In a fast paced game, whether you  hit the ground, the ball, or another player, it hurts. In contact sports players are taught to hit harder than their opponent so it hurts less.

In baseball getting pegged by a high school pitchers’ fast ball can result in serious injury. No matter how bad it hurts, acknowledging the pain is considered improper etiquette, in baseball.

On the other hand, in the world of soccer, an injury calls for the best acting possible. Included but not limited to: screaming, diving, rolling around and crying. All in the hope of playing the system and getting a call from the ref.

Soccer players gain from this acting by getting calls for their team. Baseball players will only get taken out of the game with no chance of returning.

Acting out an injury for show can actually end up getting into the actors head. Minuscule injuries sometimes seem like the end of the world when rolling around trying to exaggerate the pain of a bump, pull, or shove.

When soccer players go down, the whole stadium stops. Every time the game is stopped for an injury, there is only a small chance the player will be hurt enough to sit out multiple games. Usually they make a dramatic scene, limp back to their positions and suddenly by a miracle they are back playing full force.

When a baseball player gets pegged, everyone in the stands oohs and ahhs, but the tough player takes a jog to first, seemingly untouched. The coach at first base will give the runner a pat on the head and the next batter is already in the box.

In soccer, getting the right call from a ref can change the momentum and the score board. Whereas in baseball, being tough and showing no pain is a psychological factor that effects the opponent and intensity of the game. Faking fouls and being tough are factors in two very different games, but its all part of playing the system.