Sports Stats/Situations That Drive You Nuts (1 Viewer)

[Gally]

I watched some minor league games and the pitch clock really sped things up.

I wonder is it sped things up in relation to major league games. I would expect that minor league games are already faster because they don't include as much production as the major league versions.

For the college games I attended with a pitch clock it didn't seem to do anything with regards to overall game time. The flow seemed the same as before. I didn't really notice much difference.

 

[Gally]

In baseball, the "walk off". It was okay when it was a walk off home run. The team is down or tied, bottom of the ninth (or extras) , the batter hits one out. Sure, a walk off homer, a walk off win. I agree. But now, everything that ends a home game win is being called a walk off by lame announcers. Really?!? I've seen a "walk off" walk and a "walk off" hit by pitch. How about:

Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, none out. The batter hits a slow roller to third. The third baseman tags the bag, fires to the second baseman who tags second. He whirls to make the throw to first. The runner beats out the throw and the runner scores! The crowd goes wild. A walk off win!

Really? A "walk off" double play. Are you kidding me?

What else would you call it? Just a game winner? It is a walk off double play, wild pitch, balk, walk, whatever. The game ended on that play and everyone "walked" off the field.

Also, the third baseman would be shot for trying to get a triple play with the winning run on 3B. He is 100% going home with the ball. Plus if it was hit hard enough to even have a thought about turning three then they should easily get a 5-2-3 double play which ensures the game continues and gets two outs.

 

[arrow1]

Fair-catching a kickoff

Unless it is a poorly executed onsides attempt

Yes, Agreed

 

[Gally]

"Defensive Indifference" as a ruling on a "stolen base". All teams have a reason they don't attempt to throw a guy out otherwise they would try and get the guy out. I think this needs to go away and anybody stealing a base gets a stolen base. If they insist on keeping Defensive Indifference then it should be ruled that way on 1st and 3rd steals of second if the defense doesn't try and get the guy going to second. That is true "defensive indifference" The defense didn't care if that guy went to second because the runner on third mattered more. That is where it should be applied (if at all).

 

[ChiefD]

Fair-catching a kickoff

Unless it is a poorly executed onsides attempt

I hate the current onside kickoff attempts. You kick it toward the sidelines so basically you have ZERO chance if the kicker kicks it out of bounds.

I've long thought kick a screamer right at the guy in the middle of the field. No way he catches that thing and you have the whole field for the ball to bounce around.

 

[Gally]

I hate the current kickoff attempts. You kick it toward the sidelines so basically you have ZERO chance if the kicker kicks it out of bounds.

I've long thought kick a screamer right at the guy in the middle of the field. No way he catches that thing and you have the whole field for the ball to bounce around.

I completely agree. My idea is to pile all kicking team people in the middle of the field. This will cause the receiving team to do the same. Then you essentially have a wall like in soccer in front of the kicker. The kicker than blasts the ball right at the wall and hope for a carom that the kicking team can recover. Seems like that would increase your chances immensely.

Realistically since they have essentially neutered the kickoff for safety reasons, they should just eliminate the kickoff altogether. Receiving team just gets the ball at their own 25 and for onside kick attempts the kicking team gets one play from their own 30 to pick up 15 yards. Kind of like a 4th and 15 from their own 30. The result of the play is the "kick".

 

[ChiefD]

I hate the current kickoff attempts. You kick it toward the sidelines so basically you have ZERO chance if the kicker kicks it out of bounds.

I've long thought kick a screamer right at the guy in the middle of the field. No way he catches that thing and you have the whole field for the ball to bounce around.

I completely agree. My idea is the pile all kicking team people in the middle of the field. This will cause the receiving team to do the same. Then you essentially have a wall like in soccer in front of the kicker. The kicker than blasts the ball right at the wall and hope for a carom that the kicking team can recover. Seems like that would increase your chances immensely.

Realistically since they have essentially neutered the kickoff for safety reasons, they should just eliminate the kickoff altogether. Receiving team just gets the ball at their own 25 and for onside kick attempts the kicking team gets one play from their own 30 to pick up 15 yards. Kind of like a 4th and 15 from their own 30. The result of the play is the "kick".

Yep, exactly. Even if the receiving team has their good hands people up there that ball skipping off the turf in a low trajectory would create ball madness.

 

[arrow1]

Local news stations that show sports highlights using a sideline video camera. Herky-jerky footage that is zoomed too close.

 

[B Maverick]

Not really stats here, but the thread seems to have weaved through announcer and umpire issues as well.

For the soccer peeps: Announcer says "That was a great ball" on a pass easily cut out by a defender. No it wasn't a great ball, might have been a great thought, but not a great ball.

And I absolutely hate that "Framing" in baseball is a thing and actually affects the umpire. The strike zone is not where the catcher catches it. Its where it crosses the plate. Framing should have no bearing. The only call I will give the ump leeway on is on pitches low and away. Usually they set up inside and the catcher's position can make the bottom outside corner difficult.
Oh and announcers talking about the "high strike". No sir, just because they realized the strike zone is actually bigger then they call it doesn't make a strike in the top of the zone different then one in the bottom.

