[Cushak]

Originally Posted by Skruface

I consider airsoft a hobby, not a sport.

A hobby is a spare-time recreational pursuit. Hobbies are practised for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward. Engaging in a hobby can lead to acquiring substantial skill, knowledge, and experience. However, personal fulfillment is the aim, not competition - this is why I think airsoft fits this definition - in my experience, people participate in airsoft for enjoyment and interest, not to "win".

A sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Used by itself, sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing).

That said, "sports" have some things that airsoft has - namely a set structure of rules to determine "winners" and "losers" in a competition. "Sports" also have a lot of things that airsoft generally doesn't - coaches, referees, leagues, and perhaps most importantly, PROFESSIONAL ALTHLETES who play for cold, hard cash.

Until airsoft has actual leagues with refs, coaches, and paid professional players, it will always be a categorized as a hobby and not a sport, like stamp collecting or building model railroads.

+1. I like the hobby definition too. It isn't really competetive, maybe once in a while, but I've never really had the mentality of "I've gotta win!". I mean, you can have that attitude in sports too, but is it really a sport to you then, or hobby?