definite articles for sports

Question

Are definite articles always used when talking about sports? Why is it necessary?

Me gusta el baloncesto. o Me gusta baloncesto. Are both correct?

Answer 1

Are definite articles always used when talking about sports?

Definite articles are normally used before sports (as well as before sciences, languages, and various other things).

But always? No. For example, we would say

Voy a mi clase de tenis.

not

Voy a mi clase del tenis.

If I knew a rule for when the definite article is not required, I would share it with you.

Why is it necessary?

Language rules develop how they develop. No one sits down and makes decisions and then publishes the rationale.

Answer 2

No! When ever a general noun (that is not a person or familiar pet) is the subject of "gustar - like" verbs, they always need the definite article in front.

For example:

Me gustan los perros

Me gusta el tenis

Me gusta la ayuda de Roberto

Me gusta la playa

Me gusta el baloncesto

You don't have to put indefinite articles before infinitive verbs:

Me gusta jugar al baloncesto.

Sports and games usually take on masculine indefinite articles, but it's really more of a remembering thing. El tenis El baloncesto El fútbol (americano) El ajedrez El béisbol El hockey

And there are exceptions La natación Las cartas