Sports Blog

Augusta Sportswear is located in Augusta, Georgia.  Their product line consists of uniforms, apparel, and accessories for a variety of team sports and fitness activities, including baseball and softball, basketball, soccer, track and field, football, cheerleading, jogging, and weightlifting.

Shoppers at RobbinsSports.com find Augusta Sportswear products to be fairly economically priced.  The quality of products manufactured by Augusta Sportswear is generally perceived as average to good.  The Augusta Sportswear products most recommended by Robbins Sports include their baseball pants and baseball jerseys, their cheerleading outfits, and their outerwear, especially their warm-up jackets and pants.

Augusta Sportswear is an ASI supplier, which means that they manufacture products that are intended for branding, such as promotional bandanas and tote bags.  Augusta’s sports uniforms and apparel are also manufactured for customization.  Robbins Sports commonly does customized screen printing on Augusta basketball and baseball uniforms and embroiders many of their corporate apparel items and warm-up outfits.

To shop RobbinsSports.com for Augusta Sportswear products, select “Augusta Sportswear” in the “Manufacturers” box on the left column of our online store.

Over the past few weeks, the NBA and its loyal fan base have been in an uproar over the recent Donaghy point shaving scandal. So much so, that my ears are still ringing with questions like ‘What does this mean for the NBA’s future?’ and ‘As fans, can we still trust that games are not being fixed?’ Being presented these questions, I ask myself whether or not a scandal can truly ruin a sport, as insinuated by this recent barrage of questions. But then I think, how many scandals have there been in the history of sports? Countless. Just open the newspaper and you will likely see the latest wave of star athletes appear in the police beat. And how many sports have crashed and burned as a result of these improprieties? Not a single one. Has Barry Bonds and his steroid scandal rocked the world of baseball? No. The MLB has simply implemented more stringent rules. Did Ray Lewis’ double -homocide charge bring down the NFL? No. Even when the ‘Great One,’ Wayne Gretzky, was linked to a hockey betting ring, the NHL came out unscathed. And let’s face it, no one really cared about hockey in the first place. So you would think that a scandal involving the NHL’s most celebrated player would have been the nail in the proverbial coffin. Yet, hockey is still going strong.

What can we learn in light of this evidence? We learn that SCANDALS DON”T RUIN SPORTS!!! They may ruin individual careers or knock down sports heroes from the elevated pedestals on which we, the fans, have put them, but scandals do not ruin sports. The fact that every major sport has survived is proof enough that scandals are really not all that bad.

So, now that it has been established that sports will continue to exist even in the face of the negative light that the occasional malfeasance casts them in, another question arises - are scandals good for sports? I would tend to think that they are. Here’s why?

The true, die hard fan of any sport is not going to going to be turned off by scandals. Take me for instance. I live for soccer. The spectacle of of 22 skilled athletes playing their way up an down a soccer pitch is absolutely exhilirating. That Maradona, one of soccer’s all-time legends, used his hands to score a vital goal in the World Cup and was later found guilty of using illegal drugs, does not deter me from watching the most beautiful game on the planet. Like I said, a true fan will always love sports. So, sports will never lose too much of its following seeing as how so many American are in love with sports.

On the other hand, scandals have a way of bringing the parties involved into the limelight. Even though scandals do bring with them negative press, it is still press. And as the old saying goes, any press is good press. My point is this. Contrary to popular belief, scandals attract viewers. Why do you think that there are so many worthless magazines in circulation in today’s society? Because the press knows that the general public absolutely loves knowing the dirty little secrets of the rich and famous. Just ask Paris Hilton. She recently ”endured” a short stint in jail and is now even more popular than ever. The same is true for sports. When learning of Kobe Bryant’s alleged rape case, my mother, who is not that big of a sports fan, began tuning in to watch. Does that mean she approved of what Kobe allegely did? Absolutely not! But she still watched. Much like a car accident, you don’t like what you see, but you are going to watch anyways.

Ever since I was a little boy, I have been taught to be honest in dealing with my fellowman. I still believe that today and in no way am I advocating the things that athletes are prone to do these days. But still, evidence exists that makes one believe that these scandals can actually help sports become even more popular. While proving not to be a real deterrent to true fans, they provide intrigue and excitement to those otherwise bored by sports.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales for Robbins Sports and Athletics, a national provider of athletic apparel and equipment, featuring top of the line Gym Bags, Portable Scoreboards, Basketball Uniforms and Track Uniforms.   

