Sports Rules You Would Like To See Changed (1 Viewer)

[MrJimiT]

nba goes to points system, 3 for game win, 1 point for each quarter.

I find this idea intriguing. Gives teams an extra reason to keep playing all four quarters. However, the deviant in me, wonders if this would give ground for more bookie "involvement" in some results of games? It would be much easier to "throw" a quarter by a bucket or two and yet still win the game (points). I guess this type of over-analyzation can be used in all sports.

shots beyond half court are 4 points.

I think THIS has a real shot (pun intended) of becoming an NBA rule. I wonder what would happen IF you awarded the shooting team of a successful half court shot 4 points...BUT....if the shot hits the backboard or the rim and does not go in AND the defending team rebounds the ball, they get 1 point for the missed attempt?

 

[RJS113]

NFL:

1. Get rid of the “Automatic first down”. It drives me crazy seeing a team get a first down on a 3rd and 27 because of a 5 yard illegal contact or hands to the face penalty. Just assess the yardage and replay the down. 
 

2. Holding penalties on running plays should be 5 yards, not 10. 

 

[SWC]

in major league baseball if you hit a homerun and a little kid under the age of 6 catches it in the outfield bleachers than you should still be out because i believe the children are the future take that to the bank brohans 

 

[ChiefD]

NFL:

1. Get rid of the “Automatic first down”. It drives me crazy seeing a team get a first down on a 3rd and 27 because of a 5 yard illegal contact or hands to the face penalty. Just assess the yardage and replay the down. 
 

2. Holding penalties on running plays should be 5 yards, not 10. 

Agree with #1 for sure.

I've waffled on #2 for years. It's such an offense killer, but having Mahomes has changed my tune a bit. Teams can get out of that first and 20 if they are just smart about it. Most coaches turtle up and call some stupid run play on first and 20 and end up with 2nd and 18 which is never good.

If it was only 5 yards those guys would hold worse than they do now. Would be way more flags I would think. 

 

[Angry Beavers]

Bring loud cheering to golf - why does it have to be quiet?  That has never made any sense to me. We get to yell while other teams shoot freethrows - so why be completely silent for a putt? 

 

[the moops]

Bring loud cheering to golf - why does it have to be quiet?  That has never made any sense to me. We get to yell while other teams shoot freethrows - so why be completely silent for a putt? 

Tennis too

 

[Gally]

I think THIS has a real shot (pun intended) of becoming an NBA rule. I wonder what would happen IF you awarded the shooting team of a successful half court shot 4 points...BUT....if the shot hits the backboard or the rim and does not go in AND the defending team rebounds the ball, they get 1 point for the missed attempt?

The bold is dumb.  No reason for that to be added and it shouldn't be a point.  

 

[Gally]

NFL:

I hate the "defenseless receiver" penalty.....if you don't want to get hit, don't PUT YOURSELF in a defenseless position.....nobody is forcing you too be in that position...you or your quarterback put you in that position....don't run that play,....make a better pass....run a different route....

In many of these cases there isn't really anything else the defender can do.  Their job is to prevent a reception and as long as they aren't targeting the head (which is a difficult interpretation anyway) they should be able to blow up the WR trying to catch the ball.  That is actually what they are supposed to do.  I hate this rule.  

 

[wlwiles]

NFL:  There has to be a way to speed up replay reviews.  I can see the replay 12 times from 4 different angles, hear what Aikman and Mike Periera both think about it, and still have 1-2 minutes of watching the ref stand in front of the monitor and then jog out to midfield and make the announcement.  Implement a booth replay official already who can quickly make the call and radio down to the ref at the ready and let's keep it moving.  

NBA:  No more getting the ball at mid-court after a TO after a made basket.  You get it under the basket.  

MLB:  Dropped third strike rule - you K'd, NO BASE FOR YOU.  Implement DH in both leagues.  I hate the infield fly rule also but there's no great way to fix that one...

