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I am not connected with soccer. I don't really get it, and I know it's because I did not grow up with it. Did you? Are you?
And that made me think about women's soccer. The adorable teenagers who live next door are avid soccer players. And field hockey. We did not have field hockey, either.
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And that made me think of Caitlyn Clark, and her amazing abilities, and her incredible career. And obstacles. And her hilarious performance of Saturday Night Live.
And that made me think of an article I read recently that said sports memorabilia for professional women athletes is a bit difficult to come by. That, by far, there's not as much merch for women athletes and women's teams available as there is for men. Which I supposed is somehow adjusted with the understanding of how many more means teams there are than women's. But it does seem like someone should rectify that.
I bought a Derrick White Celtics jersey because I was so impressed by how he keeps his eye on the ball all the time, I mean, not metaphorically, but actually, and it prove how key to success that is. Just like they always told us in gym class.
(Not that it would matter since that ball wasn't coming anywhere near me.)
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And now the Olympics are coming. Will you be watching? What sports in particular?
See, Reds and Readers? We're talking about SPORTS!
What do you say about that?
We don't generally watch sports [with a couple of exceptions], but we do watch some Olympic events: Gymnastics in the summer games; Figure Skating in the winter games. [And, as you probably guessed, the couple of exceptions are that we watch all the Figure Skating and Gymnastics events throughout the year.]
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to watch!
DeleteThe only sport worth caring about is ultimate Frisbee. But since they still won't let that in the Olympics, I will be watching diving when the Olympics are on in a few weeks. At one time I dreamed of being a diver. Never mind my lack of flexibility or my fear of heights.
ReplyDeleteMark, not having Ultimate in the Olympics strikes me as odd, too, especially after I heard that they're having break dance fighting (or whatever it's called) this year. If you circulate an Ultimate Olympics petition, I'll sign! (My son played in college.)
DeleteI'll sign, too. My Swiss niece plays in European competitions!
DeleteI agree with the others. They added breakdancing and skateboarding as Olympic sports, so why not ultimate frisbee. I tried playing it once, and I was exhausted!
DeleteSeems like throwing a disc would fit right into the original spirit of the Games, wouldn't it?
DeleteSince I gave up cable TV a decade ago, it is much harder to watch live sports without ESPN or TSN or a main TV channel. And I watched more Winter Olympics than Summer Olympics events.
ReplyDeleteSo... I will probably watch some Paris Olympics highlights but not the whole main event using my Roku.
Track & field, swimming, diving, rowing and gymnastics.
And, it will also be interesting to see what story emerges!
DeleteFrom Diana: Thank you, Grace, for reminding us about the rowing competition. I forgot that they have rowing in the Olympics. I remember watching the rowing at Henley Regatta.
DeleteOh, Hank, so sorry you missed field hockey! Only way that in small rural town in CT that girls were “allowed” to have a team and compete with other schools. But not uniforms, just those vest things with the school name. And a highly competition amongst the women’s colleges in the NE. Sigh…the early 1960s….Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteWe played field hockey my first year in a middy and bloomers - not especially chic or conducive to running. Year 2, we finally had shorts and a shirt.
DeleteOur gym suits had bloomers. OMG, what a hilarious memory.
DeleteOur gym suits not only had bloomers, but snaps from crotch to neck and were “instutional aqua” in color! Hilarious, but not fond memories here too. Elisabeth
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Deletewell, I probably would have been terrible, so just as well...:-)
DeleteI'll probably watch track & field and gymnastics.
ReplyDeleteExactly!
DeleteSoccer is big around here, but I don't watch much unless the US is playing or it's the World Cup. I learned to play as a seventeen-year old exchange student in Brazil (the year PELE and the national team won the World Cup - what a party went on!), and played some with friends in college.
ReplyDeleteMy high school had softball and maybe volleyball teams for girls, but I didn't even consider those.
