Ruden Sports News

It finally happened. Ten days after the start of the World Cup, the inevitable comment, “soccer is boring,” was uttered by a friend.

Ironically, the words were spoken Monday night at Yankee Stadium, before we endured a 12-inning game in which seven runs were scored. It took four hours and 45 minutes to play.

Almost as laborious as the lack of action were some dated traditions — the wave, the singing of YMCA as the infield is being cleaned, and Cotten-Eyed Joe — that die-hard Yankee fans might still enjoy but to me seem should go the way of flip-phones.

Usually the arrival of the World Cup prompts greater negativity about the pace of play from the non fan, but that has not been the case this summer.

Why? For one, the level of play has been nothing short of sensational (I just caught the end of Argentina-Switzerland, another backbone for the argument). There has been more scoring spurred by sides that now prefer greater use of an attacking rather than defensive style of play. The quality of the goalkeeping? Superb.

Yet one of the best games was a magical showdown in group play between Brazil and Mexico. It ended in a scoreless draw, but it was a direct refutation of those who contend “soccer is boring” because there isn’t enough scoring.

The general knowledge of the sport, for reasons I cannot exactly pinpoint, seems to be greater, even among those who only watch soccer every four years. People who had no idea who Michael Bradley is now engage in conversation about his play and whether he should remain in the lineup. (The answer, by the way, is a resounding yes. He is doing his best playing out of position, and you don’t substitute for a player unless you have someone of greater ability as a replacement. The U.S. does not. But I digress).

More people now know the difference between stoppage and extra time.

Like the rest of the country, our part of it continues to grow more diversified. Fans of varied ethnicities have gathered at bars and restaurants for group viewings. Twice during the Cup I have dined outside in Stamford and heard constant cheering for goals and near misses. Not surprisingly, walk down Bedford Street and most of the restaurants have set up big screens and outdoor TVs.

Then, of course, there is the success of the U.S. National Team, which was given virtually no chance of advancing in group play after being matched with Germany, Ghana and Portugal. It was a bit of a roller coaster ride, and at times effort has had to supersede tactics, but the U.S. went 1-1-1 and will face Belgium in elimination play just hours after this was written.

There are a number of forces that rally our country together, and sports has a particularly bonding effect.

But my friend’s words Monday night struck a chord about a related sports matter that consumed my thoughts during the recently completed high school sports season.

There is little question that the surge in youth lacrosse has had an effect on the overall talent pool in both baseball and softball. It is comparable, ironically, to the youth soccer boom a few years back.

On one level, it is easy to see why. Baseball and soccer are two of the most cerebral sports. We are now in an era when people are looking for instant gratification. Kids are addicted to their video games (as adults — this one in particular — are to their smartphones). They are used to constant action.

When someone first picks up a lacrosse stick, there is continual movement. Height and weight are not mitigating factors to success. In contrast, baseball and softball players can be put in a field position and go without action for long periods, counterintuitive to their usual lifestyles.

I covered little lacrosse before starting this site. At my former position, with the Stamford Advocate, I was the baseball and softball writer.

I have picked up a great appreciation for lacrosse. It is a fun game. It didn’t hurt that my first season turned out to be one of if not the best in FCIAC history.

Baseball is a much different sport on the high school and professional levels. The pace is much faster in the former. My attention span has grown more limited over the years, and the extra hour it now takes to play an MLB game since my younger days has sapped much of my enjoyment. There are a number of factors, some controllable, others less so, but I think an increased tempo in this country is needed, especially to not lose needed younger players at the outset.

A lot of these arguments used to be made about soccer. In a few weeks, without the World Cup, they may return.

But for now, the country seems to be engrossed by soccer.

From a sporting and communal standpoint, it is all good.