 

[Gally]

MLB:  Dropped third strike rule - you K'd, NO BASE FOR YOU.  Implement DH in both leagues.  I hate the infield fly rule also but there's no great way to fix that one...

What's wrong with drop third strike and infield fly?  The defense has to make the put out for the out and if you don't catch the pitch you didn't make the put out.  

The infield fly is to protect the offense.   It needs to be there.  What is the problem with it (besides nobody really understanding it)?

 

[titusbramble]

A few in soccer:

- Injury time handled by designated timekeeper and not the referee

- Remove yellow cards for timewasting, simply start adding on additional time to compensate, with the proviso that the team that isn't wasting time has the option to add three seconds on for every second wasted

- Similar to the concussion subs rules we have at the moment, if a player is injured and all subs are used, you can make an additional sub on the condition that the player injured is then banned for the next three weeks

- With VAR offside decisions, widen the spot they mark the attacker/penultimate defender at to a six inch line rather than trying to be ultra precise. If the new fatter lines overlap, decision is too close to call and the on field decision stands

 

[2Squirrels1Nut]

Instant replay incinerated from the earth for all sports, but particularly football. 

Dallas Cowboys fan? 

 

[2Squirrels1Nut]

Robot Umps to call balls and strikes. More accurate calls plus no hissy fits from pitchers and batters delaying the already slow game even more. Home ump still calls hit batters, plays at the plate and hands out the balls.

Just call the gosh darn strike zone.   Every strike a ump misses and he loses a piece of protective equipment. 

 

[2Squirrels1Nut]

Baseball, a giant pachinko like device is installed in past the right field wall where you can get bonus runs or even an out! 

The pitcher can also attempt to tackle a runner after rounding 3B trying to score but the ball must be in play. 

 

[Socrates11]

Make the refs/officials accountable. Grade them. If they make too many bad calls start suspending them games.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

The infield fly is to protect the offense.   It needs to be there.  What is the problem with it (besides nobody really understanding it)?

Why is protecting the offense something we need? The problem with the infield fly rule is that it eliminates excitement and action from a game that suffers from a lack of excitement and action. Should he catch it? Drop it? How far should the runners go? Get rid of this rule and the high infield fly with multiple runners on instantly becomes the most exciting play in the game.

 

[Van Dyman]

NFL - remove the intentional grounding rule, it's just an incomplete pass and loss of down. Why does a QB get to spike the ball to stop the clock but throwing down the ball to avoid a sack is penalized? It's so contrived and arbitrary.

I'm with you on the inconsistency, but would change it the other direction. Spiking the ball is intentional grounding and should be penalized. Yes, it stops the clock but there's a yardage price in addition to the loss of down.

 

[Gally]

Why is protecting the offense something we need? The problem with the infield fly rule is that it eliminates excitement and action from a game that suffers from a lack of excitement and action. Should he catch it? Drop it? How far should the runners go? Get rid of this rule and the high infield fly with multiple runners on instantly becomes the most exciting play in the game.

Why is catching a fly ball for an out something we need?  Just think of the excitement that would ensue if it was live and you had to tag out runners only.  

Most people want more offense so penalizing the offense by not having this protection will lead to less runs (which most people seem to want more runs).   Most people (apparently even Major Leaguers at times) don't really know this rule so if the defense lets the ball drop usually excitement ensues anyway.  Although the offense may not "need" protection many of the rules of baseball are based on not deceiving the other team (balk, purposely getting in the way of a ground ball, etc).  It's a gentlemen's game. 

 

[belljr]

Why is protecting the offense something we need? The problem with the infield fly rule is that it eliminates excitement and action from a game that suffers from a lack of excitement and action. Should he catch it? Drop it? How far should the runners go? Get rid of this rule and the high infield fly with multiple runners on instantly becomes the most exciting play in the game.