A few years back, the MLB came out with a new rule stating that the All-star game would forevermore determine home field advantage for the World Series. My question is this: Should the All-star game really play a factor in the World Series? The answer? NO!!!

Whereas all-star games of old were taken very seriously (remember Pete Rose’s famous collision at home plate?), nowadays, the All-star game serves more as a night of entertainment and honor for those deemed worthy of inclusion. Much like the NBA’s dunk contest and three-point contest, the MLB’s home run derby and jovial, paparazzi-laden atmosphere have cemented the MLB All-star game in the minds of the fans and players as a fun, middle of the season activity, not a competitive game. So, why should one night of lackadaisical baseball trump an entire season of hard work? Imagine this - The Mets give it their all for 162 games and end the season with a hard-fought and well deserved record of 104 wins and 58 losses. The Yankees, on the other hand, squeak into the playoffs with a 50-50 record as the wild card and luckily make it to the World Series. Also, adding to the luck that got them to the World Series, the Yankess, not the Mets, get home field advantage because the American League won the All-star game. Doesn’t that seem a bit unfair? Nevertheless, that is the reality of Major League Baseball today.

Ok, even though it seems as if the rule is completely pointelss, let’s say that the players go along with it and accept the fact that they have to win the All-star game to gain home field advantage. The result? The players who actually have a chance to get to the world series will likely be at their best. But others won’t. Just think about the Barry Bonds of the world. Yes, he is going to get the invite, because, steroids or not, he is a homerun machine. But, how long do you think he is going to stay in the game? Maybe for one or two at-bats in order to please the crowd. For the rest of the game he is going to do just that - rest. And so too will many of the best players in the league as they do not want to run the risk of injury. As a result, even if a player is trying hard to win the game so his team can have home field advantage, doing so will be difficult seeing as how the other players will be anything but reliable, taking the opportunity for some mid-season R&R..

Furthermore, why should a player from one team have to rely on players from opposing teams who have nothing to do with his team or his success? From where I’m sitting, the rule just doesn’t make sense. Do you see any other respectable league do what the MLB is doing? No. Because they understand that you reward the teams who put in the effort and win, not the team who by sheer chance is lucky enough to be on the winning side of a throwaway tribute to the best players in the league.

In sports, rules are a must. Without them you can’t really play. But this is one rule that just doesn’t make sense and should be done away with.  

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales at Robbins Sports and Athletics, an online resource for Basketball Uniforms, Gym Bags, Portable Scoreboards and Track Uniforms.

Someone sent me an email yesterday with a link to a video of “highlights” from Game 3 of this year’s Suns-Spurs playoff series.  The video’s premise is that Tim Donaghy helped fixed the series so that the Spurs would win, or so that they would at least have an advantage.  Although I haven’t seen a video dedicated to it, a better example could be made of the horrendous officiating that took place in Game 4 of the Jazz-Spurs series.  Watching some of the blatant missed calls - some by Donaghy, some by other refs officiating the game - makes me wonder what level of objectivity should be expected of professional referees.

In a court of law, the intention of the system is to produce a verdict that is as independent as possible from the prejudices of the jurors.  People who have too much familiarity with the person and issue in question, or whose backgrounds demonstrate that they would have “unfair” presumptions about the case are intentionally excluded from participating in any particular jury.  In the NBA and other professional leagues, such a lack of acquaintance with the players on trial throughout each game isn’t possible, since essentially the same referees are working the same games with the same players year after year.  Trends naturally develop, and it becomes somewhat obvious that refs develop biases towards or against particular teams or players.

For example, watch a few games in which Rasheed Wallace plays, and you’ll see that he generally gets technical fouls called on him more quickly and with less provocation than many other players.  I watched one game a few years ago in which the referee was upset that Wallace was looking at him in a way that he didn’t unappreciated.  Two technicals were called within minutes of each other and Wallace out of the game.  On the other hand, somehow Manu Ginobili has positioned himself as a “picked on” player who always seems to have the refs watching his back.  I’ve seen so many phantom fouls called against players defending Ginobili on plays where he makes a sloppy move to the basket and misses (reference the first part of the video I linked to above) that I have to wonder how he earned such preferential treatment.

There was a recent study published by some statisticians who concluded that white referees are more likely to call a foul on black players than on white ones.  The NBA obviously denied the claim, but the study is another example of at least the potential that any particular referee comes into each and every game he calls with a perspective that creates bias.  Whether he thinks Adam Morrison is a hippy so he lets the bigger guys hammer away at him, or whether he doesn’t like Allen Iverson’s tatoos and corn rows, there is no NBA, MLB, NCAA or other referee who doesn’t carry into the game a perception that influences how he calls the game.

