Sports Unlimited Blog

Best Summer Games – A Top Five List

What better allows you to be a friend, teammate, competitor, host, and inspirer of happiness than summer lawn games? Well, there probably are other things that lend better to those roles, but heck, summer games are fun and can bring together a family and friends! I remember, in my younger summers, sitting in a low, striped polyester beach chair in the back yard, holding a glass of iced lemonade to my nape and watching my cousins blow bubbles in the sun. That child, hot and bored, wished for something a bit more exciting and fifteen years later, I happily present to you, the top five backyard games for this summer.

5. Badminton

An Odd Garden Variant of Tennis

If you haven’t seen the game of badminton before, you’re missing something extraordinary. Reminiscent of 19^th century England, the game consists of lightweight racquets, a net, and the illustrious shuttlecock. The (usually nylon) feathers of the shuttlecock provide drag so that it decelerates much quicker than a ball, which means, no out-of-the-park home runs for any over-excited players. Hit the shuttlecock in the air over the net until it hits the ground! Easy to set up in the back yard or in a park, lightweight, and affordable, badminton is a great way to involve anyone and everyone. Cheerio!

Try the Franklin Elite Series 4 Player Badminton Set

4. Volleyball

Sick Dig Bro!

Another net game, volleyball is an incredibly fun way to get some exercise. Setting and spiking competitively or leisurely tossing the ball back and forth, this game works for everyone. Learning this game also can have advantages when you come across a game of indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, or even water volleyball. Make some memories this summer with family games of backyard ball in the sun.

Recommended volley ball set – Park & Sun Spectrum Classic

3. Toss Games

Did You Say Cornhole?

At my desk, there isn’t much in this world more enticing than being outside with some buddies, baseball game on the radio, and tossing a bean bag with a cold beverage in my free hand. I don’t know about you, but I’m a fan of relaxing and taking advantage of the warmer months. Sometimes referred to as tailgate games, toss games are simple and require little set up. Usually in the form of a bean bag, players toss the object underhanded at a target. Rules depend on the game being played, but the simplicity and the game-day feel of toss games definitely put them on the top five summer games list.

Fun bean bag game for the family – Corn Toss by Sport Design

2. Croquet

Through the Wickets and into the Stake, Old Sport!

With origins dating back 400 years, croquet can transport you through time. Well, no. But it is exciting, classic, and perfect for some backyard Saturday fun. Whether you’re sporting knickers and argyle socks or some under armour shorts, any day with reasonable weather is a perfect day for croquet. I had fun playing this ball and mallet game as a kid at my grandparents’ house in Maine and this summer I will be definitely getting into some croquet mischief, putting on an English accent, creating new rules, and competing feverishly with my young nephews. Undoubtedly a winner, croquet is perfect for backyard hangouts.

Best seller – North Meadow Scottsdale 6-Player Croquet Set

1. Horseshoes

Summer Just Got a Bit Luckier

Albeit strange, pitching oversized shoes of a horse is cool. Ancient Grecians tossed them when they couldn’t afford a discus. Soldiers threw mule shoes in Union Camps during the Civil War. Abounded in history, horseshoes is a game everyone knows and playing it is easier than ever today. All you need is two stakes and some horseshoes to pitch. The skillful pitch of the shoe is not something that demands tremendous physical ability, which makes it perfect for players of all ages. Backyard or in the sand, horseshoes defines the summer as the epitome of relaxing, fun, and memorable!

One of the best horseshoe sets around – WD Horseshoe Co. Glory Set

Now, where’s my lemonade?

By Isaac Clark

Isaac is a Lemonade Lover at Sports Unlimited.

Product spotlight: Croquet anyone?

Let’s face it, there probably hasn’t been a time in your life when you’ve thought, “What I really wish I had right now was a nice croquet set.”

But there are some thoughts we have all the time – especially as summer approaches.

“How am I going to take advantage of this nice weather?”

“What am I going to do with the people coming to my barbecue this weekend?”

“Someone get these kids out of my house for an hour.”

“I hope I don’t run out of ketchup.”

