NO SPORT WASTES POTENTIAL LIKE TRACK AND FIELD

Nobody, and I mean nobody, wastes more talent than USA men's soccer.

Nobody, and I mean nobody, drives people out of the sport like USA Swimming.

JUstathought wrote:

Change my mind.

Well, you could look at MLB. There's a bit of nepotism / cronyism invovled in some people making the majors. Steve Sailer also pointed out over a decade ago that players from Latin America were getting the nod slightly more often than they should over American players when all stats were laid out - and others have pointed out that it's gotten worse since then (muh diversity). So that sport is squandering native born talent here and there. Sure, if you're Mike Trout you'll be fine. But otherwise...

At our school no sport has produced more scholarships for athletes than Track & Field. No sport at our school has had more athletes go to Ivy League schools than Track & Field.

Last year the only Ivy League student from the school was admitted because he was an All-American thrower. He was in no honors classes at the school.

The attrition rate due to injuries is enormous. Too many people who don't know jack squat about how to coach young middle and long distance runners and think they do just because sprinters, throwers, and jumpers respond well to coaching.

I don't think track and field wastes potential. I think the bigger issue is that a lot of potentially great athletes move on to other sports or "real" jobs because it's very hard to make a livable income as a professional runner.

What about USA wrestling and lifting? Given our population size one would imagine we would win more Olympic medals at those events.

the long ball wrote:

JUstathought wrote:

Change my mind.

Well, you could look at MLB. There's a bit of nepotism / cronyism invovled in some people making the majors. Steve Sailer also pointed out over a decade ago that players from Latin America were getting the nod slightly more often than they should over American players when all stats were laid out - and others have pointed out that it's gotten worse since then (muh diversity). So that sport is squandering native born talent here and there. Sure, if you're Mike Trout you'll be fine. But otherwise...

I've been an MLB fan for a long time and have never seen, or heard about a preference for Latin players. I'm a Red Sox fan and follow their minor league players and the ones that play well move up while the others don't.

Since I'd never heard of Sailer, I Googled him and he appears to be borderline racist and one of those guys that like reverse-discrimination storiess. Unless you can come up with a better source, I'm calling BS on racism against white baseball players.

the long ball wrote:

JUstathought wrote:

Change my mind.

Well, you could look at MLB. There's a bit of nepotism / cronyism invovled in some people making the majors. Steve Sailer also pointed out over a decade ago that players from Latin America were getting the nod slightly more often than they should over American players when all stats were laid out - and others have pointed out that it's gotten worse since then (muh diversity). So that sport is squandering native born talent here and there. Sure, if you're Mike Trout you'll be fine. But otherwise...

why use steve sailer as a source? How is sailer more credible than david duke?

the long ball wrote:

JUstathought wrote:

Change my mind.

Well, you could look at MLB. There's a bit of nepotism / cronyism invovled in some people making the majors. Steve Sailer also pointed out over a decade ago that players from Latin America were getting the nod slightly more often than they should over American players when all stats were laid out - and others have pointed out that it's gotten worse since then (muh diversity). So that sport is squandering native born talent here and there. Sure, if you're Mike Trout you'll be fine. But otherwise...

Man, white people have had it so hard.

the long ball wrote:

Well, you could look at MLB. There's a bit of nepotism / cronyism invovled in some people making the majors. Steve Sailer also pointed out over a decade ago that players from Latin America were getting the nod slightly more often than they should over American players when all stats were laid out - and others have pointed out that it's gotten worse since then (muh diversity). So that sport is squandering native born talent here and there. Sure, if you're Mike Trout you'll be fine. But otherwise...

Before you pout and whine and suck your thumb. MLB is not trying to be mean to white people. Over 85% of MLB fans are white people. There is absolutely no reason baseball is trying to be mean to white people. I have heard some unofficial whispers that MLB upper management prefer Latin players. Let us assume all things being equal: age and stats of ball players. It's so obvious! On their first contract Latin players do not necessarily negotiate as vigorously as US born athletes. MLB management, correctly or not: MLB management believe Latin players not born in US will play for less money. You are crying the long ball and thinking MLB management do not like you because you are white. Do you feel better?

Can't change your mind if you don't"t tell us what u mean. How do you see this 'potential' at full realization? Considering the inherent individuality, complex nature of a track meet, low pay of elites and general poor cost/ benefit of practically every aspect of the sport except participants self absorbed ego, I do not see any potential to be wasted.

Quite the opposite, no sport notices and rewards potential like track and field. The ectomorph, endomorph and mesomorphs can all be successful. The 5'8" 130 pound kid who might be cut from basketball or sit on the bench might become a great distance runner. The 250 pound might become a thrower. The kid without hand eye coordination but quickness might become a great sprinter. The lanky gawky kid might become a high jumper.

Have you ever had any contact with USA bobsled/skeleton? Because if you had, you would realize how much better track is at identifying and nurturing talent. Bobsled is practically trying to mismanage its talent pool.

You know how it is hard to make it as a track athlete because there is so little money? At least you can choose to live somewhere that family can help you out with an easy part time job or a converted garage while you try to run a sponsor-worthy time. Bobsled forces you to live 6 months of the year in lake placid.

At least with track you can choose your own coach for off season conditioning. With bobsled, if you dont choose to hire and pay one of the "in" coaches, you very likely wont be selected.

At least in track there is an open tryout of one or two days to make the olympic team, which allows you to train where and when suits you best. Bobsled requires you to do a combine, then do push camp, then do tryouts. If you are selected, you have to commit to continuing to tryout while doing meets, and might be kicked off the eventual selection for the olympic team at any time.

Even if you make it to the top as a pusher, you have to ingratiate yourself with the drivers, who ultimately get to choose their team. You may do all that work only to be not selected because you didnt go out for beers with him that one night in turin...

And it is partially funded by the USOC despite the coaches lining their pockets with what is obviously not a serious attempt at putting forth the best team possible.

Throwers must have decent facilities. Jumpers need to follow their routines. Hurdlers need things a certain way. The start is very important for 60m &/or 100m athletes, so things have to be just right; sprinters and runners 200m and those who race longer races can train anywhere: roads, parks and of course any available track. Swimmers need the pool to be open. Holiday, pool is closed. Someone under 18 months or someone over age 80 defecates in pool, pool is closed. Track & field sprinters over 200m and runners really don't have it too rough compared to other stamina/endurance athletes.

Being based in the UK I can tell you that without any doubt, the sport with the worst return on investment in terms of numbers who participate to the numbers who make it into professional sport is soccer.

We see countless numbers of kids play soccer from the age of 5 right through their childhood. The numbers who get taken into professional squads in minute compared to the numbers who participate. And the numbers who come through the development squads at soccer clubs, and make it into the first teams is even smaller.

I'm not the OP but if I was this would have successfully changed my mind.

Didn't know Lolo Jones was on the boards...

All sports are a numbers game. I don't see where T&f is different from any other sport. Look at fball... how many guys play and start at big name college teams and how many make the NFL every year??