Sports in AmericaSports in America

Watching or attending sports events Watching or attending sports events is an important part of the lives of is an important part of the lives of many Americans. What are some of many Americans. What are some of these sports, and how they affect the these sports, and how they affect the lives of people?lives of people?

Chapter 11Chapter 11

FootballFootball Many Americans attend the “tailgate” party for Many Americans attend the “tailgate” party for

the football game. For those many other the football game. For those many other thousands not actually attending the game, a thousands not actually attending the game, a party nonetheless is held in front of a TV set.party nonetheless is held in front of a TV set.

There are now twenty four teams divided into two There are now twenty four teams divided into two conferences, the American Football Conference conferences, the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).(AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

Professional sports in America is entertainment, Professional sports in America is entertainment, especially football.especially football.

Interest in professional football suddenly Interest in professional football suddenly increased with the advent of color television.increased with the advent of color television.

FootballFootball The largest stadium today is the Pontiac Silverdome iThe largest stadium today is the Pontiac Silverdome i

n Michigan with a capacity of a little over 80 000 seats, n Michigan with a capacity of a little over 80 000 seats, and the smallest is the Oakland Coliseum in California and the smallest is the Oakland Coliseum in California seating just 50 000 people. Many stadiums today have seating just 50 000 people. Many stadiums today have a large screen visible from the seating area and capabla large screen visible from the seating area and capable of displaying a television picture.e of displaying a television picture.

In addition to professional football, most colleges and In addition to professional football, most colleges and universities have a varsity football team, with additionuniversities have a varsity football team, with additional personnel in a marching band and a squad of cheerlal personnel in a marching band and a squad of cheerleaders, whose task is to lead the spectators in cheerineaders, whose task is to lead the spectators in cheering for their team.g for their team.

One reason football is so popular in America may be tOne reason football is so popular in America may be that the game combines teamwork with individual prohat the game combines teamwork with individual prowess in a rough, contact competition.wess in a rough, contact competition.

How the Game Is PlayedHow the Game Is Played The two opposing teams place eleven players on The two opposing teams place eleven players on

the field at one time. The team having possession the field at one time. The team having possession of the football is the offense whose object is to of the football is the offense whose object is to advance the ball over the defense’s goal line. advance the ball over the defense’s goal line.

The offense must advance at least ten yards in The offense must advance at least ten yards in four attempts (called downs) otherwise the four attempts (called downs) otherwise the defensive team gains possession of the ball and defensive team gains possession of the ball and thus becomes the offense.thus becomes the offense.

If the offense believes it will fail to make the If the offense believes it will fail to make the requisite ten yards, it will usually kick the ball on requisite ten yards, it will usually kick the ball on the fourth down, so that when the defense takes the fourth down, so that when the defense takes possession it will be that much farther back from possession it will be that much farther back from their desired goal. This kick is called a punt.their desired goal. This kick is called a punt.

How the Game Is PlayedHow the Game Is Played A team scores 6 points for a touchdown, running A team scores 6 points for a touchdown, running

or passing the ball over the opponent’s goal line. or passing the ball over the opponent’s goal line. At that stage, the team can earn one additional At that stage, the team can earn one additional point by kicking the ball through the goal posts, a point by kicking the ball through the goal posts, a Point After Touchdown (PAT).Point After Touchdown (PAT).

There are four quarters of playing time lasting 15 There are four quarters of playing time lasting 15 minutes for each quarter. At the end of an hour of minutes for each quarter. At the end of an hour of playing, the team with the most points wins. In playing, the team with the most points wins. In college football, there could be a tie. But in college football, there could be a tie. But in professional football, the game will continue for professional football, the game will continue for additional 15 minute periods until one team additional 15 minute periods until one team scores.scores.

The Pontiac Silverdome American Football

Baseball Baseball Introduction:Introduction: Baseball may still be the great American game, even tBaseball may still be the great American game, even t

hough many other countries are deeply involved with hough many other countries are deeply involved with the game. Professional baseball is still “big businesthe game. Professional baseball is still “big business”.s”.

Earlier, before television and air travel, professional bEarlier, before television and air travel, professional baseball was confined to a few cities mostly, but not exaseball was confined to a few cities mostly, but not exclusively, on the East coast.clusively, on the East coast.

Today, the largest baseball stadium is the home field Today, the largest baseball stadium is the home field of the California Angels, Anaheim Stadium, which holdof the California Angels, Anaheim Stadium, which holds almost 65 000 spectators. While older Fenway Park, ts almost 65 000 spectators. While older Fenway Park, the home of the Boston Red Sox, hold only 34 000 fans.he home of the Boston Red Sox, hold only 34 000 fans.

