Opinion | Underrated sports that I now appreciate and enjoy

Joe Perrino, Sports Editor

In addition to serving as sports editor of The Panther, I also have held a job this semester working with Chapman’s sports information team. One major benefit of that second job is getting the opportunity to delve deeper into sports on campus. 

But I had zero — I mean, absolutely zero — interest in water polo. At least, that was before I was forced to film the women’s water polo game against the University of Redlands April 10.

I’m someone constantly surrounded by sports, both in my free time and my work. Yet up until that day, my view was fairly limited. I mainly follow baseball, basketball, football and golf. 

As I watched the women’s water polo team compete, I couldn’t help be enthralled by the level of skill involved. 

“Dude, how the heck do they tread water and swim for that long?” I thought.

Once I mulled it over, it was inconceivable to me that anyone could paddle back and forth for eight consecutive minutes without grabbing onto the sides of a pool once. I can barely tread water at all, let alone survive eight minutes of thrashing, swimming, clawing and throwing. Ridiculous.

Once that appreciation set in, it was easier for me to watch and understand the gameplay. I realized that water polo is essentially an aquatic version of basketball. It might seem more similar to soccer, with the nets and long surface of play, but there are timed possessions with a shot clock and fouls that warrant penalty shots — or give the offender more space to operate. I think. Don’t quote me on that; I’m still a little confused. 

The most interesting part, however, is the advantages taller and stronger teams can have in water polo, regardless of another’s skill level. In my short time watching, I found that success determined by size disparity seems larger in this sport than any other.

When Chapman played Concordia University Irvine, an NCAA Division II school, there was a clear size difference between the players. Chapman’s swimmers, while potentially having the speed advantage, had no chance in a game they ultimately lost 18-5. Concordia players dominated near the goal like prime Shaquille O’Neal dunking on helpless slow-footed centers. They set up slow, methodical plays to run in a set formation, just like a frontcourt set in basketball. 

Fascinating.

Water polo wasn’t the only sport I’ve had the chance to dive into deeper this year. I, a baseball superfan and former player, had never much been interested in lacrosse. It’s an unspoken code that baseball and lacrosse players are mortal enemies. 

Yet while working the stats booth during an April 17 women’s lacrosse game, I found it similar, interestingly, to water polo — just a lot more hectic. I had to enter a new statistic into the “live stat” box score every five seconds, which was stressful but exciting.

In lacrosse, I learned teams set up offensive plays in a similar way to basketball or water polo, and they need to have strong endurance in running up and down the length of a football field each play. There is a shot clock in lacrosse as well, yet that doesn’t stop the games from being painstakingly long — the only negative thing I could find with the sport. With 30-minute halves and frequent clock stoppages, the game stretched past two hours. But maybe I shouldn’t be complaining when baseball games often go past three.

Sometimes, new passions and hobbies are sitting right in front of you if you just open your eyes. I called myself a sports fan, yet shut myself off from so many incredible types of athletics. 

These experiences, strangely, have opened new doors for myself not only now but in the future. As a parent, I’ll be more open and understanding of whatever sport my kids play, if they so choose. I can’t wait to take in more of these games in the future.