The issue with the Donaghy situation is that the bias is taken to a higher level.  Since Donaghy’s indictment, claims have been made that there are others involved in betting on games over which they have some influence, including players.  The NBA has had a reputation for manipulating what should be pure competition in the interest of marketing and profit.  If it’s found that this betting scandal is widespread, fans like me may have more reason to think that we might be better off watching professional wrestling.

Richard Robbins is VP of operations for Robbins Sports, a retailer of basketball uniforms, basketball goals, and other basketball equipment.

With the insane amount of hype surrounding David Beckham’s debut in the MLS and America, everyone has been mezmerized by Beckham’s international stardom. Furthermore, with his lovely wife, Victoria, by his side, I don’t see how anyone could be anything but ecstatic by their arrival. However, as a result of all this, one question has been left unanwered, even by the most cynical critics. That question is whether or not the MLS’s inclusion of David Beckham is a good thing. Here’s what I think:

For Soccer:

David Beckham coming to the MLS is great for soccer. Some say that losing such a great player and star will somehow hurt the European soccer scene. But that is not going to happen. Not only is the best soccer still being played in Europe, but also the number of superstars in its respective leagues is rising daily. Yes, Beckham is a force to be reckoned with, on and off the field. But with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldhino Gaucho, Lionel Messi and Steven Gerrard filling Beckham’s shoes, there are still plenty of quality players to captivate the soccer’s viewing public. So, no, Europe is not going to suffer. Just think if Barry Bonds left the MLB. Is he a great player? Of course! But the league wouldn’t be all that different if he were to leave. The other superstars would pick up the slack.

On the other hand, the MLS is going to benefit beyond anything it could possibly imagine. Not only is Beckham a great player on the field, but his rockstar-like popularity off of it will bring hoards of new viewers to the MLS. Opponents of this notion may say that international superstars have come to the MLS in the past, making very little impact on the progress of the MLS in America. Very true. But, usually international players who make the transition are very much past their prime. Take for instance Youri Djorkaeff, Roberto Donadoni and Lothar Mattheus. Every single one of these players was a great player in his day. But when they were in the MLS, they were over the hill. None had stellar performances in the MLS and each retired soon after arriving. Conversely, Beckham is still in his prime. Last year, due in large part to his efforts, Real Madrid won the Spanish La Liga championship. Also, in his absence from the English national team, the Three Lions suffered tremendously; something that went away upon Beckham’s return. His picture perfect cross to Peter Crouch in England’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia is a skillful reflection of just how good Beckham still is. You would be hard pressed to find anyone that can deliver a cross like that. So, this move is great for the MLS. They are getting a player with absolutly brilliant skill who will also bolster the league with his fame.

For Beckham:

The MLS is undoubtedly going to benefit from this move, but will Beckham benefit as well? Well, yes and no. His wallet is definitely not going barren anytime soon, what with the 5-year, $250 million contract he signed with the LA Galaxy (something that has not gone unnoticed by his wife “Posh Spice” who is known for living up to her ritzy name). Moreover, his children will probably benefit as well. While England is by no means a country in dire straits, the US is the most powerful country in the world and offers its citizens countless opportunities. Growing up in America will allow the Beckham children every chance they could ever want.

However, in terms of his career, David Beckham made the wrong move. As previously mentioned, Beckham is still as skillful as ever. And let’s face it, the MLS is an inferior league to the giants in Europe. So, I feel, as do many serious soccer fans, that Beckham’s introduction to the MLS is sort of a slap in the face. It is just sad. He is simply too good for the MLS. Imagine if Michael Jordan had left the NBA after his 6th successive NBA title to play in the Italian basketball league. Murmurs of “say it ain’t so” would be heard all around the country. A similar situation is unfolding in Europe. European soccer fans cannot believe that Beckham would stoop to the MLS’s level. Honestly, it is kind of pathetic.

So, is Beckham in the MLS a good thing or a bad thing? Both. It just depends on how you look at it. It is great for the MLS. And it is even good for Beckham to a certain extent. But, as far as his career is concerned, David Beckham’s swan song has come prematurely.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales at Robbins Sports and Athletics, an online resource for Track Uniforms, Basketball Uniforms, Gym Bags and Portable Scoreboards. 

