Underrated Sports: Fun That Gets Overshadowed
By Isaac Krueger
With cooler weather approaching, many people will spend more time outdoors. Stereotypical fall sports like football, baseball and soccer will get most of the attention; however, there are many less mainstream sports that can be enjoyed beyond their 2 a.m. air times on ESPN.
Sports are enjoyed for various reasons: some people need to satisfy their competitive needs, others like them because they get to spend time with their friends and family and some just enjoy being outside and exercising. Whatever it may be, these underplayed sports can be enjoyed for the same reasons as the mainstream sports.
Spike Ball
Photo of Ian Busking (Center) taken by Isaac Krueger
Spike ball is a fairly simple game, though it can get intense at times. It has simple rules that can be mastered in a short amount of time, making spike ball a perfect game for tailgates, family events and general recreational use. The base kit, including the spike balls and net needed, can be purchased for around $60. It provides a unique skill set and can be very exciting to learn and master.
Disc Golf
Disc golf is exactly what it sounds like — golf played with discs. The holes are baskets that are specially designed to catch the disc. As in real golf, the objective is to complete each of the 18 holes in the least amount of strokes. There are many different types of discs. Players can choose the quality, price and quantity of their discs depending on their skill level and how serious they are about improving their game. These discs can be used in different situations, depending on the course. Around Owasso, there are courses at Centennial Park, Lake Valley and Mohawk, but disc golf courses can be found and enjoyed in parks all over the country. Rodney Foster just recently got into disc golf, but has quickly fallen in love with the sport.
He elaborates saying, “Disc golf brings a unique challenge of combining sports into a new format that can be challenging… no course is the same.”
Ultimate Frisbee
Ultimate Frisbee is a tremendous team sport, it requires team coordination as well as communication. All ultimate Frisbee requires is an open space, a disc or Frisbee and enough people, making it perfect for many fall occasions. Learning how to throw a Frisbee different ways and catch it is challenging, but that is what makes the sport interesting.
Pickleball
A common misconception is that pickleball is only for elderly people. However, it can be fun for young people too, and everyone in between. It is a mix of two sports, tennis and ping pong, which together make a strange, new experience. Ian Busking just recently got into pickleball and enjoys playing the sport for fun.
He comments, “The sport of pickleball is unique because it mixes two different sports and creates a whole new experience. There are some interesting rules but when you learn them it makes the game very addicting to play.”
While all of these sports might not be the big-named and high class sports, they are lots of fun to enjoy with many different audiences. From family gatherings to birthday parties, all of these games can be played with very little inconvenience. These games can be learned and loved by everyone alike.