OK, you’re on your own with that last one. But the answer to some of your other summer dilemmas may be something as simple as a croquet set. And one of the most popular items we carry at Sports Unlimited is the North Meadow Scottsdale 6-player set.

While many of us have played the game at a grandparent’s house or seen a set stashed in the corner of a garage, croquet is probably not at the top of your summer activity list. Maybe it’s time to change that.

Think about it. The rules are simple, it takes little time to set up, you can play anywhere and you can easily talk, eat and drink while playing.

sportsunlimited_2258_1922588516 — The North Meadow Scottsdale 6-player Croquet Set is made in the USA.

Other than the fact that its made in the USA, what makes the North Meadow Scottsdale set so appealing is its quality. One of our best-selling items, this set is built to stand the test of time. And if you’re going to be using this to entertain guests, your kids or your kids’ kids, you want something that’s sturdy and won’t need replacing.

That’s the biggest advantage to choosing a quality set like this over a cheaper version. It won’t start breaking and bending after a few games and years later, you’ll still have a usable set. The mallets are made of hard maple wood, which looks great and ages well.

Also – and very importantly – this set comes with a rule book. Without that, many of us wouldn’t even know where to start. But a quick scan of the rules will easily get you on your way. Then you can start setting up the two 24-inch goal stakes and the nine square poly-coated steel wickets that come in their own storage sack.

After that, you can roll out the six colorful 3 5/16-inch balls and start whacking them with any of the six 30-inch mallets with 8 1/2-inch heads.

After a game or two, pack it all up in the nylon carrying bag and get back to manning the grill or taking an afternoon nap.

Odds are you’ve barely broken a sweat and accomplished your goal of getting outside for a little bit.

By Lou Rusnock
Lou is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

Making adjustable basketball hoops a slam dunk

It was undoubtedly the highlight of my driveway basketball career – the day I could finally dunk on a 10-foot rim.

jeromelanedunk — Jerome Lane wowed Bill Raftery with his dunking power.

I can still remember it today, nearly 15 years later. Timing out my steps, taking off on my right foot, throwing my sisters’ women’s sized basketball through the hoop and feeling the rim hit my fingers. Months of practice had paid off, and I couldn’t wait to show my dad after he got home from work.

I waited for him, practicing the routine and anticipating what he would say. When he finally pulled into the garage, I was ready. I bounded across the driveway, elevated, slammed the ball… and tore the rim straight off the backboard.

My dad’s reaction: “Great” accompanied by an exasperated look.

Not exactly Bill Raftery and not quite what I’d pictured.

Basketball systems have come a long way since then. And whether you’re looking to put up a hoop to get you through a few years or one to practice like an NBA All-Star, Sports Unlimited has something for you. After choosing our top five favorites a few years ago, here’s a look at a variety of our top picks for adjustable hoops to suit any budget.

UNDER $500

FIRST TEAM FIVE-STAR INTRUDER ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL HOOP

One of our least expensive systems, the Five-Star Intruder won’t take up a lot of space in the driveway but will give you a reliable hoop. The system comes with a 3″ round pole, a 30″x44″ clear acrylic backboard, a flex rim and a backboard pad. An EZ Crank Height Adjuster will allow you to vary the rim height between 7.5′ and 10′ and a three-foot deep footing will secure the pole. If you’re just starting out, this pole is a great option.

SPALDING NBA 88355 IN GROUND ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL HOOP

The Spalding NBA 88355 is an affordable hoop from same quality manufacturer the NBA trusts. Slightly larger than the Five-Star Intruder, this system comes with a 50″ acrylic backboard that’s perfect for young players to start on. It has 1/2″ support arms to provide sturdiness and realistic rebounding and is adjustable from 7.5′-10′ feet in six-inch increments. The three piece system is easy to set up and includes a 3.5″ round steel pole that goes directly into the ground.

