear most about her is that she is always smiling. If she falls, she gets up smiling; if she scores a goal - she is beaming ear to ear & has her hands held way up in the air. Just don't get her mad when she is on the ice. Her dad now needs to teach her how to "control her anger" I guess you can say. The last time she was on the ice, one little boy did something - steal the puck from her I think, I missed what happened - & she was MAD - The next time she saw the kid, she tripped him with her stick on purpose! LOL! I must say that hockey is DEFINITELY in her blood.

The opportunities for females in this sport are unbelievable!!! But, since she won't be 5 until August, she still has a LOOOONG way to go to make that a reality. Thankfully, some of the student helpers are girls, so she does look up to them. When we went to her first hockey banquet I was really surprised at how many girls are playing.

I have to laugh at your comment about the motorcycles - my DD is begging us for a dirt bike like the kid down the street has - only in pink & purple. Needless to say, once she masters riding her bike without training wheels, she will be getting one. So with our trip this year, I guess she will be getting one the size of an XR50 next spring.

My DD is the type who wants to play ice hockey IN her Cinderella gown, then sit down to a nice tea party to celebrate her victory, LOL.