Baseball vs. Soccer: popularity in the US

[The_Lillard_King]

Is there really any debate? America's favorite pastime vs a sport dominated by countries outside the US. But I sense a shift occurring in US. I haven't seen any studies and this is just my of own thoughts as I haven't read any articles about this but I think soccer is going to surpass America's pastime in the US in the coming decade.

My proof: well I will admit I don't really have anything real substantial. The world cup drew a lot of interest and got solid ratings in the US. Some soccer players in the MLS are starting to make some serious cash and MLS is starting to draw some real talent. MLS attendance is up. A baseball game is too damn long in today's society and I did read that baseball fans are an older generation. Baseball attendance is down and baseball cards are out.

And the reason I am writing this is I went to a sports bar tonight and they were showing more soccer games than baseball games with the buzz being around the screens showing soccer games. I then come home and read that a soccer game at Michigan Stadium tonight set a record for attendance of a soccer game in the US with 109,000 in attendance (a "friendly" game at that).

Even last year's Ohio State game didn't turn the stadium as red as Manchester United fans did during their team's 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in front of the largest crowd in American soccer history.
The game drew 109,318 fans, easily surpassing the record of 101,799, set by the France-Brazil Olympic gold-medal game at the Rose Bowl in 1984.


I'm not an anti-baseball person. In fact it was the sporting event I attended the most as a youth. I used to love baseball, still enjoy it and play on a seasonal softball team. But baseball is losing attendance, takes a long time and is turning into an archaic sport. Love it or hate it, I see soccer slowly turning into a major sport in the US to the point of someday taking over baseball in popularity.

That's right I said it . . .

 

[tlongII]

I agree. Might take more than 10 years though.

 

[Strenuus]

riding the wave of world cup. It'll be a fad again in a few years, and lose popularity in the non-mls cities.

Only sport even more boring? Football. The american one. Worst sport out there.

 

[barfo]

Soccer takes a long time too. Hell, all sports take too long, now that I think about it. America needs some good 5-minute sports to match our attention spans.

barfo

 

[The_Lillard_King]

The woman's professional soccer team drew more attendance tonight in Ptd than the Tampa Bay Ray are average per game this year. Woman's soccer . . .

 

[riverman]

I see kids playing baseball in public parks all around the US. Rarely even see a kid kicking a soccer ball down the street. I don't think it'll surpass baseball in the US anytime soon if ever. I like soccer and rugby. I like rugby more than American football but baseball is way better than cricket. The biggest reason I doubt soccer will be a major spectator sport in the states is we need a winner here. We won't watch too many 0-0 games without eventually losing interest.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

The All-Star festivities around the city is VERY impressive. You couldn't do this with the Blazers - the weather wouldn't allow it.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I see kids playing baseball in public parks all around the US. Rarely even see a kid kicking a soccer ball down the street. I don't think it'll surpass baseball in the US anytime soon if ever. I like soccer and rugby. I like rugby more than American football but baseball is way better than cricket. The biggest reason I doubt soccer will be a major spectator sport in the states is we need a winner here. We won't watch too many 0-0 games without eventually losing interest.

America’s pastime appears to be striking out with today’s youth.

Baseball program officials around North Jersey report declines in the number of kids signing up for baseball, mirroring a national trend.

In stark examples, participation in youth baseball in Cresskill, Paramus, Clifton, Montclair, Westwood, Closter, Demarest, Haworth and Glen Rock has lagged over the past five years, recreation leaders say.

Many children have moved on to other activities, such as lacrosse and soccer, observed Haworth Baseball Commissioner Bruce Celotto, who said his registration numbers have dropped 40 percent in the past five years: “It used to be too many kids would show up. Now we are lucky if we get seven kids.”

The number of children age 6 and up playing on teams nationally dropped to 12 million in 2012, from 16 million in 2007, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association.

Experts attribute the loss of interest to a variety of factors, including a recent wealth of choices, changing demographics and the psychology of today’s youth.

Marty Maciaszek, a spokesman for the National Sporting Goods Association, which showed a drop of 24 percent in baseball participation between 2004 and 2012, points to the recent emphasis on elite travel teams and obsession with electronic games.

