13 Lesser Known Sports Facts That’ll Surprise You

Sports fanatics may assume they know everything about the games they are passionate about, but let us tell you, there's more than meets the eye. Were you aware that the average lifespan of a baseball in MLB is only five to seven pitches? Or that the Halifax curling rink was turned into a makeshift morgue during the Titanic catastrophe? 

Need a quick upgrade? Here are a few more surprising facts about sports you wish you had known. 

Super Bowl Rings For NFL Referees 

Super Bowl rings are a proud possession of highly skilled professional footballers but did you know that the NFL referees get them too? Every referee who officiates the Super Bowl is awarded one. They may not be as large or majestic as those of the players, but they are just as precious. 

Basketball's Bladder Made Way for Volleyball

In the late 1800s, William G. Morgan devised a less vigorous team sport called volleyball. For the ball, he wanted something that'd be light enough to be airborne. He used the basketball's bladder to make his first version of the volleyball, which underwent many changes to become what we use today.  

Pittsburgh's Plan for a Jetson's Style Stadium On a River

In 1958, a dozen years before the now demolished Three River Stadium was built, the Pittsburgh Pirates planned a spectacular and futuristic Jetson-style stadium over the Monongahela river. It could have seated 70,000 baseball enthusiasts, and the plans also included hotel rooms, bowling lanes, and 4500 parking stations. 

MLB Playtime Under 18 Minutes

For all the long hours we spend watching a baseball match, the real action lasts less than you'd think. Including the balls in play, trotting batters, the pitches, strikes, and throw-offs, the actual playtime in Major League Baseball is 17 minutes and 58 seconds. If you are wondering about pure action time, it's less than six minutes. 

Jump Ball at the Basketball Center Court

In today's times, jump ball is done at the start of the game and the overtime, but until 1936, it used to happen at the center court after every basket. The practice got phased out once the coaches began complaining about poor tosses and the undisciplined movement of the players around the circle. 

A 15-Yard Penalty for Incomplete Forward Pass

In the early 20th century, before professional football came into play, the sport had bizarre rules. One was the 15-yard penalty imposed on the team that went for an incomplete forward pass. Besides that, the defense also got hold of the ball. In fact, a forward pass did not get a favorable vote from the coaches. 

World War II Brought Two Teams Together

The effects of World War II were felt in sports too. In 1943, two teams - the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles joined forces to become one team. Since many players left to serve in the military during that period, the teams had no choice but to look for other ways to continue playing.

Olympic Gold Is Mostly Silver

Most of you believe the Olympic Gold medals to be actually made of pure gold, but that's not the case. It's made of 93 percent silver and six percent copper, with only one percent, which equals six grams used for the gold finish. At least until the 1912 Games, the gold medals were made of solid gold. 

Golfers Got Hole-in-One Insurance Cover

A quick look at how the Japanese golfers celebrate their hole-in-one hits; they gather their friends for a high-end treat that needs intense pre-planning. Believe it or not, the expense is so huge it's customary for them to get an annual premium cover of $3500 just so their near and dear ones can share their excitement. 

First Baseball Player Traded for Himself

In 1962, Harry Chiti was acquired by the New York Jets as a "player to be named later." When he consistently performed poorly for over a dozen matches, a player was traded for himself for the first time in the sport's history. The MLB catcher ended up back with the Cleveland Indians.

Soccer Is an Abbreviated Slang for “Association”

The online etymology dictionary clearly states that the word Soccer came from the slang "Socca" used for the term "Association," dating back to the 1800s. It later became socker and then refined to what it's known today. 

MLB Played With Dirty Balls

Not many may be aware that slick, freshly-out-the-factory balls aren't the best fits for baseball games. In fact, the dirtier, the better. The balls are meticulously rubbed with mud from the banks of the Delaware River to get the polish off so the pitchers can get a better grip. For over 75 years, the MLB has stuck to this tradition. 

A Perfect March Madness Bracket Is Unattainable

It's a myth that a perfect March Madness Bracket can be achieved. An autistic Illinois teenager came close in 2010 but buckled after making it past the initial two rounds. The illusion of the ultimate bracket perfection with one in a 9.2 quintillion chances was further compounded when Warren Buffet offered a one-billion prize for anyone who managed to do it.

Aren't you glad you uncovered a few more fascinating facts about your beloved sport? These nuggets of information are hidden and can only be found by those actively seeking them. They certainly add more color and flavor to the games we already love.