10 worst and one more

jobs in sports according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.

Little League umpire

The constant catcalls from perturbed parents (above). The arguments with coaches. Standing behind the plate in 90-degree temperatures for two hours. What's not to like?

The Turk

This is the guy who prowls NFL training camps on cutdown days, essentially telling players that they'll be waived. "Coach needs to see you," the Turk will say. Try telling a 6-4, 320-pounder.

NBA sweat sweepers

No, not street sweepers. We're talking about sweat sweepers, the people who mop up basketball courts, keeping them dry so players don't slip. Yep, you get a courtside seat, but, man, this is gross.

Cutman

Forget the blood for a moment. A cutman in boxing has one minute between rounds to fix up a fighter. Now that's pressure. And remember Al Silvani, Rocky Balboa's cutman? The guy barely had any lines of dialogue.

Arizona Cardinals fan

The Cardinals have managed to turn rooting for an NFL team into work -- a painful experience only a masochist could enjoy. The Cards have never played in a Super Bowl. Heck, they've played in just seven playoff games since 1920!

FSU's kicker

It's not always easy to kick an oblong ball between uprights spaced 18 feet, 6 inches apart. You may have to battle an errant snap, a misplaced hold, foul weather, uneven turf and guys trying to block your kick. All those near misses against Miami mean incredible pressure.

New York Knicks coach

Isiah Thomas has a problem now that he's become the Knicks' head coach. Isiah Thomas is also the team's general manager.

Soccer's wall pillars

"Taking one for the team" has special meaning in soccer. If you're part of a "wall," you and some buddies stand 10 yards or so from the spot of a free kick. Your job: block a ball traveling 70 mph.

National anthem singer

Sure, it's an honor to sing it, but "The Star-Spangled Banner" is an awfully tough song to pull off. You need vocal range to hit the high notes. You must ignore echoes in a cavernous arena or stadium. Carl Lewis and Roseanne Barr never quite recovered from their terrible renditions.

Competitive eater

Eating is fun, but these folks sometimes take it to absurd lengths. According to the International Federation of Competitive Eating, a guy named Joey Chestnut recently ate 61/4 pounds of deep-fried asparagus in 10 minutes. That can't be good for you.

Mostly good choices. I'll throw in one more

Fact Checker for Golf World magazine

Their total disdain for the truth has to make it a thankless job.

That's assuming anyone checks facts up in Stamford Ct. By their past history, I'd have to say no.

Open Post- Bright & Early, Basil's Blog,