SPALDING 88365 ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL HOOP

An upgrade on the 88355, this basketball hoop won’t break your budget and won’t break down with heavy use. Constructed using a 4-inch square pole, the 88365 is more supportive than most other poles in its price range. It can also stand up to Mother Nature thanks to rust-resistant powder coated steel components. The backboard is slightly bigger than our other picks in this range, measuring 32″x54″, and is made from acrylic. It’s also equipped with Spalding’s U-Turn lift system to easily adjust from 7.5′ to 10′.

UNDER $1000

FIRST TEAM CHAMP III ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL HOOP

One of the most important things to look for in a basketball system is rigidity and First Team offers that with its Champ III Adjustable Basketball Hoop. This hoop includes a 4″x4″, 11-gauge steel pole that’s heavier than most others. That means your 36″x54″ acrylic backboard will stay firm when you’re looking to bank home a winning shot. The Insta-Just height adjustment doesn’t require any tools and will allow you to set the rim from 7.5′ to 10′ for various levels of play. As an added bonus it comes with First Team’s Lifetime Superior Warranty, which covers any damage or failure caused by basketball activity.

BISON SMOKED LOTTERY PICK ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL HOOP

As soon as your hoop is up, you’re going to want to have your friends over to play. Imagine their look when they see the styling of the Smoked Lottery Pick Adjustable Basketball Hoop from Bison. The smoked tempered glass tinted backboard does more than look the part. It also provides some function, reducing the sun’s glare on bright days. The hoop adjusts from 7.5′ to 10′ and has a 30″ offset, so there’s room to battle under the boards without fear of banging into the pole. The pole is mounted with a direct barrier 30 inches into the ground. This hoop includes a Lifetime Limited Warranty from Bison to cover damage from “normal or intended use.”

GAMECHANGER GC44-LG ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL SYSTEM

A new kid on the block, the GameChanger GC44-LG Adjustable Basketball System offers incredible value. Its 4″x4″ pole is one solid piece, providing superior strength to the two-piece pole used by most competitors. Unlike the systems above, this hoop is made to go with you if you move thanks to its anchor bolt mounting system. Like its competitors, the GC44-LG adjusts from 7.5′ to 10′ and has a 30″ offset. It also comes with a breakaway rim and post and backboard pads for maximum safety. Each hoop has black powder coat paint to resist harsh weather conditions and GameChanger’s lifetime warranty makes it a strong choice.

OVER $1000

SPALDING TRIPLE EIGHT SERIES 88825G 54″ GLASS BASKETBALL SYSTEM

When you enter the highest price range you get some bells and whistles and the Triple Eight Series doesn’t disappoint. In fact, we like this series so much at Sports Unlimited that we’re installing its big brother behind our warehouse later this week. What makes it special? How about the 3/8″ tempered glass that will provide true rebounds off the 54″x36″ backboard. Or maybe its the durability of a 5″ square steel pole, covered with an accompanying pole pad, that will offer strong support. Spalding is the officially-licensed brand of the NBA and this backboard has the sticker to prove it. The stainless steel poles won’t rust and a 3′ board offset gives you plenty of room to do your best Dr. J impression to wow your friends. You can do that at a variety of heights as this system adjusts from 7.5′ to 10′.

SPALDING ARENA VIEW 86604AGP 60″ GLASS BASKETBALL SYSTEM

If you lie in bed late at night dreaming of walking across the stage and shaking hands with David Stern, then you may want to invest in a Spalding Arena View. The unique design of the support bars, which attach to the widest part of the backboard, will offer unmatched rigidity to give you a true feel on the 1/2″ tempered glass. A 60″x38″ backboard will allow you enough space to practice this with a 180-degree breakaway rim to protect from injury. Like the Triple Eight Series, the Arena View also has a 3′ offset and has the U-Turn Pro lift system to make it easy to adjust it from 7.5′-10′. Its also NBA licensed and comes with a stadium-style pole pad.

TRIPLE THREAT TPT664-XXL ADJUSTABLE BASKETBALL HOOP

For maximum features at a great price, look no further than the Triple Threat TPT664-XXL. A 6″ square post and a 42″x72″ backboard are the same specs used by the pros. One of its best features is that it adjusts from 10′ all the way down to 5.5′ so you can get started early on grooming the next Lebron. The basket features a 4′ offset to keep you away from the pole and also comes with post and backboard pads for added safety. A galvanized WeatherShield undercoat and black powder top coat make this system weather-proof and it also has a bolt down anchor base so it can move along with you.

