We all love sports for different reasons.

The biggest reason might be the pure drama and excitement they provide.

But what are the 10 most exciting elements in sports?

A subjective question, to be sure, but here is this man's top 10 in that category:

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No. 1: Overtime Stanley Cup playoff games. The game could end within 30 seconds or go on for another three hours, with either team winning at any time. A star player might score the game-winner or some nobody could turn the trick. Remember David Volek?The goal might be a thing of beauty or a freakish play, but for extended drama, nothing beats this.•

No. 2: College football overtime. Like the system or hate it, whether it's a fair or unfair way to decide a game, it's exciting to watch. Each team gets the ball at the opponent's 25-yard line with an urgency to get into the end zone. Taking away the conventional PATafter two overtimes only adds to the thrill.•

No. 3: Playoff at The Masters. Do you detect an overtime theme with these first three choices? Talk about drama. This is golf's most prestigious event and there is no 18-hole playoff. It's hole-by-hole ordeal, with every shot a critical one. You can slice the gallery's tension with a knife.•

No. 4: Playing for the last shot in a one-point basketball game. The coach draws up a play during a timeout and it might work like a charm. Or the defense might force a team to improvise as the seconds tick away. Win or lose at the buzzer, its great theater.•

No. 5: The ninth inning of a perfect game. Perfection is hard to come by in any endeavor and though major league baseball has been around more than 100 years, there aren't a whole lot of perfect games in the record books.When a pitcher has a chance at one in the ninth inning, whether he gets it or not, the atmosphere is heart-stopping.•

No. 6: Kentucky Derby: Are these the most exciting three minutes in sports?Well, it's always close, always meaningful, and, if you missed it, you can see the event in its entirety on the 11 p.m. news.•

No. 7: Punt return for a touchdown. Those plays are always electrifying and often turn a game around.•

No. 8: Penalty shots. Overtime shootouts in hockey have taken away from this a bit, but the one-on-one shooter vs. goalie, with the shooter moving in alone from center ice, is still a classic.•

No. 9 — NASCARcrash in traffic: You don't want to see anyone get hurt, but, let's face it, seeing drivers going 150 mph in traffic, dodging debris and out-of-control cars, is amazing and exhilarating at the same time.•

No. 10 — A triple. The play at third often is close and the baseball usually is rattling around the warning track at some point. Seeing the baserunner kick into high gear rounding second, as he decides to go for the extra base, is a pretty cool thing.•

Also considered:The Olympic 100 meters, a five-set Wimbledon final, a windmill slam dunk, 10th frame of a perfect game in bowling.John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle