MARILYN CORNWELL: ball

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

July 31 2024 - Running with the Ball

We love to run. And with a ball in our hands, it seems even more fulfilling. It starts very young, I think.

That's my theory to explain why there are so many ball running sports. Whether the ball is in our hands, that's a big item of comparison. Here's what the summaries are for how the sports differ:

Football, rugby, and soccer each have rules and regulations specific to them.
In football, 11 players are on the field for the 60-minute game, and points range from 6 points (touchdown) to 1 point (kick). In rugby, 15 players are on the field for the 80-minute game, and the ball cannot be passed forward in a game. In soccer, 11 players are on the field for the 90-minute game, and players cannot use their hands.

Soccer is a game where a player predominantly soccers the ball around. Rugby is a game where the players predominantly throw the ball backwards and run forwards and may be tackled. Football is a game which involves some kicking of the ball.

Rugby is the most brutal and dangerous of all three sports
The scoring systems of Football and Rugby are very similar
Rugby players use the least amount of equipment between all three sports
Substitutions in Rugby are only available upon serious injuries

It looks like Football has different variations in different countries. It seems to me that American and Canadian football are substantially different than football in Commonwealth-based countries. Is that the case?

What are some questions people ask?

Is rugby harder than football?
Rugby often stands out as a tougher and more challenging game

Is rugby more posh than football?
There are two types of rugby: Rugby League and Rugby Union. In England, Rugby Union is often viewed as a middle/upper class version of football (soccer) and is sometimes called 'rugger'.

Why is rugby less popular than football?
The complexity of the game

Why do Americans insist on calling the game they play with their hands "football" and the game they play with their feet "soccer"?
... many answers follow...all very entertaining HERE.

Maybe balls and running extends to many species. What about balls and dogs? I found this joke below in a search on my MAC.

Here is a soccer ball - this one was in the financial district a few years ago at the BMO headquarters - they were promoting young people's soccer sponsorship.

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Monday, February 7, 2022

Feb 7 2022 - Let's Play Ball - In a Bubble

Bubbles used to mean champagne for adults and blowing bubbles with soap in the back yard for kids. And then the pandemic gave us a few additions. Now it relates to pandemic techniques to minimize the spread of the disease by socializing with a limited cluster of people outside your household. And there are travel bubbles - agreements between two or more countries to open their borders for travel without strict quarantine. And finally the biggest of them all - the Olympics Bubble underway right now in Beijing.

But there is another Bubble - the joy of Bubble Sports. Here's how it works - we each get into a big plastic bubble that surrounds us from head to thighs, and then run around on a field and play soccer. This is a popular activity. Here are a few rules meant for only this sport:

Each player must be in a “Battle Ball” prior to stepping on the field. The equipment shall be worn fully-inflated and over the shoulders with shoulder straps that are snug to ensure that the player is secured tightly inside the ball.

Players must wear tennis shoes or turf shoes, soccer cleats will not be allowed. Shin guards and kneepads are recommended but not required.

No jewelry or other sharp objects may be worn during play or in the Battle Ball. Glasses may be used, however will need to be worn with an eyewear retainer to keep them on the player at all times.

And an interesting approach to gender in sport from one of the sites: Every individual participating in a program may compete as a member of the gender that they identify with, regardless of their gender at birth. We expect all players to be respectful and honor the spirit of this policy. We are LGBTQIA+ friendly (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and other sexualities and gender identities/expressions). This one's not getting to the Olympics any time soon.

So how is it that I missed a sport like this for more than 10 years? Bubble Soccer first made its debut in 2011 in Norway. Two friends - Henrik Elvestad and Johan Golden - started it as a joke and then video was released of them playing the sport. It spread across social media platforms and became popular as a real activity. I am looking forward to finding a Bubble Soccer team this summer and watching this bouncy game.

A few more bubble sports are available:

Bubble bowling - you are completely in a bubble and walk it to the life-size pins at the end of the bouncy pad
Bubble Sumo - that seems self-evident to me
Bubble water walking - it is actually called zorbing. Look at it HERE.

You can buy your own bubble and join a team. I expect you can just bounce around in your back yard - it looks like fun to be bouncing off of another bumper ball wearer. One of the ads calls this a Giant Human Hamster Knocker Ball. Prices vary from $30 to $700.

Today's picture is a Miltonia Orchid. I guess I am missing the Orchid Show for another year, as it normally occurs right around Valentine's week. This plant was at Longwood Gardens a few years ago during their orchid festival.