By Lou Rusnock
Lou is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

Happy Mother’s Day

It is tiring and difficult to exude appreciation on a consistent basis, but our mothers deserve no less. As a family owned company, we at Sports Unlimited feel pretty darned strongly about our families and the special relationship everyone has with his or her mother. This weekend is not the time for us to sell, but for us to celebrate!

Showering our mother or grandmother or the mother of our children with gifts is lovely, but common. The right gift can be truly heartfelt, but the one perfect way to convey our sincere appreciation is simply to spend time with her. Make the phone call, drive down the street or go for a walk with her. When we can’t necessarily say precisely how we feel, a mother knows that a squeeze of the hand, an honest glare, or the words ‘Thank You’ from her son or daughter is the recognition of a lifetime of compassion and giving. At 5:30AM on Sunday, I’ll be awake and groggily readying myself for the Susan G. Komen 5K in Philadelphia, but whether you are racing or not, being active and supportive to your mother in any endeavor is important.

Spending time and acknowledging her value as a mother is what Mother’s Day is about, but that isn’t to say that moms don’t like gifts! I would however suggest that you buy her something that represents the person she is and wants to be. We won’t stop you from running, or relaxing, or climbing a mountain, but maybe this weekend, bring your mom along.

Happy Mother’s Day everybody.

By Isaac Clark

Isaac is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

Avoid a Jose Canseco moment with Unequal Technologies

Sports can strike a cord in all of us for a variety of reasons.

The history, the nostalgia, the wow factor. Great players coming up with big plays in big moments and teams capturing our hearts on championship runs.

Joy, anger, elation and sadness all have big roles in sports. And so too does laughter. Nothing showcases that as much as bloopers.

But with increases in technology and the rise in the skill level of athletes, we’re left with far less to laugh at these days. In fact, some companies are making it their business to make the blooper reel no laughing matter.

Take, for example, Unequal Technologies and their recent introduction of helmet and hat pad reinforcers to the market.

I know what you’re thinking. Why would anyone have any need for an additional liner in their baseball hat? You’re not getting a ball thrown at you and you already have your glove to protect you. And to that point, I give you Jose Canseco.

Now known more for blowing the lid off the steroid scandal than for blowing the cover off the baseball, there was a time when Canseco was among the best in the game. The first player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season, Canseco was named to five all-star teams in his first eight years in the majors with the Oakland A’s.

After reaching three straight World Series from 1988-1990, the A’s fell from prominence, and, to a large extent, so did Canseco. He was traded from Oakland to the Texas Rangers late in 1992 and bottomed out in May of 1993 when he lost track of a Carlos Martinez fly ball, which hit him in the head at the warning track and bounced over the fence for a home run.

Three days later, he pitched the eighth inning of a blowout loss to the Red Sox, injuring his arm and requiring Tommy John surgery in the process. He missed the remainder of the season and though he bounced back to win the Comeback Player of the Year award in 1994, he was never the same player.

Had he installed a HPZ Halo helmet pad in his cap on that fateful day, maybe he wouldn’t have become a sideshow. Maybe he would have played out the ’93 season, and gotten closer to the 500-home run mark (he ended his career 38 dingers shy, despite playing just 60 games that season). Maybe he wouldn’t have had a need to thrust himself back into the spotlight with a book exposing baseball’s dirty secret. And maybe, just maybe, the course of baseball history would have been changed forever.

By Lou Rusnock
Lou is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

New Schutt AiR XP Pro Football Helmet Unleashed!

Schutt is loaded with elite quality football helmets and they’ve added to the arsenal again. An upgrade to the popular AiR XP, the AiR XP Pro Adult Football Helmet has been whispered about for some time, but is now available at Sports Unlimited! Featuring Dual Compression TPU, the Surefit TPU Air Liner, and AiR Maxx TPU Jaw Pads, the beloved AiR XP is now immensely more safe in the Pro version.

