Sports
Sports are an integral part of our culture and give many of us a reason to cheer and jeer. Learn about the history of sports and how your favorite sports really work.
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How Board Breaking Works
How — and why — do martial arts practitioners bust those boards without hurting themselves?
The Olympic Decathlon Winner: The Best Athlete in the World?
They'll compete in 10 events over two grueling days in Rio next week. Does that make decathletes the ultimate Olympic athletes?
Honey Helps Gymnasts Get a Grip
If you look in the backpack of a male gymnast, you just might find a little bear that needs squeezing.
Here's How Many Rio Olympics Visitors Will Contract Zika Virus
A new study estimates just how many athletes and spectators heading to Brazil will catch the mosquito-borne virus, and it's not what you might expect.
What Happens if the Olympic Torch Accidentally Goes Out?
The Olympic flame is supposed to never go out until the games have ended. But hey, accidents happen. Here's what happens after the accidents.
The Human Fly, or the Daredevil Who Made Evel Knievel Seem Sane
A story about a superhero, a rocket bike and a 40-year mystery that probably won't be solved.
Jaw-dropping Moves From Rio-ready Trampoline Gymnasts
What other sport allows you to fly 30 feet into the air and perform a fliffis?
Cheese Rolling Is No Joke. But It's Still Pretty Funny.
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.
Get Your Bubble On. No, Really.
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.
Winning the Green Windbreaker: Inside the Real World of Pro Mini Golf
You might only win $4,000 if you take first place at this Masters tournament, but rest assured, professional miniature golf is real.
Former Jocks Report Happier Lives (Unless They Played Basketball or Football)
Study shows former college athletes report greater levels of well-being than nonathletes, except financially.
Cybathlon, a Global Bionics Competition, Debuts This October
The first-ever Cybathlon will showcase disabled competitors using state-of-the-art assistive robotic technology, from neuroproestheses to wearable exoskeletons.
Can You Really Cancel the Olympics?
With the Zika virus flourishing, some are calling for the cancellation of the Rio Olympics. But how feasible is this, really?
Why Some Fans Fall to Their Deaths in America's Sports Arenas
Some blame it on the spectators themselves, others on the railing heights.
The Real Reason Cities (Make That Taxpayers) Finance Sports Stadiums
Despite what team owners may say, the payment makes more sense psychologically than economically.
Who built the first miniature golf course?
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?
10 Worst Calls in Sports History
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.
10 Olympic Games That Nearly Bankrupted Their Host Countries
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.
What is the fourth out?
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.
Did Jackie Robinson Really Break Baseball's Color Barrier?
Who are some of the unsung players who paved the way for Robinson's momentous breakthrough?
How many ways can a batter reach first base?
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.
How Umpires Work
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.
What’s the infield fly rule?
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.
How Bunting Works
Sometimes in baseball you have to think beyond the blast. It's a game of tactics, and occasionally a bunt -- dropping the ball short and slow, right where it will give the infield fits and maybe score the runner on third -- wins games.
How to Break In a Baseball Glove
This is one of those rituals with a dozen different "surefire" recipes. We'll look at what really works – and what's only half-baked – when it comes to breaking in a baseball glove.
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