If I Ruled the (Sports) World

Okay...time to start this thing off right.  I don't know if my first topic being sports will alientate you or draw you in...but either way-this is my blog and that is what I want to write about first!

So as you may (or may not) have already seen, I will be starting off this little adventure with a series of lists.  My 'Top 11's'.  So without any further ado...here is my first Top 11.

The Top 11 Sports Rules That I Would Change:
11. The Designated Hitter (baseball)
-I put this at 11 because everyone knows that this rule sucks so it almost goes without saying, but nonetheless, I couldn't pass up the chance to point it out.  It takes away half of the thinking and stategy of the game and artificially inflates stats.  Which brings me to the next one..

10. The 'Double Switch' (baseball)
I've been watching and/or playing baseball for about as long as I can remember.  I still don't know WHY this stupid rule is in the game!  Who is the genius that voted this mess in anyway?  'Uh-oh...our pitcher is not doing good-but his place is due up next inning.  Can I just please be allowed to work around that little flaw in our lineup?'

9. Excessive Celebrations (Pro and College Football)
So let me get this straight...I'm not allowed to be happy when I do well?  I'm not supposed to elate with my teammates that we scored?  Look, I too can do without the lengthy choreographed dance numbers...but for crying out loud-we just went ahead with .04 seconds left-I'M EXCITED!

8.  Limit on Substitutions (soccer)
I love to play soccer.  Played it much of my life.  But all too often it makes for an AWFUL spectator sport.  This speaks mostly to the higher, pro and world class levels.  These guys are dragging their asses across the pitch after not even half the game.  Can we maybe get some fresh legs in (and then out again) there?  And god forbid someone bumps one of these guys...

7.  The 'Instigator' Rule (hockey)
Okay...I get it.  They wanted to get rid of the 'gratuitous' fighting so they could be on TV more.  So if they deem that you 'started' a fight, you are out of the game.  That isn't working that well now is it?  You want to clean up some of the excessive violence-allow a little more 'player-served justice' to be levied and watch what happens.  There is no reason why at the ref's descretion he can hand out an additional larger penalty to someone who goes overboard.

6. Disqualification for signing an incorrect scorecard (golf)
So let me get this straight-there are officials at every hole, as well as in between.  There is a huge board that lists everyone's scores.  Each hole there is some dude holding up a sign that indicates the score of THAT particular player.  But it is up to the PLAYER to verify the accuracy of the scorecard that he is handed at the end?  Yeah, that makes plenty of sense.

5. Dual minors: one for (insert infraction here) and ALSO and unsportsmanlike for 'diving' (hockey)
Either he tripped the guy, or the guy embellished it.  Take your pick.  Don't 'cop out' just because you can't make up your mind.  It is either one or the other.  Can't be both.  Sorry.

4. 'Freezing' The Kicker (football)
Fine, so this one isn't really an actual 'rule'.  But it is just stupid.  The end of an NFL game takes forever as it is.  If you want to make him think about it, can you please not sit there waiting to try to time it for that last split second before the snap?  Please you obnoxious idiot?

3.  The Possession arrow (college basketball)
Wow-that is very equitable of you.  We get to take turns.  Is this college or kindergarten?  Seriously? So if my team needs the ball, I can just jump on a guy and wrap him up and if the arrow is pointing my way-we get the ball?  Okay...if you say so.

2.  Intentional walks (baseball)
Not unlike the double switch, another rule created to allow for people's deficiencies.  If you don't want to give him a pitch to hit...well then you just better be freaking careful not to hang one over the plate!

And finally, the number one rule/action that I would change is...

1. Spiking the ball to stop the clock (football)
So let me get this straight, any other time in the game it is deemed "intentional grounding"?  But if I want to stop the clock, I am allowed to just throw it into the ground?  What is the point of giving a team three time outs when they can just peg the ball into the turf and stop the clock?  Again-a rule created to make up for deficiences.  Whatever!

So there you have it...the top 11 things I would change in sports.  Don't worry ladies-they wont all be like this.  It just so happened that I was talking about this stuff today, so it is what I went with.

Once again-thanks for taking the time to stop by.  Until next time...