The original AiR XP was made famous by its on-field performance and lightweight design, and the new AiR XP Pro maintains its light weight (3 lbs, 2 oz) with the added benefits of the most advanced cushioning system in existence. I would say this is shocking, but when it comes to Schutt, nothing really shocks me anymore. Consistent innovation and excellence are now the expectation from Schutt, and truly, they have not disappointed.

We’ve witnessed the Dual Compression TPU (DCT) system in Schutt Vengeance helmets and by golly have we been impressed with this technology. It is no surprise that they’ve moved on to add this system to the lightweight AiR XP series to improve shock absorption from both high velocity and low velocity impacts. If you’ve ever been on a football field, you know how often collisions happen, and the way a helmet responds to these impacts is vital to the health of any player. The DCT system simultaneously utilizes two types of TPU to best protect from every-play impacts as well as infrequent violent collisions. The combination of protection and lightweight construction will surely make this one of the greatest on-field performing helmets we have ever seen and as Schutt spoils us with so many exceptional helmets to choose from, now is the time to give your game a boost with a brand new helmet with the safest, lightest, and strongest technology football has ever seen!

We, here at Sports Unlimited, are devoted to bringing you the very best football equipment because we take pride in our passion for the game. Stay safe and practice hard!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ7Q_-9Uuv8]

By Isaac Clark

Isaac is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

2013 Sports Unlimited Football Equipment Draft – Top 10 Picks

Welcome to the 2013 Sports Unlimited Football Equipment Draft. With all of our minds on the upcoming NFL Draft, we decided to present our own style of draft that features the best of the best football equipment that you can find at SportsUnlimited.com because we want to equip you with what you need to make 2013 the most memorable season of your life.

We have randomly generated a draft order for some of our expert compatriots at SU and I will be documenting the draft so that you can stay informed with the top-of-the-line, most advanced products in the industry. Here are the top ten picks!

1. Schutt Titanium Big Grill 2.0 Super Pro XL Football Facemask

With the luck of the draw, the coveted first overall pick in our draft goes to Andre from the Customer Service department. With every product still on the board, Andre selects the Schutt Titanium Big Grill 2.0 Football Facemask. Lighter and stronger than steel, this facemask brings the performance of a No.1 pick. Peak performance with the most intimidating and wicked design on the market make the Titanium Big Grill 2.0 one fearsome mask only available at Sports Unlimited.

2. Schutt AiR Maxx Flex Adult Football Shoulder Pads – QB / WR

With so many incredible products remaining, Jason felt the pressure when he was on the clock and let it get down to 00:01 before deciding that the Schutt AiR Maxx Flex Adult Football Shoulder Pads – QB / WR were worthy of the 2nd pick. I have to agree with him because the Quarterback to Wide Receiver connection can put six points on the board on any given play. Ultimate protection with strategically placed TPU and superb range of motion give these pads the best draft rating in the biz. Drafting performance and protection for some of the most important positions on the field is always an excellent choice.

3. Cutters X40 C-Tack Revolution Adult Football Receiver Gloves

In an early shock, Steve from our Web Team is going deep with the Cutters X40 C-Tack Revolution Adult Football Receiver Gloves. Equipped with a self-restoring C-Tack grip and available in an array of colors, these gloves make plays. Steve knows that fumbles and drops can cost dearly on the gridiron and he wasn’t afraid to snag an elite pair of ‘hands’ this high in the draft. Great pick!

4. Schutt Vengeance DCT Adult Football Helmet

The fourth pick belongs to our wise leader and President, Don who makes the most popular pick of the draft with the Schutt Vengeance DCT Adult and Youth Helmets. Don goes with the numbers here because he knows this popular helmet lives up to the hype and “has been our number one selling helmet this year”! The TPU in the DCT is the same material used in United States Armed Forces fighter pilot and paratrooper helmets. Combined with a re-imagined shell design, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see this go first overall!