The sport I watch without fail is the Boston Marathon, and I'll catch the women's marathon in the Olympics, too. I might watch some diving and gymnastics, probably not much else.
I should mention that I checked back on Jungle Reds last night at about nine. OMG. I'd had a light dinner and all the hot dog discussion gave me a hunger I couldn't resist - I soon found myself savoring a delicious bunless hot dog with mustard!
DeleteThat’s so funny!
DeleteFrom Diana: Your hot dog sounds delicious, Edith. Sometimes I eat an hot dog without a bun.
DeleteWith the European Championships going on, my household, my city, and all of Switzerland have been watching soccer in public and private, night after night. Last night, Switzerland lost to England at the very last minute (in a penalty shootout, to those who know soccer), and the dream was over. If we'd won, it would have been our first time EVER playing in a semi-final as one of the four best European teams. Like you, Hank, I didn't grow up with soccer, but if you live in Europe, South America, or most of the rest of the world, it's THE sport, so I have learned to understand it well enough to watch with friends, just for the fun of it. It's the same with the Olympics now, after so many years in Switzerland: I watch the competitions that Swiss men and women are best in! Not that I'm not pleased when an American wins something, but I prefer to cheer for my tiny adopted homeland.
ReplyDeleteThat was a close game, Kim!
DeleteSorry, KIM. Penalty shootouts are brutal.
DeletePenalty shootouts are the worst!
DeleteYes, I saw that! And apparently fantastic for England (sorry) because of their devastating loss in the same situation last time. Or something :-)
DeleteI played field hockey in school in England but girls didn't play soccer back then (early 1970s). Watching the Canadian women's hockey and soccer teams is a THRILL these days and I simply LOVE their strength and fortitude both on and off the field. Yay for them!
ReplyDeleteMy middle school and high school had women’s soccer teams. This was in the early seventies. California seemed to be progressive regarding women’s sports. I played soccer, ran track and swam on my high school teams.
DeleteThey are in such amazing shape!
DeleteMy grandma played high school basketball in the late 1920’s! I was on a softball team in 6th grade. I didn’t see much playing time, but I have fond memories of my dad playing catch with me out in the yard. My siblings were more athletic. I’m currently having more success with pickleball.
ReplyDeleteI don’t really remember soccer being a thing when I was a kid, but it became huge when my kids were growing up. None of them played it though. We’re a baseball family.
Southeast Minnesota has a girls five on five flag football league this summer with 4 schools participating. The Minnesota Vikings are sponsoring and funding the league. The organizers hope it grows and becomes a sanctioned high school sport.
I like to watch sports, mostly baseball. I hope to still see some of Wimbledon. For the Olympics I’ll try to catch some gymnastics, swimming & diving, and rowing. My cousin’s son is a strength and conditioning coach. One of his first jobs was with Olympians training in Colorado. Now he works for the Arizona Cardinals.
The rules for women's basketball were very different from men's. You could take 3 steps at one time, then you had to pass the ball. Pivoting was essential. You see, women were not supposed to run! (For so many reasons!)
DeleteOh yeah, I remember those basketball rules in school. I had to referee grade 7-9 girls basketball and that was always the biggest infraction!
DeleteAnd remember, back then, in girls basketball, only the forwards could shoot. In my middle school, at least!
DeleteHank I don't really connect with playing sports either, maybe it's about not relating to physical competition? Which is why I didn't join my college fencing team, when asked - and which I still regret.
ReplyDelete(But the main character in my series DID join the team, so there's that...)
YES! Perfect!
DeleteI came to a mystery blog and a sports bar broke out...
ReplyDeleteI'm not a soccer fan. Didn't play it, don't really watch it (except for the 1999 World Cup women's final...the US Women's team winning) and have no connection to the game other than a number of my former basketball players played it when they were in high school.
And my interest in field hockey is even less.
