Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) -- that would be me. (And Jan) I wasn't joking.

Sir WIlliam Schuyler

Haha...that sounds crazy!

I used to do that for real. It was called Battle Guard. Not to be confused with the more militant and dangerous Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) which stages mock battles with real/realistic armor and wooden/blunted weapons (which could break bones). Ours were always created with fiberglass tent poles (rigid yet flexible and durable when taped together) covered with closed-cell foam. You couldn't use the weapon until it had been checked at the beginning of a melee, but we had everything from pole arms to double-bladed swords (really impractical) to dual-wielders (very common) to the standard sword-and-boarders. We even had archers thanks to Nerf blaster balls attached to the end of real arrows.

Lots of fun and the worst injuries were the occasional bruise from getting shield-bashed or the inevitable (and illegal) head shot.

tennis and hockey

I was so engulfed in sports as a kid. I really loved it and it kept me out of jail, I'm sure. I was recruited by several schools for college football, even as a junior. But, I have come to think that much of pro sports is just a key component of "breads and circuses". A neighbor of mine just retired from the Raiders and we have really nice chats about football. I still love watching college ball but will dial in the Niners, Raiders or Seahawks if I'm done with my chores. I grew tired of the pink shoes and anti-gun rhetoric in the NFL the past few years.

I took up formal boxing training in my adult life (as opposed to just getting hit in my youth) and have grown to really love the sport. Amateur boxing is really special to me. And, my firsthand involvement has played a role in keeping myself somewhat fit. Amateur boxing is rife with kids who have nothing, but often possess good character and bravery. You can't B.S. your way through rounds in the ring. You're on your own and you've got to face your fears and fight.

As long as there is a market to support it why not? Although I think the population would have to grow to a certain level in order for that to happen. I've always been too nerdy to like professional sports in my own case, so I'd probably go 'eventing' with WilliamShipley. At least that is what I hope he is talking about, maiming and killing each other for real with swords doesn't sound very fun :)

We put on armor and fight with swords and shields.