5. Riddell 360 Adult Football Helmet

Having had head and jaw injuries in the past, I knew from the start that I needed to draft a great helmet. With Don having taken the Schutt Vengeance DCT off the board, my decision became a lot easier because my internal argument was between the former and the Riddell 360 Adult Football Helmet. With Concussion Reduction Technology, Flex Face Guard, and Riddell’s Hexagonal Liner System, I may have just picked up the best helmet in the world.

6. Oakley Football Eyeshield

Web Team is here with another pick, and Steph, with an understanding of how important vision is on the field, dashes to our imaginary podium to select the Oakley Football Eyeshield. Steph trusts the Plutonite construction and HDO (High Definition Optics) technology from Oakley because wherever you are on the field, your decision-making relies on vision. The value here is playing smart and Steph’s team is going to be built on great vision and smart decisions.

7. Schutt Vengeance DCT Hybrid+ Youth Football Helmet

At the seventh pick, Doug, the feared Web Team Manager, picks up the product at the top of his draft board, the Schutt Vengeance DCT Hybrid+ Youth Football Helmet. “I like the combination of all the latest protection technologies and the value you get versus the Youth Vengeance DCT.” The innovative combination of Dual Compression TPU and traditional vinyl nitrile padding makes this youth helmet high in protection and low in price. This could be the steal of the draft!

8. New Balance 993 Mid Mens Lacrosse / Football Cleats

Michele, one of our Customer Service Supervisors, has the football knowledge and competitive spirit to know that winning on the gridiron takes great footwork and her strategy is speed, speed, speed. She’s getting some traction with the New Balance 993 Mid Mens Lacrosse / Football Cleats. These cleats were designed to have the versatility, durability, and lightness to make a player dangerous. Speed with stability can go a long way.

9. Wilson TDS Leather High School Football

We have back to back Customer Service Supervisor picks and this one belongs to Jamie. One of the friendliest people around, he cares about our products and our customers, which is why he is going with the Wilson TDS Leather High School Football. Without a ball, you can’t play and this beauty is approved by NFHS for high school play. Practice your skills with the ball or play some catch out back because a tight spiral just looks better with an official ball. You can see and feel the quality with 899 full-grain leather.

10. Schutt Y Flex All Purpose Youth Football Shoulder Pads

Ryan received the tenth and last pick in the draft, but with the expertise he has as a Buyer and Customer Service Manager, he can draft in any position and come out with a winner. He calls the Schutt Y Flex All Purpose Youth Football Shoulder Pads, “great youth shoulder pads that our customers love for all positions. Value is excellent.” Ryan picks for strength and versatility with these youth shoulder pads that feature Air Flex tech and vapor holes to maintain protection with great comfort. Safety is paramount whether you are developing football skills or playing at an elite level.

There you have it, our inaugural Sports Unlimited Football Equipment Draft is complete. I’d like to thank the participants for lending their expertise. I’ll declare the draft a success due to my personal happiness with my pick and I know you all were rooting for me. This draft could have gone any which way because the top ten draft picks were only a tiny sample of what SportsUnlimited.com has to offer!

Good luck this season folks!

By Isaac Clark
Isaac is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

Liverpool FC Star Luis Suarez Scores Gordie Howe Hat Trick

Shame on you, Luis

Luis Suarez bit an opponent, again. He also mesmerized with an assist and snagged a last-gasp equalizer to complete the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. As I watched the Liverpool Chelsea clash on Sunday and saw the same struggles Liverpool has dealt with all season, it seemed like yet another winnable match that they would, in the end, lose due to poor finishing and avoidable turnovers. That is not exactly how it played out. With a brilliant first goal from the Reds that was reminiscent of the glory days of the Kop, rather, the touches were so impeccable that there is nothing to which to compare it except for those brief moments of perfect football that before you acknowledge their existence, are gone to the land of replays. It wasn’t until after the converted penalty from Eden Hazard in the second half (given due to Suarez handling the ball in the penalty area), that Suarez bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

It was shocking to see a player, and one of such quality, literally sink his teeth into another player. Both hands grasped the arm as if it were a turkey leg and he the guest of honor at a feast in the heart of the Dark Ages. It is hard to imagine that Suarez had an understanding of what he was doing as he began his descent into the flesh of another person because what could possibly be rationally going through his mind? This is not even the first time he has bit a fellow player during a professional match. While playing for Ajax in the Netherlands, he was fined and served a long ban for biting an opponent. It seems as though, in our sad reality, he has a reputable history of biting players now. A fine from Liverpool FC will not do.