As for Caitlin Clark, she's certainly given a boost to women's basketball. First in college and now as a member of the Indiana Fever. Tickets, ratings, visibility. And DRAMA. Every time something happens to her, two things happen. Her zombie like fans who think every affront is cause to storm the gates lose their FN minds. And then comes the inevitable pushback that always seems to include: "She wouldn't be so popular if she wasn't white and straight" narrative. The whole thing is exhausting and sadly, inescapable with her every move being covered with more intensity than the election.
The one thing I've enjoyed about it however is it has revealed that the female athletes can be just as big self-centered, whiny, look-at-me crybabies as the male athletes.
With the Summer Olympics, I don't know that I'll be watching anything live or even the highlights for that matter. I've always enjoyed the swimming events for some reason. And the basketball, of course. I'll just keep track via the Sports Illustrated website for results.
The most interesting sports story for me recently has been the Boston Celtics winning their 18th championship. As much as life sucks right now, the Celtics on top of the basketball world is at least a moment of bright sunshine.
Especially since the Bruins once again blew it this year and the Red Sox continue build up hopes and dreams just long enough to get you believing before losing 14-4 to the freaking Yankees yesterday.
Here in San Diego we lost our beloved Bill Walton who played of course for the Celtics and the Trailblazers and of course (Go Bruins) UCLA.
DeleteI used to follow figure skating years ago but hardly ever watched any of the summer Olympics. But this year I am looking forward to the Paralympics, ever since I read the wonderful memoir by Oksana Masters, The Hard Parts: A Story of Courage and Triumph. I cannot recommend that book highly enough! She is the most exciting athlete ever!
ReplyDeleteOh fascinating!
DeleteEurocup! My favorite international tournament because it starts with surprises in group play (remember the year Iceland grabbed center stage?) and this year, Turkey. And the fans are amazing because they are a short plane or train ride away and turn out in full force.
ReplyDeleteI played field hockey and ran track in HS and rowed in college. Lots of events to watch at the Summer Olympics.
It'll be fun!
DeleteI follow baseball and soccer (St. Louis Cardinals, Leeds United, and Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns) My family and I went to see the Timbers live last week and it was so exciting. We came back from 2-0 to win 3-2. The stadium was rocking!
ReplyDeleteMy dad grew up in England and played soccer, cricket, and rugby. He started working as a librarian at Portland State College (college then, university now) in the late '50s and became their first men's soccer coach. The team was a ragtag mix of international students from everywhere else because Americans didn't play soccer. They wore American football jerseys because there were no soccer uniforms. When his daughters came along, dad taught us to dribble the ball and shoot. Unfortunately, there was no soccer team for girls at our high school when my twin and I were there. By the time our younger sister was old enough, girls soccer was a possibility and she was able to play.
I love watching the Olympics, and enjoy soccer (especially women's), swimming and diving, track and field, gymnastics--really, I like almost all of it. My favorite Olympic sport is equestrian, especially the 3 day event and show jumping. In 1972, we were in England in the months before the Olympics and we were able to watch a lot of coverage of equestrian competition on TV. Showjumper Harvey Smith was a cult hero in Yorkshire and he made the team.
Oh, that's so cool!
DeleteSouthwest Ohio is soccer-mad, and has been since around the time my oldest daughter, now 53, started playing in third or fourth grade. She was left-footed, which is highly prized, and played fall, indoors, and spring, up until her second or third year of high school, when she broke her shoulder blade, of all things, playing goalie. She later played in adult leagues, leading to too many knee injuries. It was a sad day when they finally realized her son Zak was neither talented or interested in playing the game. For all the years I stood on the sidelines of a soccer field, I still barely understand the game, and couldn't tell you still what offsides means.