I used to run for competition, so I ran a lot. In fact, on top of having practice everyday, every other day we had two-a-days, so I would average anywhere from five to ten miles a day. Along with this, invariably, would come aches and injuries. There are certain things you can do to prevent injuries and other things you can do to alleviate pains.

First of all, stretch! Of course it is easy to skip or overlook this part of your workout, but it is also the easiest way to prevent aching muscles and even torn muscles that could have you sitting out for long periods of time. Stretching is especially important when it is cold. There are so many different stretches and you don’t have to do them all, but make sure you do enough to cover the basic muscles you are going to be using. It is a good idea to stretch before your workout- preferably after a warm-up- and then once again after your workout. Stretching frequently also allows your body to become more flexible.

Another common injury among serious runners (you typically have to be running countless miles to incur this injury) is shin splints. If you have had these before, they are not fun. The muscles on the front of your lower legs feel tight and stretched and shoot pain when you try to run on them. You can even feel it when you walk. My understanding of shin splints, having gotten them on multiple occasions, is that they are caused by the imbalance of your calf muscles becoming stronger than your shin muscles. There is a very easy, simple remedy to overcome this injury or even to prevent it. It is called shin lifts (I am sure there are different name variations). You place your foot on an incline with your toe pointing down. Place some type of weight (An ankle weight typically works best) on your toes and lift your toes up as far as you can to where your foot is level but the very end of your heel is all that is touching the incline. Do one foot at a time and do as many of these as you can- you will start to feel it around 40-60. Rest a minute or two and then do it again. Do this either once a day or every couple of days if you are running heavy or feel you are starting to get shin splints. It actually doesn’t take that long to start feeling better again.

Even after my competing years (still running) I could feel myself starting to get shin splints again, so I went to the weight room of the Rec Center where I was a member. I spent a few minutes searching for said wooden plane with a weight, which I was used to, but to no avail. I asked one of the workers and he said they didn’t have one because normally people don’t run enough to get shin splints. However, he was helpful and showed me another way to work these muscles. There is a weight machine called a horse where you lift the weight as it rests on your shoulders. You can position your feet on the bar that goes along the floor so that your heels are what rest on it and you lift your toes up and down. There is yet another way to work these muscles, one in which you can do at home. Stand on something, say the edge of your bathtub, with your heels and lift up your toes. You don’t have to use a weight since you are standing and using your body weight. As a precaution, I would suggest holding on to something to keep your balance and to prevent bodily harm from falling.

Having sore muscles is another ache that can happen for multiple reasons. Icing them is a common therapy, which is good for injured muscles as well. Place a bag full of ice where your muscles are sore. It works best to have a bag full of tiny pieces of ice. Of course, it will sting for a couple of minutes being cold, but keep it on there for about fifteen or twenty minutes, take it off for fifteen or twenty, and then put if back on for fifteen or twenty minutes and repeat a couple of times. You don’t want to leave the ice on for too long at one time and get a freezer burn.

I remember near the end of one racing season being sore all over, particularly my legs. A friend suggested taking an ice bath. She explained that you fill the bathtub up with cold water and put ice in it to get it really cold and then to sit in it. She said this was an excellent way to regenerate your body. Although I meant to, I never actually tried it, but it does sound like a good idea! It is just like those whirl tubs with all the ice that you see athletes sit in.

Running can be a great way to get in shape and stay in shape. It makes me feel better, allows me to reduce daily stress, and gives me down-time to myself. Injuries and being sore can happen (as with anything else), but don’t let it be the reason why you don’t get out there.

Julie Graham is a Marketing Rep. for Robbins Sports, an online provider of Track Uniforms, Running Apparel, and Jogging Suits

In 1930, the US national soccer team got off to a roaring international career at the inaugural World Cup. In a tournament mostly dominated by South American teams, the United States reached the semi-finals. However, since then, the USA’s record has been rather poor. And that is being generous. Apart from 2002, where they reached the quarterfinals, the men’s national team has faired very badly in international tournaments. The latest incident being the 2007 Copa America where the US was utterly and completely lambasted by its South American competition. You have to ask yourself, why? The United States is one of the largest countries in the world with, arguably, the most physically gifted athletes. Furthermore, with an incredibly powerful economy, Americans have almost unlimited resources for training and equipment.

So, why can the USA never seem to reach the highest eschelon of international soccer? The reason is actually very simple. We simply do not have the skill that the rest of the world enjoys. US ball movement is less crisp, slower and not nearly as accurate as some of the better teams in the world. Also, the US has become incredibly predictable in terms of how it attacks. If it ever wants to become an actual offensive threat, ingenuity and creativity will somehow have to be embedded into its game. Plus, defending has become more of an option than a mandatory part of the game. The list of the national team’s inadequacies goes on and on, from sub-par distribution from the back to inefficiency in front of the goal. Simply put, when the US participates in international tournaments, it is overmatched.     

