imgreat95
02-26-2003, 02:35 PM
Smizik: Fair game different for men, women
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
In September 2000, I wrote a column about boys -- some of them big, strong boys -- who were taking advantage of their rights and competing in high school field hockey, a sport played almost exclusively in this area by girls. I was astonished that some of these boys, who would have looked suitable on their school's football team, wished to compete against girls. I was astonished that the coach of the team claimed to have no problem with their participation.
These boys were playing against a team composed entirely of girls. Some of the girls were understandably fearful of being hurt, and there had been incidents in previous games that legitimized those fears.
But what was most astonishing about boys playing field hockey for Woodland Hills High School against Fox Chapel was that plenty of people believed there was absolutely nothing wrong with them doing so. Plenty of people, in fact, were pleased to see them playing girls' field hockey, which was their right because the sport was not offered to boys.
It was, they believed, fair turnabout for all the girls who were invading boys' sports. Some people believe that if it's OK for women to play on men's teams, it's OK for men to play on women's teams. As if it were that simple.
Men and boys competing in sports aimed for women and girls might be legal but it's hardly fair. Men and women are not created equal when it comes to athletics. Generally speaking, men are stronger and faster than women and, usually, the men are more coordinated.
So when a female is good enough to make, or even come close to making, a male team, it's a significant accomplishment -- whether she is a field-goal kicker or a wrestler. Such accomplishments should be praised, not criticized.
As a society we laud -- even marvel at -- a high school freshman who's good enough to win a starting spot on the varsity team. We never consider that he's taking the job of an upperclassmen. Same thing with a Little Leaguer who is so superior to his peers that he can move up an age group and play on the Pony League team. But let a girl get close to a boys' varsity team and there's outrage all around, although her accomplishment is at least as great as the freshman boy or the Little Leaguer.
All of which leads to Brian Kontak, who became famous last week when he said he intended to participate in the U.S. Women's Open. Kontak's comment were in response to the news that Annika Sorenstam, the best female golfer in the world, had been granted a sponsor's exemption to play in the Colonial, a PGA Tour event, in May in Fort Worth, Texas. Kontak thinks if Sorenstam can play in a men's field, he can play in a women's field.
This is exactly the kind of flawed thinking by people who believe boys should be allowed to play against girls in field hockey.
In Sorenstam's case, there is precedent for women playing in a men's event. Babe Didrikson Zaharias, considered the greatest woman athlete of the 20th century, played on the men's tour in 1945. There is also precedent for not necessarily deserving players being given sponsor's exemptions. More than a decade ago, the Nissan LA Open gave an exemption to a 16-year-old golfer who had no business being in the field ahead of some pros. But the sponsor thought Tiger Woods was worth it.
Even if there was not precedent, why shouldn't Sorenstam be allowed to compete against men? She dominates women's golf more than Woods dominates men's golf. It might be fun to see what she can do hitting from the men's tees and competing against the best players in the world.
Of course, it's a publicity gimmick. Sorenstam won't win, might not even make the cut. But she'll finish ahead of some men and there are people who will consider that newsworthy.
By contrast, there's nothing to be gained by Kontak participating in a women's field. Kontak is a professional golfer of limited accomplishments. He's 31 and plays on the Nationwide Tour, a minor league to the PGA Tour. His best showing on the PGA Tour was a tie for 17th in the 2000 Tucson Open. He's obviously desperate for a win, desperate for some recognition.
Kontak doesn't get it. He sees Sorenstam crashing a men's field and wants to do something similar. But when a woman can do what Sorenstam can, it's a sign of great athletic accomplishment. When a man does what Kontak wants to do, well, it's a sign he's not much of a man at all.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
In September 2000, I wrote a column about boys -- some of them big, strong boys -- who were taking advantage of their rights and competing in high school field hockey, a sport played almost exclusively in this area by girls. I was astonished that some of these boys, who would have looked suitable on their school's football team, wished to compete against girls. I was astonished that the coach of the team claimed to have no problem with their participation.
These boys were playing against a team composed entirely of girls. Some of the girls were understandably fearful of being hurt, and there had been incidents in previous games that legitimized those fears.
But what was most astonishing about boys playing field hockey for Woodland Hills High School against Fox Chapel was that plenty of people believed there was absolutely nothing wrong with them doing so. Plenty of people, in fact, were pleased to see them playing girls' field hockey, which was their right because the sport was not offered to boys.
It was, they believed, fair turnabout for all the girls who were invading boys' sports. Some people believe that if it's OK for women to play on men's teams, it's OK for men to play on women's teams. As if it were that simple.
Men and boys competing in sports aimed for women and girls might be legal but it's hardly fair. Men and women are not created equal when it comes to athletics. Generally speaking, men are stronger and faster than women and, usually, the men are more coordinated.
So when a female is good enough to make, or even come close to making, a male team, it's a significant accomplishment -- whether she is a field-goal kicker or a wrestler. Such accomplishments should be praised, not criticized.
As a society we laud -- even marvel at -- a high school freshman who's good enough to win a starting spot on the varsity team. We never consider that he's taking the job of an upperclassmen. Same thing with a Little Leaguer who is so superior to his peers that he can move up an age group and play on the Pony League team. But let a girl get close to a boys' varsity team and there's outrage all around, although her accomplishment is at least as great as the freshman boy or the Little Leaguer.
All of which leads to Brian Kontak, who became famous last week when he said he intended to participate in the U.S. Women's Open. Kontak's comment were in response to the news that Annika Sorenstam, the best female golfer in the world, had been granted a sponsor's exemption to play in the Colonial, a PGA Tour event, in May in Fort Worth, Texas. Kontak thinks if Sorenstam can play in a men's field, he can play in a women's field.
This is exactly the kind of flawed thinking by people who believe boys should be allowed to play against girls in field hockey.
In Sorenstam's case, there is precedent for women playing in a men's event. Babe Didrikson Zaharias, considered the greatest woman athlete of the 20th century, played on the men's tour in 1945. There is also precedent for not necessarily deserving players being given sponsor's exemptions. More than a decade ago, the Nissan LA Open gave an exemption to a 16-year-old golfer who had no business being in the field ahead of some pros. But the sponsor thought Tiger Woods was worth it.
Even if there was not precedent, why shouldn't Sorenstam be allowed to compete against men? She dominates women's golf more than Woods dominates men's golf. It might be fun to see what she can do hitting from the men's tees and competing against the best players in the world.
Of course, it's a publicity gimmick. Sorenstam won't win, might not even make the cut. But she'll finish ahead of some men and there are people who will consider that newsworthy.
By contrast, there's nothing to be gained by Kontak participating in a women's field. Kontak is a professional golfer of limited accomplishments. He's 31 and plays on the Nationwide Tour, a minor league to the PGA Tour. His best showing on the PGA Tour was a tie for 17th in the 2000 Tucson Open. He's obviously desperate for a win, desperate for some recognition.
Kontak doesn't get it. He sees Sorenstam crashing a men's field and wants to do something similar. But when a woman can do what Sorenstam can, it's a sign of great athletic accomplishment. When a man does what Kontak wants to do, well, it's a sign he's not much of a man at all.