More Sports Talk

   Just about 2 weeks ago, I blogged about the start of the NHL season, and wondered if a team from today could beat a team from 1963 using the old uniforms, equipment, arena etc. My heart said the 1960's team, but my head said 2013. Why? Training regimens are much better, and players are fitter.
   But that sparked a conversation between myself and several co-workers. We were wondering which professional sport has remained "purest", meaning with the least technical advances. Those with the most improvements include North American football, which has seen better helmets, padding, turf and even balls in the past 50 years. Golf has seen a huge improvement, with carbon fibre shafts, titanium heads, better shoes and spikes and even improved golf balls. Even basketball has seen better gear, with new shoes, court boards and net backstops.
   We then talked (at great length) about which sport has had the least "enhancements". European football (soccer, as it's called here) has seen new boots and balls, but that's about it. Tennis has new rackets and shoes, but that's about it. But the professional sport we agreed had the least technical advances is baseball. Bats and balls have changed very little over 50 years, and about the only advances have been in protection and shoes.
   The sport that's had the most technical advances: Motor racing. Look at the developments in both NASCAR and Formula 1. Safety alone has improved vastly. The cars are better. Heck, even the technical advances have been brought to our daily drive. My little Mitsubishi Lancer has front end crumple zones. A direct result of safety improvements in racing. Tires, brakes and suspension are all much better now than 50 years ago. Even things like flappy paddle gear shifters have been taken from F-1 cars. Not to mention carbon fibre bodies etc.
   So, next time you get behind the wheel to take in a hockey, football, soccer, golf, tennis, basketball or baseball game, give a nod to the people who've made our vehicles safer.

TTFN.