Carolina choked, can we write it?

[zagoshe]

I opined that Carolina choked on the CWS tonight, and the fact that they lost 3-2 because of three errors, some ridiculously bad base running and two of the most horrible eighth inning at-bats in CWS history would seem to support it.

The boss said choke is too strong of a word to use because they are not professionals but college kids. Obviously I grudgingly and quickly made a few, well more than a few, changes.

What's the consensus -- is it wrong to say college kids choked even when they are playing for the national title?

Keep in mind, I'm not interested in a discussion about whether or not Carolina choked in your opinion -- I believe they did but that's my opinion.

The issue at hand is whether it is ever proper to say college kids choked. I say yes, what do you say?

 

[TigerTown]

I'm reticent to use "choked" to describe any athlete's performance -- college or pro -- unless it's really obvious like two air-balled free throws when either one would have won the game. How do you know when an error was mental rather than physical? Unless a guy tells you he choked, it's hard to know what was going on in his head.

 

[Stupid]

well, the game was still tied when the error was made so it's hard to say that the Tar Heels choked since, by my definition, that implies giving away a sure victory.

But they made some bad mistakes at the wrong time.

I think they choked on Sunday night when they had a 5-0 lead, even though it was early.

 

[Left_Coast]

Or it's Phil Mickelson

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Chapel Hill could have done some things differently. The attempt to steal home was daring.

But it wasn't a choke.

 

[Stupid]

Fox blew it when he came out to talk to Bard. probably should have taken him out then after disrupting his rhythm and making him think about Rowe.

 

[Jim Halpert]

Keep in mind, I'm not interested in a discussion about whether or not Carolina choked in your opinion -- I believe they did but that's my opinion.

The issue at hand is whether it is ever proper to say college kids choked. I say yes, what do you say?

I love how you explicity said you didn't want a discussion of whether or not it actually was a choke, and that's exactly what the thread turned into.

If you're writing a column, then by all means say they choked, say whatever is on your mind. Just a game story? Saying Carolina choked is more commentary than anything else, so I'd try to shy away from it.

 

[WSKY]

North Choke-olina. Sounds good to me. North Carolina chokes on Beaver sounds even better.

 

[HejiraHenry]

I thought it was four errors. At any rate, you can imply in a game story that the Tar Heels threw the victory away, but "choked" would be too strong in that context.

Say it in a column, if you want. But be prepared to back it up, obviously.

 

[You're With Me Leather]

I've always felt that choke is too harsh a word for non-professionals.
Mickelson? Choked. Carolina? Threw the series away.

 

[Tom Petty]

if you're playing at a d-1 level, you deserve what you get. but choke belings in a column.

while on the topic, i still say that cross country national title in '61 was way, way more impressive.

 

[Columbo]

I opined that Carolina choked on the CWS tonight, and the fact that they lost 3-2 because of three errors, some ridiculously bad base running and two of the most horrible eighth inning at-bats in CWS history would seem to support it.

The boss said choke is too strong of a word to use because they are not professionals but college kids. Obviously I grudgingly and quickly made a few, well more than a few, changes.

What's the consensus -- is it wrong to say college kids choked even when they are playing for the national title?

Keep in mind, I'm not interested in a discussion about whether or not Carolina choked in your opinion -- I believe they did but that's my opinion.

The issue at hand is whether it is ever proper to say college kids choked. I say yes, what do you say?

Div. I-A players are fair game.