ReplyDeleteMy younger daughters were not drawn to soccer, except the youngest when she was in first grade. Which was a waste because she mainly sat in the middle of the field and picked dandelions. They were happier playing basketball (Grandpa came to all their games, saying they were more exciting than the college teams), and field sports, mostly cross-country. Which is really not much of a spectator sport, since all anyone can see is the start and the finish, but the team camaraderie was amazing. They both still run; Robin ran the equivalent of 18 marathons in 19 days, the entire coastline of Oregon, and she has run across the Grand Canyon, rim to rim, twice. Both of them climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro a couple years ago.
My coed Catholic high school in the 1960's had every sport you can think of for the boys, but the girls had intramural basketball (I didn't make the team, but I can still sink a basket), gymnastics, drill team, and cheerleading. Pathetic. Our gym teacher, Mrs. Sroufe, was the drill team coach, and that and personal cleanliness was about all she cared about.
We have FC Cincinnati here, with a shiny new fancy stadium I'm sure our taxes are paying for, but we don't participate, any more than we pay attention to the Reds or the Bengals. Bread and circuses are not my thing. Will we watch any of the Olympics? We might. When we were in Greece the torch ceremonies were held on the two nights we were out of Athens, but it was fun to imagine the ancient Games being held in that very spot.
Fond memories of passing gym in high school based on the extra points for clear “gym suits” every week. Mrs Sroufe’s influence spread all the way to CT! ;-) Elisabeth
DeleteYes, Elisabeth! So funny. Also, points for actually taking a shower, and not just pretending to do so.
DeleteThat is such an image, her picking dandelions!
DeleteYou knew there was going to be story – didn’t you?
ReplyDeleteWe are not a sports family. Hurrumper is apparently allergic to balls, and even attending anything involving balls. I played Field Hockey in college, but that is another 2 stories!
Kid 1 did a bit in high school, kid 2 is apparently his father’s son and not sports oriented, but he does watch his kid. Then there is kid 3.
Soccer – he loves soccer because he can run and loves to run. He can score (striker), and think (wing or half), but he does defense. Why? Because he can run the field. From the back field to past all the fools trying to block him, and just plop it in the goal or give it to someone else to do the job. Run. Yes, he loves it.
Before we knew this, he started running in high school. Lucky for him, one of the older kids took him aside and taught him to run properly. Form follows function. Head up, legs out, long stride, watch where you are going, move your arms to suit the motion, the whole thing. He was a natural. When he first started, he would say to me that he was going off for a run while I started supper. Not long later he was back. Where did you go, I asked? Up to the highway. That is 5 kms. Yup. Whattt???
I never missed a practice. I never missed a run. He went from doing well with no effort, to me standing with the parents watching the ‘end of the event’ as they cheered the pack on. The kid had looped them and already come in and won the race!
But the best of all was the beauty. He loved the act of running and it showed in every stride. Other parents could be heard mumbling “watch that boy go – it was a picture of beauty in motion.’ What I saw was the ease of movement as he cruised along, and then like a great horse, there was just a twitch, the head would come up, and what looked like from nowhere came the speed, the joy, and the euphoria for him.
He loves to run!
(Sad update, is that he went to university to for the team and possibly more, and spragged his legs. He spent a year in rehab, and never got ‘that glory’ back. He still (32) plays soccer – and runs.)
From Celia: Margo, I am so sorry that your son’s running came to a painful stop but I’m glad he found a way to continue to enjoy his gift. So painful to watch a child hit the wall and not be able to fix it.
DeleteSuch a story..awww...xx
DeleteI am headed to an event! More to come later today… Love these comments, you all!
ReplyDeleteFrom Celia: we didn’t play sports at my boarding school we played Games. Athletics in the summer along with tennis on the bumpiest grass courts ever! Winter was lacrosse! Say no more and I was the worst or the worst. My daughter played grade school soccer, but moved to club rugby at college which she loved particularly the keg runs.
ReplyDeleteBut with two grandsons it’s been sports all the way with lax leading. So they are interested that granny played lac at school and I did go full disclosure about my level of skill or lack thereof.
We’ll try to watch the Olympics but past experience says only sports where Americans are top will be shown and I think that’s sad.