Human error and adjusting to it is fine. Only works if the ump/ref is consistent from game to game. The Angel Hernandez and Eric Greggs of the world make that impossible. Bring on the robot umps for the strike zone.

 

[Gally]

Oh and announcers talking about the "high strike". No sir, just because they realized the strike zone is actually bigger then they call it doesn't make a strike in the top of the zone different then one in the bottom.

I don't get your beef here. It is just a descriptive term. There are most definitely high strikes, low strikes, inside strikes and outside strikes.

 

[ChiefD]

I hate it when the catcher sets up so far inside OR outside. The umpire then lines up right behind him, so if the pitcher actually misses and the ball crosses the plate the ump almost always calls it a ball.

HEY CATCHERS - SET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PLATE YOU DUMMIES!!!

edit: similar to what B Maverick posted above but the ump positioning kills me.

 

[B Maverick]

Oh and announcers talking about the "high strike". No sir, just because they realized the strike zone is actually bigger then they call it doesn't make a strike in the top of the zone different then one in the bottom.

I don't get your beef here. It is just a descriptive term. There are most definitely high strikes, low strikes, inside strikes and outside strikes.

It wasn't used as a description though. Almost like they were exhausted with it being called when it was actually a strike. They never referred to a strike in any other way until the "high strike" became a thing. It started when MLB made an effort to get umps to call the full strike zone instead of the belt to knees zone they were calling.

 

[GreenNGold]

the rushing attempts stat……team x is 7-0 when they run the ball 30 times.

so, theoretically, if i hand off 30 times in a row to start the game, i will win? it has nothing to do with me winning these games by 20 points, so i run the ball to run the clock out?

Sadly, there are actual coaches getting paid millions of dollars who believe this (like Mike McCarthy) who will continue to run the ball late in the game while trailing thinking stats like these help them, and they actually think they are utilizing analytics while doing so.

 

[mr. furley]

when football coaches try to prove their toughness on the sidelines by not wearing jackets in winter.

buddy, nobody is impressed that you're wearing short sleeves in 20 degree weather. you just look like a clown.

 

[arrow1]

Sideline reporters asking head coaches questions as they head to the locker room at halftime.

 

[Angry Beavers]

Worse yet - teams that play not to lose instead of to win. Yes, you have a lead and the other team needs the ball back.. so let's run on 3rd and medium to give the ball back and give the other team a chance - when a 1st down clinches the game. Frankly, give the QB a run-pass option - if it is not there, don't force it, but why are we going to run when everyone knows that is what we are doing? You play to win the game!

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

Score the Ball

 

[grateful zed]

dont get me started on cheerleader coverage.

 

[Quint]

ball's at the 25 and there's a pass to the endzone. jump ball and the WR comes down with it. announcer: "Look at how he high-pointed that ball!"

yah, no. the "high-point" of that throw was around the 15 yard line and about 20' feet in the air. tell me more about that 240" vertical. dumbass.

 

[Anarchy99]

Fair-catching a kickoff

Unless it is a poorly executed onsides attempt

I hate the current onside kickoff attempts. You kick it toward the sidelines so basically you have ZERO chance if the kicker kicks it out of bounds.

I've long thought kick a screamer right at the guy in the middle of the field. No way he catches that thing and you have the whole field for the ball to bounce around.

If you are talking the NFL, there are rules now where they have to place players on the kickoff for the kickoff team. They have to have 5 guys on each side of the kicker (can’t overload one side), and a certain number allowed inside and outside the hash marks. They’ve made it really difficult to get creative to be able to pull off a successful onside kick.

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

downhill runner

 

[[scooter]]

"Defensive Indifference" as a ruling on a "stolen base". All teams have a reason they don't attempt to throw a guy out otherwise they would try and get the guy out. I think this needs to go away and anybody stealing a base gets a stolen base. If they insist on keeping Defensive Indifference then it should be ruled that way on 1st and 3rd steals of second if the defense doesn't try and get the guy going to second. That is true "defensive indifference" The defense didn't care if that guy went to second because the runner on third mattered more. That is where it should be applied (if at all).

Here's another one:

(with a runner on 3rd who scores on the play)

Batter hits routine popup to center = sacrifice fly

Batter skillfully hits ball to 2nd baseman who is playing deep = NOT a sacrifice

DUMB

 

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

my wr is on a pitch count today, so says cbs

 

[Grahamburn]

My wife hates it when the announcers talk about “penetration.”

 

[Leroy Hoard]

My wife hates it when the announcers talk about “penetration.”

She just doesn't want them to give you any more ideas.

 

[ChiefD]

My wife hates it when the announcers talk about “penetration.”

The next time the Kansas Jayhawks play tune in and watch the game. They have a player with the last name of Dic.k

The jokes are endless. Me and my two boys were cracking up a few weeks ago watching them play:

Such penetration there….

