I was reading a post on the NFL Chargers "Bush League" behavior; someone had never heard the term, and asked for a definition. It got me to thinking, and I felt it apt to write a post about "Bush."
Bush League (the best definition I can give): Bush League is a term I've most heard used on the baseball field, but can apply to any behavior seen as the lowest of low class in athletics. I've heard the term used in CA, IN, KY, MI, FL, AL, NC, HI, OH, GA, and AZ (all states where I've coached baseball).
Situations in coaching baseball where I've heard the term, "you're bush", "that's bush", "bush league move" etc...
1. Team A has a 10-0 lead late in the game and double steals:
Response, "coach that's a real bush move."
2. Team A records the third out of an inning and instead of rolling the ball towards the mound like is done everywhere in America, the first baseman throws it out to centerfield so Team B has to retrieve it.
Response: "Complete bush league, classless maneuver."
Side Bar: A team did that to us this year, as well as the following example.
3. Team A, the home team, takes its pre-game infield with the loudspeakers blaring the Harlem Globetrotters whistling song (this signaled me into the bush festivities.) Team A proceeds to play circus clown music while the visiting team takes their pre-game infield.
This would be classified as Grade A Major League Bush.
Response: “Coach you are complete bush, and so is your program.”
So as you can see Bush League is a complete disrespect for the game and/or your opponent.
I would classify kneeling the football halfway through the third quarter more bush than scoring a touchdown.
The term bush league is understood by different people differently.
This is the best way for me to describe "Bush".
Add your best “bush” examples, and we don’t need any sex therapy talk!
When Ron Burgundy's makeup artist didn't do a good enough job, that was Bush league.
When Ryan Leaf went bezerk on a reporter simply because he couldn't handle pressure, he was Bush league. Also, aren't QB's paid to handle pressure?
When a high school basketball team plays a game on the road, and the home team hikes up the temperature in their locker room with the hope of dehydrating them, or at least gaining a slight mental advantage...that is completely Bush league. And yes, that happened...
When a guy passes out after only 2 drinks, that is Bush league...
Chux-Bush League is very important and I take pride in understanding its perameters. The sex therapy part was for the sickos like "leave name here" who'd feel the need to belittle me.
ShooterB- Good examples, you're headed right where I'm going. Your grasp of American Comedy Genre Films is impressive! I love the Burgundy reference.
i agree with shooter: showing up to watch a game with no beer or food to share... Bush League. Complaining about free food or beer while mooching: Bush League.
beating down a helpless opponent by 50 points - Good Football.
Last edited by demonicume on December 12th at 9:36 AM.
I consider most questionably dirty plays to be Bush such as a cheap shot or something with the obvious intent of embarrassment. Perhaps something like Sean Taylor spitting in Michael Pittman's face in the playoffs last year. To me, running up the score isn't Bush league unless it's to ridiculous proportions and usually only when it happens in a Little League game or something where little kids are getting embarrassed.
But some drinking references here have allowed me to expand the parameters outside sports. The Milwaukee's Best reference is all too common although it usually happens with Natural Light instead. The mooching/complaining one is the one that really gets under my skin though. Or having someone you don't know who happens to be there just walk into your fridge and snagging some of your Coronas...ah maybe I better just stop before I get too depressed.
When an entire team comes onto the field to celebrate the go-ahead run, 1-0, in the top of the first then that is bush league. (Our leadoff hitter smokes a homerun, first pitch to tie it up, and we politely go wild).
When the 3rd base coach yells at a 12 year old kid to 'boot it' on a grounder to begin a game, that is bush league. Our response to that? 8 runs in the first inning.
I'm on the green. 4 footer for eagle on a 515 yard par five, dog leg right. My first Eagle attempt ever. Uphill put. Middle right of the cup. Firm it in and it's done.
Inhale. Exhale. Shoulders square. Chin is tucked. Aiming at the back third of the ball. Hands are firm. Inhale. Exhale. Backswing.
I hear the sound at the back of my backswing of a ball landing about six feet behind me from the deuschbags playing behind me.
Totally Bush League.
Choked on the putt. Ball hook swung around the hole and shot back at me about a foot and a half to the right of where I was. I was beyond pissed off.
Made the birdie. Kicked rogue ball into the sand trap making it about an 8' up and down.
We are in a 3 game series with Okie State at their place. I have thrown 2 2/3 jem innings, no hits, nobody on, 8 straight outs. Cruising.
Then I throw a low and outside change-up to their #4 hitter. A great sucking pitch and he hits it off the tin wall out past the centerfield wall. The entire stadium echoes with the tin sound of "Vibrating Tin". Not to mention a loud OHHHHHHH coming from the stands. I have to put my glove over my face to hide the giggle from the fact of how loud the sound was.
I record my 9th out with the next batter. I come out of the game and the next time their #4 batter comes up we peg him. Grade A Bush League! We almost had a brawl on that one, it was great!
Sportthink good definition post here. I concur with your representation of what is Bush!! It is most definately a baseball term 1st and foremost.
Yep our side was Bush for that day...lol. But I was not. I want to make that clear. I would never hit people on purpose. It is just not how I carry myself on a field. I would rather shove it up your #### another way. By putting you on the pine.
Our pitching coach always said if you throw a great pitch and they hit it out of the park then you beam him next time up. But if you throw a bad pitch and he jacks it, you have no right to throw at him. Our pitching coach was Bush league 24/7. It made for great fun, but I never took that advice to heart. I have brushed guys off the plate before just to send a message, but never have I intentionally hit a batter. Nor will I ever.
Me personally, i####uy gets the better of me, I want to throw it right back to the same spot again. Hitting him does me no good. It just puts a runner on base. I prefer to challenge him again. As a pitcher you must be able to throw anywhere on the plate, including the spot where he lazered one out of the park on you..lol.
When a basketball team is up by more than 6 points and less than 24 seconds left on the clock...and takes a shot, that is bush.
When a football team has a two posession lead with less than 4-5 minutes left and does ANYTING but run the ball between the tackles, that is bush.
When a pitcher intentionally walks a batter to break a hitting streak or a batter trying to hit for the cycle...that is bush.
When a baseball team has a 6 or more run lead in the 8th inning and bunts, hit and run or steals...that is bush.
When a hockey team is down by three goals in the third period and starts running opposing forwards...that is bush.
When USC recoverd the "onside kick" attempt by Notre Dame in the 4th quarter with 1:30 left in the game and the guy ran the ball down to the 4 yard line INSTEAD of just falling on the ball. That was bush.
Then when USC ran the ball two times for the touchdown instead of kneeling on the ball with a 17 point lead...that was bush.
I had a friend who was a huge USC fan. When they lost to Texas, I didn't rub it in cause I know what it's like to have your team lose. You don't want people rubbing it in your face. Anyone who would rub it in someone's face right after or during is Bush League to me.
who you pickin' monday sportsdrink? that's all i want to know, and that's all i care about. had USC not choked against UCLA they might've been there no?
Published sports column contributor, but I'm about the 560th ranked blogger on this site. I'll keep most of my posts sports related. My sense of humor exists to amuse myself. This has happened by default because I rarely seem to amuse anyone else. I'm ashamed that my favorite professional sports teams are from the city of San Francisco.
Favorite sports listed from favorite to least favorite: duck-duck-
goose, red-light green-light, freeze tag, marco polo, and hop-scotch.