Oh boy, Luis Suarez at his strangest. And of course, at his finest as he equalized in the 97th minute to deprive Chelsea of the vital three points.

Do defenders need now wear protective gear for the flesh of their arms? What do you think?

By Isaac Clark.

Isaac is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

Headlines: Tiger Woods Defeated by Sleepy Guy On Couch with USGA Rulebook

What is wrong with the USGA Rulebook and how the nonsense revolving around it ‘almost’ ruined The Masters in 2013.

It’s 2013 and the first Australian golfer has just won The Masters in Augusta on a raining Sunday night in a playoff that featured near-misses and a putt for the win. Angel Cabrera’s putt on the 2nd hole of the playoff looked on target until it stopped an inch away from forcing Adam Scott into a make-or-lose 12-footer on the water-soaked 10th hole green. But Cabrera’s putt missed, giving Scott a putt for the win. He putted for the green jacket yet again, having made a 20-foot putt to birdie himself into the lead on the 18th hole before the playoff. He had one more putt to win the biggest tournament of his life. One putt as the water dripped from his new-age long putter to send Australia into euphoria. “Come on Aussies!” he yelled when he holed that 20-footer with excitement earlier on the 18th, but when the ball rolled those 12 feet toward Australia’s first green jacket and dropped in with ease, Adam Scott’s expression was that of awe. It was hard to discern the tears from the droplets of rain, but it looked a perfect moment for Adam Scott and Australia’s golfing pride to win in such dramatic fashion. With so much heart and happiness and magic in the 2013 Masters, it is infinitely frustrating that we may very well remember all of this for the USGA’s uncanny ability to use their rulebook to steal headlines. Tiger Woods’ ‘illegal’ drop and two-stroke penalty that was assessed Saturday morning took headlines, all of them.

We have Greg Norman and David Duval, both former World #1 players, taking to Twitter, calling for Woods to withdraw from the tournament, to effectively disqualify himself for a drop that he did not know was illegal, and which no tournament official even brought to his attention until a TV viewer called in. Yes, that is correct. A TV viewer reported the ‘illegal’ drop that pulled Tiger’s score going into the weekend from 3-under to 1-under. The eventual winner, Adam Scott, went into the weekend with a score of, you guessed it, 3-under. The rule itself seems ambiguous and nonsensical to begin with:

Rule 26-1.

“If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:
a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or
c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if you skipped that esoteric jargon.

Rule 20-2-b.
“Where to Drop
When a ball is to be dropped as near as possible to a specific spot, it must be dropped not nearer the hole than the specific spot which, if it is not precisely known to the player, must be estimated.”

What if Tiger had dropped the ball six inches from where he estimated the original shot was taken, is that ‘as nearly as possible’ to the spot? I guess that determination can be made by a TV viewer who witnesses both shots from different camera positions. It seems as though we have unreasonable rules with the addition of audience objections and interruptions. What this has brought us is headlines; headlines that replace Adam Scott, Angel Cabrera, and Guan Tianlang’s inspiring play and accomplishments. Nope, we get couch-side whistle-blowers that suffocate the excitement and superb golfers on the sideline demanding self-disqualification for an ‘illegal’ drop that somehow gave Woods an unfair advantage by moving the ball backwards. Nonsense. Players’ generally do not gain advantage by moving the ball away from the hole, rather, they gain advantage by moving the ball closer to the hole, which did not happen. I want to talk about the rain falling and Angel Cabrera’s shot to the green on 18. I want to talk about the two years in a row that we have had emotional victories in sudden death playoffs. I want to once again be a TV viewer who cheers on the father-son duo of Angel Cabrera and his caddy Angel Cabrera Jr., the three Australians who aim to be the first from their nation to be victorious at Augusta, or the man in his red and black Sunday attire. But no, the USGA rulebook needs so much attention that it yanks headlines away from a 14-year-old boy.