Baseball Baseball

Development:Development: Before WWBefore WWⅡ, Ⅱ, there were two major leagues, or there were two major leagues, or

groupings, of baseball teams, The older National groupings, of baseball teams, The older National League and the American League. A third League and the American League. A third professional grouping was the Negro League, a professional grouping was the Negro League, a reflection of the segregation policies prevalent reflection of the segregation policies prevalent then even in Northern cities.then even in Northern cities.

There was a period of hero worship, the era of the There was a period of hero worship, the era of the Lone Eagle, Lindbergh, who conquered the Lone Eagle, Lindbergh, who conquered the Atlantic Ocean. And in the present, sports heroes Atlantic Ocean. And in the present, sports heroes could also serve to remind Americans that could also serve to remind Americans that talented individuals can succeed through hard talented individuals can succeed through hard work.work.

BaseballBaseball The radio announcers broadcasting descriptions The radio announcers broadcasting descriptions

of the games, and newspaper columnists writing of the games, and newspaper columnists writing about the games, exaggerated the exploits on the about the games, exaggerated the exploits on the field and idealized the personal lives of players, field and idealized the personal lives of players, thus actually creating many of the colorful heroes thus actually creating many of the colorful heroes of this time. of this time.

After WWAfter WWⅡⅡ , great changes in the game took , great changes in the game took place.place.

1. There was the demolition of the color barrier, 1. There was the demolition of the color barrier, starting slowly with the hiring of the superb starting slowly with the hiring of the superb athlete, African-American Jackie Robinson.athlete, African-American Jackie Robinson.

2. Gradually all teams have become integrated. 2. Gradually all teams have become integrated. The courage and determination of Jackie Robison The courage and determination of Jackie Robison will never be forgotten.will never be forgotten.

BaseballBaseball

Improved transportation led to the wider Improved transportation led to the wider distribution of teams; cities that formerly distribution of teams; cities that formerly had two teams lost one to cities that had had two teams lost one to cities that had no local baseball team. A modest number no local baseball team. A modest number of new teams were created.of new teams were created.

The baseball season now begins with The baseball season now begins with Spring Training in February at places such Spring Training in February at places such as Florida and Arizona.as Florida and Arizona.

Major league baseball stadiums have Major league baseball stadiums have gotten larger and larger in recent times.gotten larger and larger in recent times.

How the Game Is PlayedHow the Game Is Played Baseball is one of the few team sports that is not Baseball is one of the few team sports that is not

controlled by a clock; the location of the ball controlled by a clock; the location of the ball determines the play of the game. determines the play of the game.

The pitcher of the defensive team throws the ball The pitcher of the defensive team throws the ball towards the home plate at a speed often over 150 towards the home plate at a speed often over 150 km/hr. km/hr.

A single player of the offensive team, the team at A single player of the offensive team, the team at bat, attempts to hit the baseball somewhere in bat, attempts to hit the baseball somewhere in fair territory outlined by the lines running to the fair territory outlined by the lines running to the right over first base and to the left over third right over first base and to the left over third base.base.

Scoring occurs when a batter travels around all Scoring occurs when a batter travels around all the bases and returns to home plate.the bases and returns to home plate.

How the Game Is PlayedHow the Game Is Played The visiting team is at bat first. When the batting The visiting team is at bat first. When the batting

team registers three outs, the two teams switch team registers three outs, the two teams switch positions.positions.

Home runs are always exciting, especially when Home runs are always exciting, especially when there are additional players on the bases.there are additional players on the bases.

There are other rules and regulations for the There are other rules and regulations for the game of baseball. Baseball is a game of strategy game of baseball. Baseball is a game of strategy within the framework of rules, so a full within the framework of rules, so a full appreciation of the game requires a detailed appreciation of the game requires a detailed knowledge of the rules. Still, one can always knowledge of the rules. Still, one can always enjoy the drinks and snack food on a hot, lazy enjoy the drinks and snack food on a hot, lazy summer afternoon.summer afternoon.

BasketballBasketball Basketball was deliberately created in 1891 by a physiBasketball was deliberately created in 1891 by a physi

cal education teacher in Massachusetts, Canadian-borcal education teacher in Massachusetts, Canadian-born James Naismith, to provide an indoor sports activity n James Naismith, to provide an indoor sports activity during the snowy winter months when outdoor playinduring the snowy winter months when outdoor playing fields could not be used.g fields could not be used.

