10 Sports That Don't Get Enough Love

By Andrew Brown

The world of sports is much bigger than most people realize.

If you walk into any given American sports bar and spark up a conversation with any given balding, overweight, debatably alcoholic American sports bar regular then the list of topics will likely be limited to the following: NFL, college football, MLB, NBA, March Madness, and (in the very near future) a little soccer talk if you are feeling ambitious.

That is a fair list of sports to be knowledgeable about, but if that is the extent of your sports knowledge then you are missing out on some of the world’s most popular and most oddly fascinating games and sports.

The fact is, although America has deemed itself the sports guru of Earth, a shining beacon of athletic achievement, Americans have shut themselves off to some of the most entertaining sports the world has to offer.

Fear not, though, America. Lucky for you, your friends at YHTS are here to highlight the games of the world and help bridge the culture gap. The YHTS staff may be built of nerds, but we are nerds with a purpose.

1.     Cycle Polo

One of the most interesting sports I have seen in a while. This has recently become huge overseas in places like Switzerland and France, Germany, and basically most of Europe.

2.     Midget Tossing

I feel like this doesn't need much explanation. 

3.     Major League Lacrosse

Ok East coast people, before you freak out about the fact that I effectively just compared lacrosse to midget tossing, recognize that I am doing your sport a solid. Despite my personal feelings about the individuals who play the sport, I actually love watching lacrosse. When it is played right there are very few sports that are more entertaining.

4.     Mountain Unicycling

5.     Badminton

One of the most popular sports across the pond, no London YMCA or gym is complete without a wrinkly old couple volleying away. Make no mistake, though, this game gets intense.

6.     Breakdancing 

I could watch breakdancing all day long. Top-flight breakdancers are some of the best athletes on earth and can manipulate their bodies in ways that would make Channing Tatum cry. This video just scratches the surface. Do yourself a favor and go waste two or three hours watching breakdance videos. You won't be disappointed.

7.     Whiffle Ball

Laugh if you want to but some of the highest level whiffle ballers make Yu Darvish look like he belongs in the Little League World Series.

8.     Handball

9.     Bossaball

This is actually one of the cooler sports you'll see. Leave it to the Spaniards to come up with some kind of crazy beach game involving inflatables, trampolines, and a volleyball net.

10. Extreme Ironing