You know , I wonder about that. And I will watch for it.
DeleteLoved sports as a kid. Played soccer, field hockey, tennis, gymnastics in high school. We didn't have private organized after school sports like the kids (fortunately) have today. As an adult, I was an avid swimmer both ocean water and pool. As a young kid we always played kick ball, steal the bacon, jump rope, etc in the street. I'd like to play pickle ball as it looks like a lot of fun and much easier the tennis (which I loved to play but was not the greatest).
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems like pickleball is easier... or at least less stressful.
DeletePhys Ed in my school involved lining up. A lot of lining up. And dodge ball (we learned to duck). And more lining up. My younger daughter played all kinds of sports including soccer and you bet I went to all the games and meets. Now my granddaughter is a gymnast. Different world.
ReplyDeleteAND the choosing of teams. Horrible.
DeleteI was a short, skinny, unco-ordinated girl. With glasses. Let's say gym was not my favorite. The only, only time I paid attention to sports was a lifetime ago, with the NY Knicks in their glory days. Everyone was paying attention to that and it was pretty exciting to watch. But I have two grandaughters - the younger was in 2nd grade this year - and they both played on basketball teams and loved it.Funny to see the determination of these tiny girls. They have been to see womens' pro basketball - live! - met some of the players, and it was a thrill. Good for them!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO great! (And you and me, Triss, big thumbs down for gym class.)
DeleteWe never had gym class or physical education, or whatever, in elementary school or high school. Then I went to college, where physical education classes were mandatory. My first semester In Freshman year we had a class called Physical Fitness. I’ve always been clumsy. All I remember about the class is that I could not keep up with my classmates, but I have no recollection whatsoever of what we did. I transferred to another college before I would have had to take the mandatory swimming class. I was (and am) terrified of the water, and was so relieved that my new college didn’t require swimming, or even have a swimming pool!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Olympics, I’ll try to catch swimming and gymnastics on Peacock. And maybe the opening and closing ceremonies.
DebRo
You hate swimming, but you'll watch swimming!
DeleteI'm becoming a fan of a sport I never in a million years thought I'd enjoy: Formula 1 Racing. Youngest caught the bug, God knows how, and has become a rabid (and very well-informed) fan over the past two years. Now she's got ME watching races when she's down for the weekend. And I love it! As someone who poo-poo'd any racing that didn't involve horses, it's quite a revelation.
ReplyDeleteNow, to plan to attend a race in person while visiting Youngest once she's in grad school in the Netherlands...
Julia, Harrumper loves Formula 1. I, early in our marriage learned some important names, and would ask important questions on the 1 1/2 hr drive from Ottawa to home and would ask some bit of foolishness about Mario Andretti, and he would blabber on for a while as I slept. When it got quiet again I would come up with another piece of drivel - I had no idea what he was talking about but it kept him awake! We took kid 2 to the Grand Prix in Montreal when he was in a stroller and you could buy a ticket without having to sell your first born - very, very loud! Try the Formula 1 series on Netflix - they have been running for several seasons now. They actually are quite interesting which means that I mostly do not nap through them.
DeleteWHoa. That is surprising!
DeleteFrom Diana: Great topic today, Hank. I remember the first time I heard of the World Cup in the 1990s. Now I am learning about women’s soccer (Football in England) doing the World Cup too. In high school, my physical education class sometimes had us play soccer and I was good at that. Princess Charlotte of Wales loves the women’s football team.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up, I started ice skating lessons a few months before my third birthday. I finally started skating on my own one day when I was 6 years old. It took me a long time to gain the ability to skate on my own.
Regarding the Olympics, I will be watching the figure skating for Winter and the Equestrian for the Summer. Loved to watch the beauty of the figure skating on television when the 📺 is working. I remember the feeling when I skated on the ice.
SO agree...Ice skating can be magicla!