In recent times, a new rule requires a team to try to scIn recent times, a new rule requires a team to try to score within a brief time: 35 seconds in the collegiate gaore within a brief time: 35 seconds in the collegiate game, 30 seconds in international play, and 24 seconds ime, 30 seconds in international play, and 24 seconds in American professional play. Basketball therefore is a n American professional play. Basketball therefore is a fast game, which does not permit leisurely snacking.fast game, which does not permit leisurely snacking.

Invented in 1891, basketball had its first professional tInvented in 1891, basketball had its first professional team in 1896. but it wasn’t until 1950 that the Nationeam in 1896. but it wasn’t until 1950 that the National Basketball Association of professional team was estal Basketball Association of professional team was established.ablished.

NBA

BasketballBasketball In 1979 two college players, Larry Bird of Indiana In 1979 two college players, Larry Bird of Indiana

State University and Magic Johnson of Michigan State University and Magic Johnson of Michigan State University motivated an increased interest State University motivated an increased interest in the game through their friendly rivalry. Bird in the game through their friendly rivalry. Bird subsequently joined the Boston Celtics, and subsequently joined the Boston Celtics, and Johnson the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams Johnson the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams dominated the professional game through the dominated the professional game through the 1980’s and even into the 1990’s.1980’s and even into the 1990’s.

At the collegiate level, teams play a schedule of At the collegiate level, teams play a schedule of games based on both the geographical location of games based on both the geographical location of the university and its size and resources.the university and its size and resources.

How the Game Is PlayedHow the Game Is Played A basketball court can vary slightly in dimensions, A basketball court can vary slightly in dimensions,

but all approximately 26m long and 15m wide. At but all approximately 26m long and 15m wide. At each end a basket is fixed to a board about 3.1 m each end a basket is fixed to a board about 3.1 m from the floor.from the floor.

The object of the game is to drop the basketball The object of the game is to drop the basketball into the net, usually by shooting the ball into the into the net, usually by shooting the ball into the air so that it drops in.air so that it drops in.

If a player sinks a basket by throwing the ball If a player sinks a basket by throwing the ball from a distance of about 6m, the team is awarded from a distance of about 6m, the team is awarded 3 points. If a player is closer than that, the team 3 points. If a player is closer than that, the team receives 2 points.receives 2 points.

Players commit a foul if they touch another Players commit a foul if they touch another player. The player receiving a foul is awarded a player. The player receiving a foul is awarded a free throw from a distance about 4.6m in front of free throw from a distance about 4.6m in front of the net.the net.

How the Game Is PlayedHow the Game Is Played The challenge in the game arises from the rule that The challenge in the game arises from the rule that

players may not carry the ball. A player can throw the players may not carry the ball. A player can throw the ball to a team mate, or he can bounce the ball on the ball to a team mate, or he can bounce the ball on the floor as he moves around the court.floor as he moves around the court.

The defensive players naturally try to intercept a pass, The defensive players naturally try to intercept a pass, or steal the ball while it is being dribbled. The defense or steal the ball while it is being dribbled. The defense also tries to prevent the offense from shooting the ball also tries to prevent the offense from shooting the ball before the shot clock expires.before the shot clock expires.

There are five players on each team, and collegiate There are five players on each team, and collegiate games last forty minutes, while professional games go games last forty minutes, while professional games go on for forty eight minutes. All games are broken into on for forty eight minutes. All games are broken into quarter periods of play measured by a game clock.quarter periods of play measured by a game clock.

If the score is tied at the end of the regular game If the score is tied at the end of the regular game period, additional overtime periods are played until period, additional overtime periods are played until one team emerge as the winner.one team emerge as the winner.

Other Sports ActivitiesOther Sports Activities One sport that has been One sport that has been

gaining in popularity is gaining in popularity is ice hockey.ice hockey.

Americans support Americans support racing of all sorts: racing of all sorts: horses, dogs, horses, dogs, automobiles, and automobiles, and bicycles.bicycles.

The intensely individual The intensely individual sports of golf and sports of golf and bowling bowling

Professional wrestling, Professional wrestling, and boxing, etc.and boxing, etc.

Ice hockeyIce hockey

DiscussionDiscussion 1.Why do you think a lot of people love sports? In 1.Why do you think a lot of people love sports? In

what way do sports reflect American culture?what way do sports reflect American culture?

2.Football, baseball, and basketball are the three 2.Football, baseball, and basketball are the three most popular sports in the US. Are they popular in most popular sports in the US. Are they popular in China? why/why not?China? why/why not?

3.Comment on the role of television in sports 3.Comment on the role of television in sports competition. Do you like to watch a match via competition. Do you like to watch a match via television at home or would you prefer to watch television at home or would you prefer to watch in the stadium?in the stadium?