Lol..I'd say it would be a double play 95% of the time

 

[wlwiles]

Lol..I'd say it would be a double play 95% of the time

Re: Infield Fly Rule

It's an assumed out, that doesn't require an actual catch.  What if it's a mile high right into the sun? What if it falls between two fielders who both give way to the other?  Or how far behind the infield dirt must it fly to be considered "out of range" of the rule?  The 2021 NL Wild Card game was marred by a short fly to left that dropped in, bc it was ruled infield fly.  Just one example of a bad call, I know, but it's not the only shallow outfield fly that's been called for the rule over the years.  

 

[Gally]

Re: Infield Fly Rule

It's an assumed out, that doesn't require an actual catch.  What if it's a mile high right into the sun? What if it falls between two fielders who both give way to the other?  Or how far behind the infield dirt must it fly to be considered "out of range" of the rule?  The 2021 NL Wild Card game was marred by a short fly to left that dropped in, bc it was ruled infield fly.  Just one example of a bad call, I know, but it's not the only shallow outfield fly that's been called for the rule over the years.  

It's actually quite simple in definition.  The interpretation is more difficult. 

Any fly ball that can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort is eligible for the IFF rule implementation as long as there are less than two outs and runners on at least 1st and 2nd base.  

ETA:  The ball must also be fair

 

[Gally]

Re: Infield Fly Rule

It's an assumed out, that doesn't require an actual catch.  What if it's a mile high right into the sun? What if it falls between two fielders who both give way to the other?  Or how far behind the infield dirt must it fly to be considered "out of range" of the rule?  The 2021 NL Wild Card game was marred by a short fly to left that dropped in, bc it was ruled infield fly.  Just one example of a bad call, I know, but it's not the only shallow outfield fly that's been called for the rule over the years.  

It is a judgement call just like many other rulings in sports so officials will get it "wrong" sometimes based on someone else's judgement or hindsight evaluations.   

Again, the purpose of the rule is to protect the offense so usually it is called on the side of the play that should help the offense........by that I mean part of the judgement by the umpire should factor in what protects/benefits the offense most.  

Also, a little known fact......a bunt can never be called for an infield fly rule.  

 

[Jayrok]

Football:  When a player is running to get off the field and the offense snaps it a millisecond before he's off it's a 5 yard penalty, free play, etc.  12 men on the field.  Shouldn't be a penalty as it doesn't seem to fit the spirit of the rule.  If 12 guys are in the play, of course, foul.  If one is trying to get off the field they should let it go unless his presence would interfere with the play/players.  As it is now, QBs try to exploit this rule to gain an advantage.  Seems dumb. 

Women's basketball:  I understand that the ball is slightly smaller than regulation men's due to smaller hands, etc.  Seems the rim should also be slightly smaller in diameter to accommodate the difference.   

 

[belljr]

Re: Infield Fly Rule

It's an assumed out, that doesn't require an actual catch.  What if it's a mile high right into the sun? What if it falls between two fielders who both give way to the other?  Or how far behind the infield dirt must it fly to be considered "out of range" of the rule?  The 2021 NL Wild Card game was marred by a short fly to left that dropped in, bc it was ruled infield fly.  Just one example of a bad call, I know, but it's not the only shallow outfield fly that's been called for the rule over the years.  

Ok. And how many routine popups in that time have there been. A pro will be able to "drop" the ball and turn 2 easily on said play. 

 

[belljr]

I wouldn't eliminate it.  Here is how I would change it.

IF batter is out if fair and caught. If the ball is dropped. Dead ball, everyone is awarded one base and batter is safe.  Or the batter is still out and everyone advances 1 base if dropped

 

[Keerock]

I wanted to see the Lions win one this season, because they’ve had the absolute worst luck, but I’ll agree, that game was all around terrible.

You haven't been watching the Lions long enough if you think it's bad luck.  SOL

 

[wlwiles]

Ok. And how many routine popups in that time have there been. A pro will be able to "drop" the ball and turn 2 easily on said play. 

Like I said in the beginning, I hate the rule but I fully acknowledge there's not really a better alternative.  I get why it's there but it feels dirty to me that there's a situation where the batter can hit a ball and if it goes in a certain place or flight path it's an automatic out without the fielders actually having to make a play on it.  A different rule that said "no purposeful drops of popups" would then be too open to interpretation when a fielder faked the drop or intentionally closed a glove early, etc. etc. 