DeleteWe are big (American) football and baseball fans. I only care about watching the 49ers so not all football. In the Olympics we have become fans of water polo (our son played in high school and introduced us to a fun new sport), especially the women. We also watch the swimming, gymnastics and some track events in the summer games. In winter we used to watch ice skating like rabid fans (going to the touring shows after the Olympics), but a bit less rabidly now. And skiing, hockey, speed skating. As for soccer, we have recently attended the San Diego Wave women’s soccer games. I don’t know a lot about soccer, but the women are fun to watch and I enjoy seeing the excitement of the young girls watching them. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteOh yes, seeing young girls captivated by sports is wonderful!
DeleteI love women's basketball, living in CT for almost 35 years. And I do enjoy golf and tennis on TV. We will definitely watch the olympics, especially since it will feature Paris!
ReplyDeleteI played basketball in high school -- not very well, despite being 6' tall. I was more of a volleyball gal (still play in a rec league with the Hub) but we didn't have a v-ball team so I leaned into band and choir. I think it's thrilling that there's so many sports teams for girl in school now but this travel team stuff seems excessive but I digress. As for the Olympics - OH, YEAH! Love me some Olympics!!!
ReplyDeleteMy mother, who was born in 1910, played on the girls' basketball team in high school, and they were championship material. So, she loved basketball the rest of her life, but especially watching my brother play in high school and our University of Kentucky men's Wildcats. I find it so interesting that way back when she was in high school, they had girls' basketball, but when I went to high school in late 60s and early 70s, we didn't have a girls team. I was a cheerleader, but it was only boys who played the basketball. They reinstated football (boys, of course) my freshman year of high school. But, no soccer or tennis (both which are both big in my high school for boys and girls now), track and field, and volleyball. All those came much later. Still no swimming team. My granddaughter is on the swimming team for her , plus she does cross country and has tried soccer and tennis.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in Paris the first week of May, they were putting up spectator stands and getting ready for the Olympics. What I thought was odd was that it was slim pickings on finding any Olympic wear or souvenirs yet. I was able to grab a few things at the airport on the way home. I'm most looking forward to the swimming and the gymnastics this year, but I also like the women's beach volleyball and the men's basketball. I usually end up getting interested in the soccer, too.
Definitely watching the Olympics! I attended the games in Munich and volunteered at the games in Vancouver ❤️
ReplyDeleteI'm not very athletically inclined (got a D in gym until my mom explained to the teacher that not everyone was the next Olympic gymnast and maybe grade on effort instead of ability when it was clear ability was a nonstarter - talk about embarrassing!) but I have always been inspired and awed by ice dancing, skiing and gymnastics. When I think of the hours of training and sheer athleticism that allows the Olympic athletes to make it look effortless, I am truly humbled.
ReplyDeleteI won a trip to the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA, and it was an incredible experience. Granted, the tickets I received were to field hockey (didn't understand it at all, but was happy to be there), track events and early rounds of men's basketball (didn't even know Egypt had a basketball team). If you are ever able, make your way to the Olympics. It is a truly international atmosphere, and you meet the most fascinating folks. I sat next to a retired Czech gymnast at the field hockey event. Where else was that ever going to happen to me? -- Victoria
I do not have a sporty bone in my body and my parents only liked golf and horseracing, so I didn't grow up watching sports, either. But I learned to like soccer (football!) when I lived in the UK, and my daughter played, as does my granddaughter. I love watching the football in the pubs in London! And a big yes on the Olympics, both summer and winter. My daughter was a gymnast, as is granddaughter, so I especially enjoy the gymnastics.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to watching the men's basketball team!
ReplyDeleteTrying to catch up! More to come!
ReplyDeleteSoccer and Field Hockey were not offered in our school system. Basketball was my sport and
ReplyDeleteI was a season ticket holder for the Boston Celtics prior to Covid for 29 years. With the Olympics monopolizing TV this summer, my priority will be movies, books and travel! Alicia Kullas