Yell at Tiger all you want for not withdrawing, but first take a look at these two photographs from the same camera position for both his original shot and the ‘illegal’ dropped shot. How far from the original spot is the dropped ball, six inches?

Tiger Woods Illegal Shot — Side-by-side photos of Tiger’s penalized shots

[polldaddy poll=7039241]

By Isaac Clark.

Isaac is a writer at Sports Unlimited.

Top 10 Reasons to Cherish a Shortened Season

Ten reasons why we should love shortened seasons in sports.

Once we get through the disappointment of the season not starting at its customary time of year, we have to admit that there are a few aspects of a shortened season that are intriguing and exciting. Here are our top ten reasons to love shortened seasons in professional sports…

10. So much to watch, so little time! The frequency of the games has to be one of the greatest aspects of a shortened season. Although there are fewer games than a full season, leagues pack in the games so that when the season does start, there is always something to watch.

9. Fire, fire! With fewer games on the schedule, those games naturally turn into fiery, spirited contests because every game is that much more important in the fight for playoff spots. The fans can feel it, the players can feel it. There always seems to be an intensity rare to regular season games that shows up consistently in a shortened season.

8. It’s all leveled out. The playing field is leveled in a shortened season. This allows small stretches of good play to carry any team into the playoffs, even last year’s losers. Great teams are not safe with every game being so important; lost points here and there can cost even the best teams a coveted playoff spot. Conversely, more teams have a chance to surprise and don’t have to stay hot for as long as they would in a standard length season.

7. In it until the end! Opposed to a long season in which usually only a few teams are left in the fight for un-clinched playoff spots late, short seasons provide great drama with many teams remaining in the playoff hunt until the very end. Most playoff teams will not know who they are destined to play in the first round of playoffs because nothing is settled until the frantic finish.

6. Hostile territories. With short seasons, every game against ‘that other team’ not only has the usual ferocity of a rivalry, but gains even more significance because every loss you can give to your opponent, and every win your team earns counts all the more. When neither team can afford to lose the game, rivalries are intensified, and this desperation can easily generate new rivalries too!

5. The Gauntlet. Watching players in the ‘gauntlet’, testing their athleticism, durability, and mental toughness is something that can bring fans closer to the players. To see the determination and character of your favorite team in a shortened season brings new perspective and respect for professional athletes that dedicate themselves to the sport.

4. BFF’s. No matter the sport, shortened seasons with games squeezed into a smaller timeframe force teammates to become close. As teams play more often and go on the road together, we can see the evidence on the playing surface. Have you ever noticed the camaraderie that shortened seasons bring?

3. Cold Hard Cash Money. Fewer games means money saved on tickets not bought. Although we all love getting to the arena, spending less on tickets and getting to see more intense games when we do is definitely an oft forgotten benefit of short seasons. Also, TV and streaming subscription services cost less than their standard prices in shortened seasons, putting money right back in your pocket.

2. Running on empty? Having played fewer games all year, the players have a lot left in the tank come playoff-time. You want your team playing its best and most energetic games in the playoffs and not having to push through a grueling regular season can help teams accomplish just that. Energy is abundant in the playoffs, which makes your glorious, anxiety-inducing run to the championship that much more exciting.

1. Silver Lining. Short seasons are a whole lot better than not having a season at all! Blame who you want for issues preventing a full season on a particular year, but don’t we all sigh in relief once the announcement comes that there will at least be a shortened season?

As fans, we view the successes and failures of our teams emotionally and shortened seasons have the ability to heighten the intensity we feel during those successes and failures. In the disappointment of a good team missing the mark or the shock of a mediocre team making a run, we might yell a little bit louder during a shortened season because of the reasons we love sports in the first place.

By Isaac Clark.

Isaac is a writer at Sports Unlimited.