Wide, Wide World of (fantasy) Sports

Who came up with the name "Fantasy Sports"? I mean surely there is a more fitting title for the activity that millions of grown men (and some women) participate in year in and year out. Why couldn't they have called it something like 'Virtual Sports" or "Cyber Sports" or even "On-line Sports"? Anything but "Fantasy".

You're sitting at your computer obviously in deep thought. Your wife hears barely audible cursing and the expression on your face is one of apparent anger or disgust. She lovingly asks you.... "What's the matter honey?" to which you straighten up and reply "Oh nothing hun..... just checking on my Fantasy team".

Sounds plum gay doesn't it.

Despite the corny (and inappropriate imho) name, millions of us young and old, male and female make annual pilgrimages in various scenarios to some sort of draft. This is proceeded by weekly or daily visits to a league site to monitor and maintain their lineups. Even the most novice participant will find themselves a little more attentive when sports news is on trying to stay abreast of the latest developments. The true affecionado  will invest hours per week reading sports columns, analyzing statistics and polishing their crystal ball looking for that all important edge over their competition.

Have you ever considered what it is that makes otherwise sane and rational people such avid participants in such an irrational activity? (If you haven't then don't! I can assure you there are no redeeming qualities to be gleaned). I am certain that there is a University somewhere doing a government funded study into the physiological and psychological effects of prolonged exposure to fantasy sports. Maybe fantasy sports is the venue by which some people exercise their alter ego. You know the type. The trash talking, chest beating know it all that is trapped inside the body of a mild mannered yes man that spends most of his time sucking up to the powers to be. Maybe it is the justification for all those hours of watching sports and sports news and the annual subscription to ESPN the Magazine and 3 other sports publications. Maybe it's just an interesting time filler to occupy time during ones otherwise dull and mundane life.

Or..... maybe you just like it. Like me. I just enjoy the quasi-competition of pitting my gut and instincts against another equally infested human being. The fact that I am a feared competitor (although I have long sense lost the ability to hit even Little League speed at the batting cage), or that I watch ESPN daily, listen to baseball podcasts , have 19 bookmarks to baseball news and projection pages has nothing at all to do with my love of the "sport". And just because I consider "stattracker" exhilarating entertainment does not suggest that I don't have a lot of excitement in my life. :)

I think the bottom line for a lot of people is simply that "Virtual" Sports of any kind is a pleasant distraction from the hustle and bustle of the "real" world. If for just a few minutes a night one can "check out" as they are "checking in" on their Virtual Team. And we all know there is nothing better to smooth the edges of a rough day than seeing their expertly assembled lineup kicking some major ass on a lesser insightful manager.

Hardballers