One thing I can say is he's active. My husband is not one to sit on the sofa and watch his sports - he plays them. While you can always get him to join in for a game of basketball or golf, it's softball that is his real passion. It's like the sports bottle he drinks from has been filled with water from the elusive fountain of youth. Immediately he's less stressed, wrinkles fade, he moves quicker and smiles. My goodness that game makes him happy.

And of course I'm happy to see him active, it's good for him. All day long he works a desk job, barely moving - except his face which goes from looking perplexed to frowning. So getting outdoors gets him moving. And a little vitamin D from the sunshine can't hurt either. Once in awhile he goes a bit overboard and has to pay the piper the next day but it always seems to be worth it to him.

What I like the best is that our kids have a great role model in their father. We happen to have 2 daughters but my husband treats them no differently than he would a boy when it comes to sports. I have to admit that neither of them have cottoned to softball but we do have an avid basketball player and the other has joined the school's volleyball team. Team participation brings about a better perspective on life and great coping skills they can use in whatever direction their life leads them.

Speaking of television, watching sports on TV is a constant at our house. My husband would give up his car and walk the 13 miles to work before he would give up his cable television with its 50 sports channels. While watching sports on TV is not my favorite pastime, I have to admit that there are worse things he could be watching. And aside from the occasional inappropriate Superbowl half-time show, most of the sports programs make for good kid TV.

If you're still looking for the positive side of your man's obsession with sports I have one last point to consider. You can always find a good gift idea. Sports gifts come in all shapes and sizes, expensive and cheap, collectibles and useable goods. My husband will never say he has too many baseball cards or ball caps. So I can always come up with an idea for Father's day besides a new tie.