Some local baseball overseers believe they’re a casualty of soccer, lacrosse and other newly popular sports, which often require year-round participation, even on the elementary school level.

Demarest Baseball Commissioner Don Morgan cites a 20 percent drop in registrations: “The demographics in our area have changed and there’s other sports played in the spring, so kids have more choices now. They’re all into soccer and lacrosse.”



http://www.northjersey.com/sports/n...er-kids-on-deck-1.735797#sthash.4QBnq29Z.dpuf


I agree with the 0-0 tie. But baseball averaging 3 hrs a game and people leaving games in the 12 or 13 inning not having the time to wait around to see who wins is also a bad formula. I like what hockey did when they instituted the shootout to decide a game . . . now that is american style sports. Football will always be king in the US.

 

[blue32]

Baseball is just too boring to watch on TV. Way to slow paced. Love Soccer for their no-nonsense continuous action w/o commercials.

Football is getting ridiculous too w/the commercials, but at least the smashing of bodies every play alleviates the massive TV breaks.

 

[illmatic99]

I absolutely abhor baseball. Too many useless stats, too many useless breaks, and way too long. I hate agreeing with a blowhard like Colin Cowherd, but he's right when he says that baseball appeals to a weak market (older generation that is already set in its ways and won't generate much ad revenue).

On a sorta similar note, I hate football as well. And living in the midwest, it's not a popular opinion, but the sport does nothing for me. I'd rather watch summer league bball than the 4-5hr superbowl.

Soccer has its faults, but I love the nonstop action. And you're in and out in 2hrs-- seriously, what is exciting about a 15 inning baseball game that ends at 1am in freakin July? I've even started playing pickup soccer because it's great exercise and I need a ball in front of me if I'm gonna run. This would be the perfect opportunity for the MLS to capture a growing market-- grab some of the bigger names, and watch the interest skyrocket even further.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Lacrosse? The fuck? For realz?

 

[Minstrel]

Lacrosse is the ninth fastest-growing stick-wielding sport in North America.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Soccer rules! Baseball drools!

 

[Minstrel]

Soccer is a kid's game.

 

[Natebishop3]

I used to really enjoy watching the MLB playoffs. I think all the problems that can be attributed to baseball, go away in the postseason.

Full stadiums.

Loud crowds.

Games that matter.

The beef that I have with pro baseball is that there's:

1) too many games

2) no sense of urgency

Who cares if you lose a game to a rival because you're just going to play them again tomorrow. The Red Sox and the Yankees play each other three games in a row. Who cares if you drop one?

In the NBA you might play a rival three times all year, or in the NFL you might play them twice. It's really vital that the Niners win against the Seahawks in the two games that they play because that could mean the difference in making the post season. There simply isn't that kind of urgency in baseball. They play way too many games, and the pace of the sport is slow anyway, so there's no real reason to get into the games.

The postseason changes all that. I used to love watching the Indians, Braves, and Mariners in the postseason of the late 90's. Very fun to watch. Some of those Red Sox/Yankee matchups were epic. if they could take that kind of excitement and match it during the regular season, even on a smaller scale, I think baseball would be more fun to watch, but they can't. You can't replicate that excitement when you're playing 162 games.

 

[Wheels]

Alright lets put this demographic thing to the test in here. Yuyuza had a very good point here.

. I hate agreeing with a blowhard like Colin Cowherd, but he's right when he says that baseball appeals to a weak market (older generation that is already set in its ways and won't generate much ad revenue).

It does appear there may be an age gap of those who are pro soccer, and those who brush it off as a fad, in here.

I'm 28 and pro soccer.

Go!

 

[Strenuus]

I will say that if they started the Baseball season on Memorial Day weekend, it'd be a lot better. They do need to shorten the season for sure, but you know Owners are not going to go for it.

 

[Natebishop3]

I will say that if they started the Baseball season on Memorial Day weekend, it'd be a lot better. They do need to shorten the season for sure, but you know Owners are not going to go for it.

They play twice as many games as the NBA. I just think it's ridiculous. It says a lot about the rigors of basketball, football, and soccer.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

They play twice as many games as the NBA. I just think it's ridiculous. It says a lot about the rigors of basketball, football, and soccer.

