Sports

How did this football club, initially composed mainly of Germans and Brits, become the repository of the hopes and dreams of an independent Catalan nation? And what would happen to the club if Catalan seceded from Spain?

By Dave Roos

The relationship between pro sports and expression of patriotism, like playing the National Anthem, is a uniquely American phenomenon. And a fairly recent one.

By Dave Roos

They may want to trade late-night hours on Twitter for some shut-eye to get better game stats, the research suggests.

By Shelley Danzy

People don't expect to see Asian-American basketball stars. Or football stars. But why?

By Dave Roos

But running was way down on the list.

By Alia Hoyt

It was da bomb in the '90s, stone-cold dead in the 2000s and may just be poised for a comeback. But why?

By Dave Roos

How — and why — do martial arts practitioners bust those boards without hurting themselves?

By Oisin Curran

They'll compete in 10 events over two grueling days in Tokyo. Does that make the gold medalist in the decathlon the best athlete in the world?

By John Donovan

The Olympic flame is supposed to never go out until the games have ended. But hey, accidents happen. So how is the torch relit?

By Jesslyn Shields

A story about a superhero, a rocket bike and a 40-year mystery that probably won't be solved.

By Julia Layton

What other sport allows you to fly 30 feet into the air and perform a fliffis?

By Allison Loudermilk

This year, on the last Monday in May, people will chase an 8-pound cheese down an absurdly steep hill in England. And it looks really fun.

By Julia Layton

There’s a new sport sweeping (or rolling across) the U.S.: bubble soccer. It gives a whole new meaning to the term bubble wrap.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

You might only win $4,000 if you take first place at this Masters tournament, but rest assured, professional miniature golf is real.

By John Donovan

Study shows former college athletes report greater levels of well-being than nonathletes, except financially.

By Dave Roos

Some blame it on the spectators themselves, others on the railing heights.

By Alison Cooper

Despite what team owners may say, the payment makes more sense psychologically than economically.

By Dave Roos

Miniature golf is a classic family outing and beach vacation tradition. It's almost like a cartoon version of regular golf. Who would come up with such an idea?

By Debra Ronca

OK, fine. Referees and umpires are human beings who make human mistakes. But why do they always have to make their human mistakes against our team? Here are 10 bad sports calls we're still debating.

By Dave Roos

The cost of hosting the Olympic Games has risen astronomically, but some cities are willing to foot the bill in exchange for increased tourism and better infrastructure. But what happens when it doesn't pay off? Here are 10 cautionary tales.

By Laurie L. Dove

Baseball: It seems so deceptively simple. And then you try to explain it to someone who's not familiar with the game. And then you get even crazier and start ranting about the fourth out in a sport that's supposed to have only three.

By Nicholas Gerbis

Jackie Robinson is rightfully lauded for breaking Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. But there were many unsung players who paved the way for Robinson's momentous breakthrough.

By Chris Opfer

Who's on first? And how did he get there? Believe it or not, there are dozens of ways for baseball players to get to first base.

By Laurie L. Dove

Baseball is a game of inches, and umpires hold the tape measure. Sometimes they succeed, other times not. When they don't, it's not hyperbole to say that umpires are perhaps the most vilified people in sports.

By John Perritano

Don't feel frustrated if you find the infield fly rule tricky to figure out. Even umpires sometimes get confused by it. Here's why.

By Patrick J. Kiger