Sports Theory

Can sports be evaluated at any given moment (as in Saussure's synchronic analysis) or does it have to be evaluated as a totality (semi-diachronic) or within the history of the sport, or all sports (mega-diachronic)?

It seems that part of the game's meaning is that any given moment, some sports allow the spectator a direct idea of the possible outcomes (field goal: good or missed) while other moments have graduated ideas of outcomes (ball on the 50, second down, short passing play likely, running play likely, long pass less likely, going for the end zone very unlikely). However, many moments are completely up for grabs (the kickoff and return, or the game of soccer although it's player's positioning can determine the likeliness of outcomes).