Well, as long as you are using 1/80 -1/200 shutter speeds, you shouldn't have a problem with hand-holdablilty. As soon as you drop beneath a 1:1 MM to shutter speed, you start getting problems with blur (ie 100mm use 1/100 shutter speed).


In the end, if you honestly NEVER think you'll use this lens for anything but sports, maybe you don't need to be worried about IS, and you can spend the extra $$ somewhere else.


I will say this, though....one day you'll put the lens on and wish you had it, no question!