Little known events like the Little 500 are what make this book unique
o.k. , so we all know the Super Bowl, Final Four, and the Masters golf tournament have made the 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live but what about the events you might not have ever heard of? or might not even care about? Well I am here to tell you why you should care and will care.
Three of my favorite little known events that are a big success each year have either just taken place or are about to take place. The 2009 version of the Little 500 last week was one of the best ever according to Jenny Bruffey, who heads up the IU Student Foundation. Jenny promised me some good pics that she took that I can’t wait to see.
The image that always comes to mind whenever I see this event is of the movie Breaking Away. That great movie took the Little 500 off the IU campus and into theaters across the world. Yes, that race really does happen each year and there is a team called the Cutters. My favorite character in the movie is the guy who also played Kelly Leek in Bad News Bears. Which brings me to another great event you may not have guessed made the list, the Little League World Series.
The Little League World Series takes place in Williamsport, PA each year. What an awesome tournament this one is. I totally wanted to play in this event as a kid, but now I have to settle for watching. Hell, I could watch pick up softball in Central Park and be happy. Go to this one and you might just see the next Danny Almonte in action! Well, maybe not him but who can forget Chris Drury, yes that Chris Drury winning the title for Trumbull, CT in 1989. The best part is watching these kids from all over the world play against each other. Its tough to come to grips with, knowing that so many 12 year olds can strike me out, but I usually get over it by the second day.
Then there is one of my all time favorites which many people don’t even consider a real sport. What is a real sport anymore anyway when most people consider poker to be one. At least the Nathans Hot Dog Eating contest has some real physical exertion going on. Hey, don’t get me wrong I love poker as much as the next guy but I have a better chance of winning the WSOP then beating Joey Chestnut in a hot dog eating contest. This is one you have to go see live. They do an awesome job with the whole event and whats better then the 4th of July on Coney Island?