Just a rule I don't like personally. 

I wouldn't eliminate it.  Here is how I would change it.

IF batter is out if fair and caught. If the ball is dropped. Dead ball, everyone is awarded one base and batter is safe.  Or the batter is still out and everyone advances 1 base if dropped

I could get on board with this.  Fielders forced to actually make a play on the ball.  

 

[Keerock]

For challenges/reviews in any sport:

I like them because ultimately, the right call should be made.  I would change them to be 100% challenged by the officials in the booth and the officials reviewing the play should not know what the original call was (this would require an off-site crew or onsite but watching tik-tok, not the game).  Also... there should be a time limit... if a determination can not be made within, say 2 minutes, the original call stands.

 

[belljr]

Like I said in the beginning, I hate the rule but I fully acknowledge there's not really a better alternative.  I get why it's there but it feels dirty to me that there's a situation where the batter can hit a ball and if it goes in a certain place or flight path it's an automatic out without the fielders actually having to make a play on it.  A different rule that said "no purposeful drops of popups" would then be too open to interpretation when a fielder faked the drop or intentionally closed a glove early, etc. etc. 

Just a rule I don't like personally. 

I could get on board with this.  Fielders forced to actually make a play on the ball.  

I mean runners can still advance on an IF at their own risk, so you do have to make some type of play, sort of

 

[Kal El]

You haven't been watching the Lions long enough if you think it's bad luck.  SOL

You haven’t been paying attention to them at all if you’re trotting out the SOL acronym.

 

[Keerock]

You haven’t been paying attention to them at all if you’re trotting out the SOL acronym.

They are my weekly comic relief. 

 

[Chris B.]

I'm with you on the inconsistency, but would change it the other direction. Spiking the ball is intentional grounding and should be penalized. Yes, it stops the clock but there's a yardage price in addition to the loss of down.

I'm OK with this just to make it consistent. At least make the QB fake an incomplete pass instead of spiking. 

 

[Gally]

Like I said in the beginning, I hate the rule but I fully acknowledge there's not really a better alternative.  I get why it's there but it feels dirty to me that there's a situation where the batter can hit a ball and if it goes in a certain place or flight path it's an automatic out without the fielders actually having to make a play on it.  A different rule that said "no purposeful drops of popups" would then be too open to interpretation when a fielder faked the drop or intentionally closed a glove early, etc. etc. 

Just a rule I don't like personally. 

I could get on board with this.  Fielders forced to actually make a play on the ball.  

There is a rule for that:

Rule 5.09 (a) (12): The batter is out, the ball is dead, and runner (s) return to their original base (s) when an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive with runners on first, first and second, first and third, or bases loaded (with less than two out).

This is only enforced if the ball hits the fielders glove first and is deemed to be dropped intentionally.  Fielders can get around that by not touching the ball while in the air and letting it hit the ground first if they want to try and turn it into a double play (usually with soft liner type plays when a fielder knows they can control the ball once it hits the ground).  

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Football:  When a player is running to get off the field and the offense snaps it a millisecond before he's off it's a 5 yard penalty, free play, etc.  12 men on the field.  Shouldn't be a penalty as it doesn't seem to fit the spirit of the rule.  If 12 guys are in the play, of course, foul.  If one is trying to get off the field they should let it go unless his presence would interfere with the play/players.  As it is now, QBs try to exploit this rule to gain an advantage.  Seems dumb.  

I think hockey has it your way in terms of line changes. As long as the player is not involved in the play you can have extra players trying to leave the action.

 

[Gally]

I think hockey has it your way in terms of line changes. As long as the player is not involved in the play you can have extra players trying to leave the action.

The exiting player must be within 5 feet (I think that is the distance) of the bench before the oncoming player can enter the ice surface.  But yes there is a transition allowed to occur when the play is ongoing.