Now that the US finds itself in hole, how can it dig itself out? The answer, like the problem, is a simple one. US players must leave the country and join the more prestigious leauges around the world, even if that means leaving America prematurely and training with secondary teams for awhile. If you look at the rosters of international soccer powerhouses, you will notice a common trend - their players have a wealth of experience in the tops leagues around the world playing against the best opposition around. To elevate your game, you must play against worthy opponents who will push you to the limits. Take Brazil for instance. Every single one of their starting players has left the Brazilian league to compete in top European leagues. On the other hand, at least half of the US starting lineup plays in MLS, a less talented league. And those who actually do play internationally have only been doing so for a short time. How can the US team even pretend to think they have a fighting chance on the international stage? Without more experience, the US is just going to get more of the same - disappointing results.

On a brighter note, in recent times more and more US players have signed with teams overseas. With players like Benny Feilhaber and Clint Dempsey becoming more techinical, talented players, there is a shed of hope for the US national soccer team. Hopefully, they will be a shining example of how to approach one’s career and will be followed by other talented youngsters. Otherwise, the US team will never be able to compete with the Brazils and Frances of the world. 

Some say that taking all of the talented, young players out of the MLS and sending them overseas is not a good idea as it prevents future growth in America. I agree that doing so will prevent growth. But my point is that if the MLS retains the young talent coming out of America, the national team will continually perform at a sub-par level. The nations that have sent their stars away from home have, in fact, suffered domestically. But they are now forces to be reckoned with. Just look at Argentina, Portugal, Holland, the Czech Republic, etc…

The choice is simple. Does America want to bolster their domestic league which may never really be supported anyways due to the popularity of other American sports, or does it want success on the international level? This is one soccer fan who would prefer to see the US finally reach their potential and make a name for itself in the upcoming world tournaments.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales for RobbinsSports.com, an online resource for Gym Bags,  Portable Scoreboards, Basketball Uniforms and Stopwatches.

Ultimate is a fun, energetic game. I don’t play it that often, but I enjoy it enough that I love to play it whenever I have the opportunity. If you don’t know how it is played, it is much like football. Two opposing teams start out on opposite ends of a playing field. One team throws the Frisbee as far down the field as possible to the receiving team, which then tries to get the Frisbee to the other end of the field. When you catch the Frisbee, you are only allowed one or two steps (if any). You have to stay where you caught it and then pass it to a teammate. If the Frisbee is dropped, it automatically is passed to the other team. An opposing player can either intercept the Frisbee or hit it to the ground to turn it over. You can hit the Frisbee out of a player’s hand, but you cannot hit the hand or arm of the person throwing it.

It is a fairly simple game and does not require a vast amount of ability, which makes it fun for so many although, it can be played on higher levels for a competitive sport. I have seen great skill from some who can throw a Frisbee in amazing ways, in complete accuracy, and in great distances. It is fast-paced since there is no stopping until a score is made and sometimes the Frisbee switches possession fast enough that you find yourself running back and forth constantly. However, you can slow down too- it depends on the people you are playing with. You can run as much as you want, jog a little to catch your breath, or find a few moments to stand or walk, but try to keep up with the players around you! Playing man-to-man can be a great strategy.

I played a few nights ago for the first time in a couple of months. On a long pass down to the “end zone” one of my fellow teammates who was sprinting, dove for the Frisbee to barely snatch it in his hands before hitting the ground and skidding to make a score. It is plays such as this that create the most fun and memories out of the game.

Robbins Sports is an online provider of Custom Cyling Jerseys

A question that has been at the foerfront of the minds of many sports authorities is whether or not professional sports leagues should implement a minimum age requirement before players can turn pro.

My thoughts on the topic are two-fold. Yes and No.

No, because this is a free country. Who are we, or the commissioners of the various sports leagues for that matter, to tell a person what to do with his or her life? Is it not our God-given right to choose our own path? Furthermore, as a college-aged person, you are considered an adult. You can vote, you can get married and most importantly, you can go to war. Now, I am no politician, but in my estimation if you are capable of fighting and dying for your country, you should be able to play professional sports. But then again, that is just my opinion.

