Stadium or Sofa?

While sitting with my friends watching the Super Bowl and hearing one of them talk about the Winter Classic hockey game he went to the day before at Camp Randall, I began to think about which sports are good to watch in person, and which are better to experience live. I've been to all sorts of sporting events in my life, both in the college and professional ranks, and there is definitely a difference for some sports, and I've developed a preference for watching certain sports live or on TV. Here's a rundown of these different sports and a little explanation why.

FOOTBALL
-Believe it or not, actually watching the game much better on TV. Granted, there aren't many things that can compare to a Lambeau Field or Notre Dame Stadium tailgate, or Wisconsin pregame, once you get inside the stadium, the game doesn't compare to on your couch. The way that stadiums are set up, most people can't afford a close enough ticket to be able to really see the whole field, and for at least half the game, your team is working as hard as they can to move the ball as far away from your seat as possible. On TV, you never have that problem. The yellow first down lines on TV as well as the other statistical information on screen are an added bonus too. Plus, no lines for the bathroom and a stocked fridge. Having only one game a week allows you do devote your time to your couch and your remote on Sundays. Another big key is never having to deal with the elements. If it's sleeting in Buffalo or a blizzard in Cleveland, it will always be a crisp 68 degrees in my living room.

ADVANTAGE: SOFA

BASEBALL

-America's Pastime was meant to be experienced in the ballpark. With 81 home games every year, it's easy to find a day that works for you and seats that fit within your price range. And if you thought tailgating was fun for football, imagine enjoying your brats and burgers on a warm summer evening rather than a brisk, fall Sunday morning. To me, nothing beats eating peanuts and sunflower seeds in a park, watching and talking baseball with your friends. There's no commercials to sit through, and time between innings to me is as interesting as the game itself. Watching hitters and pitchers warm up, seeing where the defense aligns, and T-shirt cannons make the in-stadium experience far superior to at home.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM

BASKETBALL

-Unlike football, the basketball court is small enough where basically any seat in the arena can see all of the action. And also unlike football, the action is continuously back and forth so every seat gets to see the same amount. But in basketball, there is no clear cut winner. To me, there is no better television event than the first round of March Madness. But then again, I'm going to be more interested in a NBA or NCAA game that I attend rather than watching it on TV. One cool aspect of basketball is that, if you are close enough, you can hear the verbal interaction between coaches, players, and referees that you don't pick up on at home. Plus, if you're at the arena, you never have to hear Dickie V.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM (slightly)

HOCKEY

-I'm not an avid hockey fan, and I don't watch a whole lot of hockey on TV. I've watched some playoff series, specifically when Crosby or Ovechkin are involved, and those are really only watchable in HD. However, whenever I get the opportunity to watch hockey in person, I jump at the chance. Being able to see the whole ice is a great advantage to watching the camera try to follow the puck. Plus, cheering on a fight live is much better than in your recliner.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM

SOCCER

-HDTV has put watching soccer on TV above watching it live. The camera angles are wide enough that you can see a good portion of the field, and then HD is clear enough to be able to distinguish players from one another and follow the ball. Also, with soccer, the announcers are normally knowledgeable enough to keep you informed about the intricacies of what is happening, like if there is a wing streaking down the sideline or a defender that may have been taken out and hasn't gotten back on D. Watching the 2006 World Cup final in HD was one of the more memorable sporting events I've ever seen on TV, which is why I'm excited to watch the 2010 Cup from my living room.

ADVANTAGE: SOFA

NASCAR:

I've never been to a NASCAR race, but everyone who has will tell you that the trackside experience is far superior to on TV. Seeing the tens of thousands of fans that pack those racing grandstands, I'm not going to argue. I can see where they are coming from, as NASCAR would be an event that appeals to your sense of sight, sound, and smell, unlike other sports.

ADVANTAGE: STADIUM

TENNIS/BOWLING/POKER/DARTS, etc.:

Much better on TV, because you can change the channels during commercials or when you get bored.