I thought guys like Cecil Fielder and John Kruk said a lot about the rigors of baseball.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Alright lets put this demographic thing to the test in here. Yuyuza had a very good point here.



It does appear there may be an age gap of those who are pro soccer, and those who brush it off as a fad, in here.

I'm 28 and pro soccer.

Go!

I'm 32 and pro both baseball and soccer. I love sports in general. I can see why people struggle with both sports. I mean, baseball is a long season, but aside from that, it has a lot to offer. Soccer is slow and nothing may happen for 90 minutes excite 2 seconds of excitement. I can definitely see why interest picks up for the Olympics or World Cup - it adds intensity to every minute. Soccer is gaining in popularity, but it has a long way to go before surpassing baseball in Amerca, and I don't expect to see it in my lifetime.

 

[Minstrel]

Hockey is a sport I can only enjoy during the Olympics and, at times, during the NHL playoffs.

The Olympics because they use a wider rink, so the game is a bit more open and free-flowing. Playoff hockey because it feels a little more intense.

 

[Strenuus]

Hockey is a sport I can only enjoy during the Olympics and, at times, during the NHL playoffs.

The Olympics because they use a wider rink, so the game is a bit more open and free-flowing. Playoff hockey because it feels a little more intense.

Hockey live trumps all on tv or live.

Football is the worst live. I went to 2 games at autzen stadium... I was bored out of my mind. and on tv it's even worse.

 

[Wheels]

I'm 32 and pro both baseball and soccer. I love sports in general. I can see why people struggle with both sports. I mean, baseball is a long season, but aside from that, it has a lot to offer. Soccer is slow and nothing may happen for 90 minutes excite 2 seconds of excitement. I can definitely see why interest picks up for the Olympics or World Cup - it adds intensity to every minute. Soccer is gaining in popularity, but it has a long way to go before surpassing baseball in Amerca, and I don't expect to see it in my lifetime.

I'm pro Baseball as well.

Thanks for age though. Not in the higher gap I notice

 

[illmatic99]

25- soccer vehemently over baseball.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I used to really enjoy watching the MLB playoffs. I think all the problems that can be attributed to baseball, go away in the postseason.

Full stadiums.

Loud crowds.

Games that matter.

The beef that I have with pro baseball is that there's:

1) too many games

2) no sense of urgency

Who cares if you lose a game to a rival because you're just going to play them again tomorrow. The Red Sox and the Yankees play each other three games in a row. Who cares if you drop one?

In the NBA you might play a rival three times all year, or in the NFL you might play them twice. It's really vital that the Niners win against the Seahawks in the two games that they play because that could mean the difference in making the post season. There simply isn't that kind of urgency in baseball. They play way too many games, and the pace of the sport is slow anyway, so there's no real reason to get into the games.

The postseason changes all that. I used to love watching the Indians, Braves, and Mariners in the postseason of the late 90's. Very fun to watch. Some of those Red Sox/Yankee matchups were epic. if they could take that kind of excitement and match it during the regular season, even on a smaller scale, I think baseball would be more fun to watch, but they can't. You can't replicate that excitement when you're playing 162 games.

I agree with a lot of this. I still love baseball playoffs and I think it would be shown that TV ratings for the world series is still high.

Personally I don't mind a 3 hr game if it is the post season with all the buzz in the air. But I really don't have time anymore to go to a regular season game for 3 hrs plus.

As far as the vote: 40's something who still puts baseball over soccer (because I grew up playing and watching baseball and idolizing baseball players).

But 10-20 yrs ago I could barely watch a soccer game and now I can get into a soccer game (non-stop action) and I can barely watch a whole baseball game unless post-season or something special about the game.

 

[Wheels]

25- soccer vehemently over baseball.

so far I'm sensing a pattern

 

[Minstrel]

so far I'm sensing a pattern

17. Baseball is the best sport in the world and soccer is for old people.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Baseball will be eclipsed by Cricket. "Football" is going down to Soccer in the near future. Especially when they sissify it just cuz every ex-player becomes a vegetable in 5 years.

 

[Wheels]

17. Baseball is the best sport in the world and soccer is for old people.

I cant count yours Minstrel as 80% of the forum still has the debate on if you are Male or Female

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Baseball was much better when they let the players take speed and steroids.