He has such a smooth stroke……

We need more Di.ck in the lineup……

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Late in the ATL/WAS game one of the announcers suggested that it was likely “two down territory” for Atlanta. Worse, the second announcer repeated it.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Can we change the thread title to "I don't like modern sports jargon?" (signed, middle-aged guys)

 

[Gally]

Here's another one:

(with a runner on 3rd who scores on the play)

Batter hits routine popup to center = sacrifice fly

Batter skillfully hits ball to 2nd baseman who is playing deep = NOT a sacrifice

DUMB

First there is just as much skill to purposely hitting a fly ball to purposely hitting it to 2B with the infield back which helps you argument. Diminishing the fly ball as "routine" when there are less than two outs and it scores the runner from third is doing your job.

What irks me more than not getting a "sac" for the run scoring ground ball is that you don't get a "sac" for a fly ball that moves a runner over. It's the same action as you are giving yourself up to advance a runner. You should get the sacrifice..........also pertains to a ground ball to the right side with a runner on 2B.

 

[Rustoleum]

What is the appropriate time- length or point differential of a “run”, as in “State is on a 67-50 run”.

Well, there‘s like 5 minutes left and the score is 72-59, so thanks for that cutting analysis, I guess.

 

[Gally]

What is the appropriate time- length or point differential of a “run”, as in “State is on a 67-50 run”.

Well, there‘s like 5 minutes left and the score is 72-59, so thanks for that cutting analysis, I guess.

It varies for different sports:

• Basketball: The "run" should be unanswered points in most cases. You can probably extend it to 10 pts vs 2 pts. So you can be on a 10-2 run or a 20-4 run, etc. but in general it should be an "XX-0" run
• Soccer: It is a description of a player. i.e. - "Pele is on a run" it has nothing to do with scoring.
• Baseball: Scoring. Anytime an offensive player touches all 3 bases and homeplate it is a "run"
• Football: Anytime there is no forward pass. The QB handed the ball to the RB for a "run".
• Hockey: There are no "runs"
• Motor Sports: Whenever the engine is on. The engine is "running"

 

[wlwiles]

Sideline reporters asking head coaches questions as they head to the locker room at halftime.

Absolutely hate this. Mics shoved in coaches faces going into the half, and coming out of the half. Mics in players faces the instant the game ends, more mics in the locker room before they can get their pads off, more mics at the coach's press conference. Press conferences after midweek practices. Dugout interviews with the head coach while his team is in the field during the 4th inning.

The reporters ask the same 10 questions, the coaches give the same coachspeak answers, the QBs give the same "love my guys, credit to the OL, they play so tough" answers. Enough is enough. Maybe we don't need to hear from these guys 14 times a week????

Then one day Richard Sherman calls Michael Crabtree a punk in the post-game interview and the world flips out about it.

 

[titusbramble]

Anyone referencing that a team is 46-1 in the last ten years when they have over 30 rushing attempts or similar statistics which are the result of being in a winning position, not the cause

Soccer teams who, when getting a corner at, say, 45:30 of the first half with one minute added time, who don't send the keeper up. They have no time to break, abuse it

 

[Gally]

Soccer teams who, when getting a corner at, say, 45:30 of the first half with one minute added time, who don't send the keeper up. They have no time to break, abuse it

How do you know for sure? The ending is always nebulous and all it takes is one jokester of a ref who sees the keeper out and lets the break happen and you're screwed

 

[titusbramble]

Soccer teams who, when getting a corner at, say, 45:30 of the first half with one minute added time, who don't send the keeper up. They have no time to break, abuse it

How do you know for sure? The ending is always nebulous and all it takes is one jokester of a ref who sees the keeper out and lets the break happen and your screwed

If he doesn't immediately blow for half time, you tactically foul and take a yellow, but in every spot I've seen this come up it's been half time immediately on the first defensive touch

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Anyone referencing that a team is 46-1 in the last ten years when they have over 30 rushing attempts or similar statistics which are the result of being in a winning position, not the cause

Yes, this is perfect. Sports writers often have no clue between correlation and causation.

On a similar note, "The Tarantulas are 0-6 at Field Mouse Field since 1997" when five of those six games were played under an entirely different set of coaches with entirely different rosters. Who cares?

 

[ChiefD]

Anyone referencing that a team is 46-1 in the last ten years when they have over 30 rushing attempts or similar statistics which are the result of being in a winning position, not the cause

Yes, this is perfect. Sports writers often have no clue between correlation and causation.

On a similar note, "The Tarantulas are 0-6 at Field Mouse Field since 1997" when five of those six games were played under an entirely different set of coaches with entirely different rosters. Who cares?

Or this one:

"The Royals have signed so-and-so hitter to a contract for next year. He's always hit well at Royals Stadium: lifetime .322 with 9 homers and 42 RBI."

Hey dummies: he's not going to be facing the Royals pitchers anymore!

 

[Leroy Hoard]

People who scout QBs by what other QBs from the history of his school have done in the NFL. Because we all know what a QB factory Wyoming is.