Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Sports

Cold NFL games brings you close
Amy Lewis

Going on a date to a sporting event can be one of the most fun ways to spend time with your "special someone," but it can also be a dating disaster. The sporting event of choice depends on a couple of factors. If it is a first date I wouldn't suggest something incredibly loud like basketball or football (unless you know ahead of time that the sport is your date's favorite).

If it is a date with someone you have dated before then I would have to say that football would be your best bet (assuming that your date likes football). A football game is a great place to go on a date for a number of reasons.

First, football is a fall sport, meaning the weather is beginning to get chilly outside. It's perfect weather for snuggling up with someone underneath a thick Oakland Raiders blanket (yes, I had to sneak my Raiders in here somewhere).

Second, people get very involved in the game. "Why did he make that call?" "It's about time they took Jamarcus Russell out." "Do you think he can make that field goal?" The conversation topics are endless so you never have to have one of those "awkward silence" moments.

The last reason a football game is such a good place for a date is that being a football fan is a lot like being in a relationship. There are ups and downs, good times and bad (unfortunately for my Raiders it's been mostly bad), and times that you wish you could just bail out, but in the end you love that team (or person) and you just can't leave them (unless maybe you're a Lions fan).

The worst sporting event to take a date on would be golf. Golf is not a spectator sport. No one wants to stand on their feet for hours following someone in khaki pants and collared shirts around.

Bringing a date to a golf tournament is just inviting them to spend one very long "awkward silence" moment with you. Except for the occasional clapping there wouldn't be any opportunity for conversation. Not that there are any topics to talk about. "Oh I really don't know about that nine iron, don't you think he should be using the seven?" Or better yet, "Why don't golfers wear those nifty little plaid pants and tall socks anymore?" If those topics don't stir any romantic chemistry between two people I don't know what will. And yes, you are detecting sarcasm.

NBA has the atmosphere you need
Ronnie Nurss

Hands down, the best sporting event to take a date to is an NBA basketball game. Basketball has everything to offer for an awesome date, so I'll break down the basics.

1) NBA basketball always takes place inside an arena so you and your date can wear comfortable clothes and dress to impress. Way better than freezing your ass off in 10 layers of clothing at a football game. Forecast of rain, snow, or triple digit heat? No problem.

2) Basketball is an exciting, fast paced game with numerous breaks and timeouts. This allows many chances to talk game and get to know your date, share laugh or two, get your flirt on, etc.

3) You have all kinds of food and beverage options. At Arco Arena, home of the Kings, you have the quick hot dog stand option or actual restaurants offering meals from seafood to steak. Same goes with drinks. Grab a beer or margarita at the bar, or you can enjoy a Sprite or Icee.

5) Basketball usually takes place during the evening and is a great stress reducer from a long day of work or school. It is usually a three hour event, which is perfect for a date. And games will wrap up around 10 p.m., with still plenty of the night left.

6) If the date completely sucks and you guys just don't gel, she has the NBA athletes to check out and you always have the cheerleaders, or dancers, to keep you busy.

You cannot go wrong with taking a date to a basketball game. The rules are easy for anybody to understand compared to football, and you are actually watching exciting, athletic athletes, unlike baseball. Oh yeah, and Kings tickets are now starting at an affordable 10 bucks.

The worst sport to take a date to, and no matter how much this hurts me to admit, is soccer. I personally think soccer is the greatest sport to watch, even over basketball. For a date though? Hell no. Soccer offers no breaks or timeouts and is more of a culture than a spectator sport. Unless your date is a soccer fan, the typical person will not be patient or knowledgeable enough to keep sane the whole match and actually appreciate the sport.

MLB is slow and steady for a date
Andrew McFadden

If you're in a relationship and seeking a way to expose your significant other to your fanatical, irrational and unexplainable love of sport, there is only one safe way to get that poor, unsuspecting soul's feet wet. And that's baseball.

The reasons are simple. It's a long, slow game that affords you time for plenty for conversation, explanation and food. Control yourself though! This is no time for garlic fries. Within the modern ball park we see the perfect date scenario created. First, there are sports. Which means the men are happy. Secondly, since the pace of a professional game is slow, the men can afford to split their attention and participate in conversation that expands beyond senseless muttering. Thus, the women are happy. Next, baseball is a summer game. So, unless you have terrible luck, good weather is guaranteed. Lastly, this event requires a time commitment. You don't have to be creative and spontaneous and have the most amazing solution to, "What do you want to do next?" You will sit and watch the next pitch, and the pitch after that, and the pitch after that. And best of all, you will receive service at your seat offering all of the best treats you could ask for.

Now, for those of you who are thinking you're such an awesome jock that you could take your special person to the sport of your choice and maintain your "fandom" and her interest simultaneously, you're just flat out wrong.

You could take her to the basketball game, but as you jump and scream, hoot and holler, and boo and hiss, the action will have progressed on to the next play, and then the next after that and she'll be as lost as can be. Sure, you'll try and explain the difference between a shooting foul and non-shooting foul, but she's still going to be wondering why they bounce the ball so much when it would be so much easier to just hang on to the darn thing. As she sits next to you patiently, in the arena that has risen to sauna-like temperatures before the second quarter, you'll be oblivious to the fact that she's not paying attention to you, but instead she's busily texting Steve, tomorrow night's date.

Football fan, you're not in the clear either. Your outdoor sport takes place through all the worst weather months of the year. If the heavens don't rain, sleet, or snow on your date, then I'm sure the drunk, 300-pound man sitting right behind you would be happy to accommodate her with a beer bath. One might think that the downtime between plays would be the perfect opportunity to explain the game to a new fan. However, by the time you explain that the yellow flag is a penalty, you must also explain: What was the penalty for? What's illegal formation? Who cares if he's standing an extra foot and half behind the line? If he's farther away why would the other team care? A reverse? Why would they go backwards? That would be dumb… And before you know it, the rest of Lambeau Field is going nuts because Bret Favre has thrown the most amazing pass to Antonio Freeman for a touchdown that will live forever on nearly any highlight reel ever created. And even though you were there to see it live, you missed it.

Next, women might like cars, but this doesn't mean you can take them to a NASCAR event. You might be able to get the best seats in the house with section 101 seats A01 and A02, but A03 was purchased by a beer guzzling, wife beater-wearing, pot-bellied, buck-toothed redneck that hasn't yet discovered deodorant. None the less, he has found a way to trade his life's savings for that seat. Smile, he likes to chat.

Play it safe and do the right thing. Baseball is the sport of America's pastime for a reason, and it should support your romantic interests as well.

The State Hornet sports department can be reached at sports@statehornet.com

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