Baseball is experimenting with a new rule- putting a runner on second base at the beginning of an extra inning. The hope is to score more quickly and end the game.
I hate this experiment and hope it remains that- an experiment. Extra inning games build in tension. It's fun to see teams use their extra men. I loved watching the Phillies' 20 inning game several years ago when they had to use position players to pitch.
You dn't see that every day. Why make a change in the rules? Can't this new generation sit still long enough to watch a baseball game to it's conclusion?
Anyway, this got me to thinking of rule changes I would like to see in sports...
Football- Allow touchdown celebrations again. Sports are supposed to be fun and entertaining. I loved Terrill Owens and his TD antics. You never knew what hew as going to do, be it pull out a Sharpie and sign the football o use the football as a prop in celebration.
Make field goals count as different points, depending on where teams are on the field. For example, a field goal from 50 yards or beyond count as 4 points. kicks between the 30 and 50 yard line should be worth 3 points. Anything form 30 yards to the goal line would be worth 2 points. It would force teams to try for touchdowns even more. And a 55 yard field goal should be awarded worth that try. If you make it, 4 points is nice. If you don't the other team gets the ball in great field position.
Hockey- Do away with the shoot-out. It's boring and anti-climatic, especially after the exciting 3 -on-3 overtime period. If the game is tied after a 5-minute overtime, let it be a tie.And don't give losing teams any points. If you lose, in regulation time or overtime, you lose.
For a more radical approach, make the first period 5-on-5, the second period 4-on-4 and the third period 3-on-3. Right now, each period is the same.Such a concept would build the excitement in each game.
If the game goes into overtime, make it 2-on-2 play for 5 minutes.If the game is still tied after that, call it a tie, with each team getting 1 point.
Basketball- A player cannot foul out of a game. People pay money to see a game, and yet players may not play for a majority of the game because they are in foul trouble. Instead, once a player reaches 5 fouls, instead of leaving the game, if he fouls again, the opposing team automatically gets 3 foul shots.
Baseball- They moved in the right direction by making the All-Star game just an exhibition game again. It was pretty stupid to make the results of a meaningless game decide who gets home field advantage in the World Series.
Fans should not be allowed to vote in the All-Star game. That would stop teams and cities from stuffing the ballot box.Go back to the way it was before- allow the players to pick the starting team. The manager of each league fills out the roster.
Get rid of the 4-ball pitch intentional walk. It's a waste of time.Change the Earned Run Average rule. If a relief pitcher comes into the game and gives up a run, even if a runner is on base, that run should count against the reliever .A starting pitcher allows a walk, is taken out of the game,and the relief pitcher gives up a triple, yet it's the starting pitcher who pays the price?
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