SPORTS

[cellboy]

As a man, a gay man, I am somewhat embarrassed to report that I do not know much about some of the popular sports. Especially of football and baseball. My dad was not a sports enthusiast, partly because growing up poor, in rual Quebec, he was not exposed to many sports in general. I tried to get him to come out to throw the ball with me, but he wouldn't. He played, and loved, tennis, struggled at golf and did some skiing. So in turn I did these things. But as for the All American sports? I am a bit knowledgeable of football, although I do need to read up on it. As for baseball, well, there is where I need some help. Even in the California public schools, I managed to play, but just did not get it completely.
At the bars, such as the Eagle, 440, or Lone Star, men are watching the sport when aired on the flat screens, but usually not many (of course they may be more interested in cruising at that moment instead). Although there are the gay teams that party in the bars at certain events. Are they the minority of gay sports lovers?

Are most gay American men totally familiar with these sports? Or not. Is being unfamiliar or uninterested in sports really common to the gay community, a gay characteristic?

So gay to say, but they do look so sexy in the uniforms. And BB players do have nice butts.

Comments

[hanks-lil-pit.livejournal.com]

I think it's like anything else, like you. Some are exposed, some not, some inherit the fervor, some don't. Just depends. Nurture versus nature, I guess.

My father wasn't the least bit interested in sports, but you show me a professional basketball game and I'm done. Tricks? More undone. Why? Couldn't tell you.

Now. Also remember (or rather be advised) that I came up under the presidential fitness test in the 80's, which basically means I had to learn every rule to every game known to man. Does make a difference, when you understand what is going on. I'm just saying.

*laughs*

Perhaps it is that I simply worship their physical prowess, as with the Frenchman, David Belle.

Hank

[cellboy.livejournal.com]

Basketball? What's t that? Just kidding! Yeah it really comes down to the nurture nature thing I guess.

[akil.livejournal.com]

My father wasn't into sports at all and, like yours, refused to throw a ball to me. When I was around 12, the guy across the street taught me how to throw a football.

Even though I suck at playing basketball, football, baseball, etc., I never once in my childhood shied away from playing. I wasn't so hyper-competitive or afraid to fail that I'd sit on the sidelines and sulk. I was always the last picked on the schoolyard or in the neighborhood for team but I went on the field and gave it my all anyway. Guys would make fun of the way I ran, I threw, I caught, but I was having fun. :)

So, into adulthood I don't have any negative associations with sports, athletes or team sports in general. I love going to ball games, especially at Pac Bell Park and I enjoy football games, too (going to the Raiders/Chargers game tomorrow!). One of my favorite things to do is to sit around with my partner's father or brothers and watch sports all day when we're back east ... most likely because I don't have anyone in my life here who would enjoy doing it.

I had a pair of tickets to a Giants game this past summer that I couldn't use. I couldn't find a gay man in the Bay Area who would take them off my hands, not even for free. I posted to my LJ, asked chat friends, sent e-mails, no luck.

Some guys just don't like sports. Gay or straight, it's not that uncommon. Some gay guys associate sports and athletes with the tormentors of their youths. Some play the games, some like the games ... and some just watch because of the hot guys in the uniforms. Shallow? Sure ... but perfectly valid. LOL

[cellboy.livejournal.com]

Hey. I would of snagged those tickets. Even though I suck at it, and don't understand all of it, I do like going to games. I grew up near Stanford U, so as a kid I rode my bike to the college games. I too was always put in right field, or the last one picked for basket ball. I did like soccer however.