SCORES & OUTDOORS: One in three Mainers admits they have lost interest in playing sports

by Roland D. Hallee
Recently, LiveSportsonTV.com sent along this statistic. It’s truly disturbing that Americans have gone to couch surfing as their national pastime.
I used to participate in many sports in my younger years – softball, golf, tennis, table tennis, hockey, volleyball – to name a few. One of the more interesting games was walleyball, where you play volleyball in a handball court using the walls – pretty intense.
Today, I only play golf, for various reasons. As you can see, it’s a matter of not having the stamina and dexterity I once had. Also, the facilities are not what they used to be. Outdoor tennis facilities have diminished, and the softball and hockey leagues have been long gone for quite some time. (I played softball and hockey into my 50s.)
So, here is what the survey had to say:
Americans are increasingly trading sneakers for screens, as the rise of technology has made it easier than ever to watch sports instead of play them. With live games, instant replays, and highlight reels available on phones, tablets, and every social media platform imaginable, the thrill of the game now comes in bite-sized, bingeable formats. While stadiums still fill up, backyards and parks are quieter – people are far more likely to stream a game than join one. The convenience of watching has outpaced the effort of participating.
LiveSportsonTV.com set out to measure just how much this trend has shifted, polling 3,024 adults to find out how many have lost interest in actually playing sports.
The findings paint a telling picture. Over 1-in-3 (36 percent) of Mainers say they have lost interest in playing sports. This compares to a national average of 36 percent. LiveSportsonTV.com also asked, “If you had an hour to spend on sports, would you rather play or watch?” In Maine, 73 percent picked watching over playing – a stat that might make gym teachers everywhere wince.
Losing the Love – and What Might Bring It Back
So, what’s stopping people from playing – and what might get them off the couch and back in the game? The survey paints a clear picture of both the practical and emotional hurdles standing in the way of participation.
A significant portion of respondents said they’d be far more likely to play if they had friends or a group to join, highlighting the deeply social nature of sports. In fact, nearly half of all participants pointed to this as their main barrier, suggesting that loneliness – or simply lacking a go-to crew – may be benching more would-be players than we realize.
Time was another major obstacle. Over a quarter of people surveyed admitted that their schedules just don’t allow for regular play. Between the demands of work, family obligations, and the ever-present lure of streaming platforms, carving out even an hour for something like pickup basketball feels increasingly difficult.
Access was also a recurring theme. About one in six respondents said they simply don’t have enough local options or facilities nearby. If the nearest court requires a long drive or if the local league folded years ago, it’s no surprise that motivation starts to wane.
Roland’s trivia question of the day:
With Garrett Crochet flirting with a no-hitter last Sunday, who was the last Red Sox pitcher to hurl a no-hitter?