There has long been a discussion about the future of soccer in America. I have landed on the 'no future in America' position on several occasions in my blogs. My explanation deals with many issues ranging from the metaphor implicit in soccer to the emotional nature of the game.
A new phenomenon has entered the discussion which has really ended the debate. The mothers of young female soccer players have come to the conclusion, based on articles in mass media, that the soccer concussions are particularly damaging to their daughters.
So what are middle American mothers' daughters doing instead? Based on my fairly small sample and fairly wide sources of information, they are playing a game called ‘ultimate’.
Apparently, ultimate is widely played in American schools. Those of you who are anywhere near my age (old) wouldn't know this. We also wouldn't know that the game of ultimate is really two 7 person teams throwing a frisbee back and forth. It is played on a field about the size of a football field and has very simple rules and is usually played without a referee. It is so free of brutality that it is often played with mixed genders. Perfect for Title IX.
Just wanted you to know about ‘Ultimate’ Frisbee. It looks like the perfect sport. It was invented 76 years ago with a pie tin in Santa Monica. That sounds pure American to me.