Soccer, the beautiful game, is the most popular sport in the world. According to FIFA, an estimated 265 million people actively played soccer in 2020. That’s a lot of people enjoying the art of the game on the pitch, which may lead you to wonder why it’s called a pitch in the first place.
From its original meaning to new approaches taking over, examining the history and usage of the word in regards to soccer provides a fascinating perspective into the world’s most popular sport.
Why is a Soccer Field Called a Pitch?
Soccer is arguably the most popular sport in the world, and the soccer field is its playing surface.But have you ever wondered why the soccer field is known as a “pitch”? We’ll take a look at why this terminology is used and explore some of the history and culture behind it.
The Etymology of the Term
The term “pitch” has been used in the context of sports for centuries.It can be traced back to the 15th century and was originally used as a verb meaning ‘to throw. ‘ In the context of soccer, it was first used around the 16th century and was adopted from common cricket terminology.
At the time, bowler types of sports required players to pitch, or throw, the ball before it could be hit, caught or otherwise interacted with. This style of play was known as “pitching”, and over time, the meaning of pitching and playing sports on a pitch became linked.
Why do We Still Use the Term Today?
Although the literal meaning of the word has changed over the centuries, and soccer does not require players to pitch the ball as part of the game, the term ‘pitch’ has remained a prominent part of soccer culture. This is primarily due to the fact that the term has survived in the language over the centuries and has become an established part of the sport’s vocabulary.
The term ‘pitch’ is far more widely used than the term ‘field’ within the soccer community, so it continues to stick around to this day. It’s likely that the term will stick with us for many years to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a soccer field is referred to as a pitch because the term has been in use in the sport since the 16th century and has become an established part of the language and culture of soccer.The literal meaning of the word may have changed over the centuries but it continues to be one of the sport’s key terms. Citation URL: https://www. realbuzz. com/articles-interests/sports/why-is-a-soccer-field-called-a-pitch/https://www. collinsdictionary. com/dictionary/english/pitch