That is the theoretical viewpoint regarding the issue. Now, as for the practical side of things, should there be an age requirment in sports? Of course! Here is why. If there is an age requirement, more and more young athletes will be forced to stay in school and get and education. Yes, the point of going to college is to secure one’s future, and you could argue that by going pro an athlete is doing just that. But to put all your eggs in the basket of professional sports is just not smart. While there are instances where young players enter the professional ranks and succeed, a la Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, the harsh reality is that most young athletes who leave school to become professional athletes don’t make it. 

Think about it. What happens when a player enters his or her respective sport and gets injured or cut from the team? Their career is shot, the chance of getting a good education becomes slim and the former athlete is left with bills to pay and no way of paying them (because let’s face it, when young athletes get a little money, they buy houses and cars  and boats and whatever else there inexperienced hearts desire). As a viewing public, we only see the success stories. But there are many, many more athletes who fail.

For the most part, forgoing a college education and opting to become a professional athlete is a risky move. The probability of succes is minimal. Just ask any statistician. (You can’t ask the players themselves because most of them don’t stay in school long enough to learn about statistics.)

So, should there be an age requirement in sports. I don’t think so. Limiting a person’s rights by telling him or her what to do is wrong. But the fact that there is no rule stating that a young athlete has to stay in school does not mean that leaving school is the right thing to do. Somehow, someone needs to enlighten young athletes about the realities and rigors of life. Remember, professional sports aren’t going anywhere. Stay in school and get an education! Waiting an extra couple years is worth it. Leaving school prematurely and risking your future is not.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales at Robbins Sports and Athletics, a national provider of athletic apparel and equipment, including quality Gym Bags and Portable Scoreboards. 

I am a huge sports enthusiast to say the least. I enjoy watching and playing every sport under the sun. To say that I am proficient at every sport would be bending the truth a bit, but I love them just the same. However, certain aspects of some sports absolutely enrage me. At the top of the list is flopping.

For those of you who are not familiar with this term, flopping is when a player experiences minimal contact from an opposing player and proceeds to fall to the ground in a fit of pain. In essence, flopping is faking to get the call. It is a cheap trick and players who are thought to be flopping should be heavily penalized for it.

You may think that flopping is not something to get so riled up about. But, you are wrong and here is why. Flopping is ruining sports. When a 200-pound guard cuts through the lane and bumps into a 350-pund center, would that contact really make the center fall to the ground? Take for instance Shaq and Tony Parker. There is just no way that someone so small can make someone so big fly threw the air as is seen when someone flops. Now, I have heard the argument that players simply embellish what are truly fouls so the officials see what is really going on. But to me, that is just plain wrong. Did you ever see Bill Russel or Wilt Chamberlain flopping? No. They played hard and tough and found ways to win championships without ever flopping. It is ridiculous. And the worst part is that referees fall for it. So, on one hand, sports are being ruined because flopping is straight up cheating and players get away with time and time again. 

On the other hand, flopping is ruing sports because it has become so ludicrous at times that referees often ignore real fouls because they feel that the players are just faking it to get calls. For example, last night I was watching the Under-20 World Cup. The United States was taking on Uraguay in the first round of the knockout stages. Now, for anyone who has ever watched soccer (and believe me, I am probably the biggest soccer fan around) diving, the soccer version of flopping, is very prevalent in the game. Often times, replays show that the player, who seems to have had his leg broken by the “foul,” was not even touched at all. However, during this game that was not the case. Danny Szetela of the United States was marking one of the Uruguayan forwards when his Uruguayan began to flail his arms about, eventually striking Szetela in the head. During Szetela’s descent to the ground, the USA players were completely outraged. But the referee and the linesman, who were only a few yards away, let the infraction go unpenalized. Not only did the player deserve to be called for a foul, he also deserved to be thrown out of the game. However, seeing as how the referee thought Szetela was faking it, there was no call.

These kind of antics make it incredibly difficult for the referees to know what is a true foul and what isn’t. With bodies hitting the floor every five seconds, when do you know who is really being fouled and who isn’t? The result? The integrity of sports is being threatened. Sports are becoming unpure. Nowadays, the best actor, not the best athlete, comes out on top. Something must be done about flopping or the quality of the sports in which it occurs is going to continue to deteriorate.

In my opinion, each sport should have some kind of punitive panel consisting of people dedicated solely to policing flopping. By using video replay, floppers can be caught in the act and penalized accordingly. Maybe then this nonsense will stop.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales for Robbins Sports and Athletics, an online resource for Gym Bags and Portable Scoreboards.