I am blessed among men. The Wife likes sports. There are times she is subjected to a sports overdose in our home and she simply tolerates it, but she is a lottery pick of a sports-wife. You see, not only does she tolerate sports and watch sports with me, she really understands what is going on. She may not break down a Cover 2, but she can explain the Infield Fly Rule.
This is not meant to be sexist: "women folk don't understand these macho sports". The reality is that varying levels of sports enthusiasm in a household can be a source of friction between an average husband and wife. Guys, if you find yourself in this situation there are ways to ease your wife into the sporting world. Ladies, if you are looking for the right opportunity to spend more time with your man and share an interest with him, then this blog post is for you. These are the five sports/sporting events that are the most "'wife-friendly".
#5 – A Sport Your Kids Play
Your wife may have a natural inclination to watch more of the sport that your children play. This works really well if junior or junior-ette plays basketball or baseball. Those are likely sports that YOU (as a guy) already like. Where it falls apart is if your kid is into swimming or soccer (might as well move to Europe). Nobody wants to watch those sports – not even when your kid is playing it. People that say they like soccer only say that because they think it makes them sound interesting and off-beat. They may also claim to watch PBS, smoke a pipe and own a Joan Baez album. At any rate…if you are fortunate enough for your young'un to play a sport you love, then this is a great sport for the wife and husband to take up together.
#4 – The Super Bowl
This one really shouldn't count as it is rather obvious. Even people who ask "What are those yellow flag poles doing on the end of the grassy area?" watch the Super Bowl. However, the hype, commercials, and half-time show make it an ideal event for a husband and his sport-ambivalent wife to enjoy together. The half-time show part doesn't help your case though when it is Janet Jackson (wardrobe malfunction) or The Black Eyed Peas (they just stunk). Even Elaine had "Super Bowl Fever" (and how could you de-gift a ticket to the Super Bowl?) so maybe your wife can get infected with it, too. A Super Bowl party also allows a wife to put her personal touch on the event as well.
#3 – NCAA Tournament
The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, specifically, the first weekend of the tourney, is a perfect event for husband and wife to enjoy together in sporting matrimony. First, the tournament is always exciting. Close games, upsets and lots of action to watch can draw in even the most sports-adverse spouse. The Tournament also has the beauty of The Bracket. We all know of people winning tourney pools by making picks based on team colors or mascots. So, it doesn't require in-depth knowledge and study for a sports-novice wife to get a bracket in her hand and become a fanatic before a shot clock can expire. The surgeon general's warning on this one is: if you are dragging your wife unwillingly into the tournament, beware! There is A LOT of basketball on TV during the tournament. She may demand "equal time" and pull you from your plasma screen and to a home and garden show just before a big #5 vs. #12 match-up.
#2 – Back Nine at The Masters
If Martha Burke is in the news outside Magnolia Lane protesting Augusta National being an all-male club, you may not get your wife on board for this one. However, there are a lot of things that can be of interest to man and wife alike about the Masters. First, Augusta National is a beauty of a golf course. Camera shots of azaleas, dogwoods and hyper-manicured grounds can certainly generate some interest. Second, the back nine is exciting golf (I'm just saying the back nine, because there is no need to be greedy). Seven of the last ten Masters has been decided by two or fewer strokes. And, unlike the US Open, the golfers aren't grinding out pars, but are making bold shots at pins and carding lots of birdies and eagles. Finally, it is an opportunity to root against Tiger Woods and who doesn't enjoy that these days.
#1 – The Kentucky Derby
I read somewhere once that there are two sporting events where female viewers outnumber male viewers. I don't remember where I read it and can't find it now, but we'll go ahead and pretend that it is correct. One of those events is the Winter Olympics. The other is the Kentucky Derby.
There is a lot of appeal for the ladies to an event like the Derby. First (again, sounding sexist) is the fashion. Bold hats, sun dresses and trendy shoes abound and I hear the Wife critiquing them during the Derby telecast. Celebrity sightings may also be of interest, however, that means you must consider Kate Gosselin, Bobby Flay (also a horse owner) and Jerry O' Connell to be celebrities. The Derby also always has great storylines. This year there is a colt that has a 70-year old trainer and 50-year old jockey both of whom are getting their first ever horse in the Derby. Another colt's trainer had a heart transplant just three years ago.
There are a thousand different ways to pick a horse. A girl I know picked Giacomo to win in 2005 at 50-1 odds because she liked the colors of the jockey's silks. You can also pick by names. A popular name to go with this year? Pants on Fire. Or you can spend hours analyzing the race and then wonder how they heck a horse like Giacomo could possibly win. That is my method (
this year's pick's are here, too).
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| Barbaro winning in 2006 |
Finally, they don't call it the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports for nothing. The race is always highly-anticipated, full of excitement and some of the best athletes (human and equine) are on display. So, tomorrow make a date as a couple to watch the Derby. Tune in early so you can see an interview with "that guy who used to be on that show we watched once" get asked who his Derby pick is. I'm guessing that your pick of a horse because he looks like your high school gym teacher will be just as good.
On behalf of The Wife and myself, Happy Derby!
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| The Wife at me at last year's Derby |
