New Rules for Professional Sports: The Good, The Bad, and the Silly
Like many kids growing up, I loved sports. I loved watching sports, playing sports, and talking about sports, I loved everything about it. As a child, looking forward to my next Little League game, Pop Warner football game, basketball, or whatever, was the most exciting thing in my life. I’d even spring out of bed with excitement on a day we had a practice scheduled. Yes, I’m talking about practice.
As one of my coaches once said to our team, “One day the ball stops bouncing for all of us.” That was his way of saying that you can’t play (High School, College, or Professional) sports forever. Everyone hangs up their cleats, sneakers, or spikes one day. Enjoy the time you have while you have it. Playing is a privilege.
However, everyone can enjoy sports for their whole life. Watching sports on television or going to a game is exciting. Talking about sports with friends and family is fun, especially with the advent of fantasy leagues. Depending on how important the game is, I look forward to the next Phillies, Flyers, Sixers, or Eagles game similar to the way I anticipated my games as a kid.
Even though baseball, for example, is fun to watch, Major League Baseball is always looking for ways to make it a better viewing experience.
Major League Baseball and other professional leagues have changed and instituted many new rules throughout the years. Sometimes they’ll change to new rules and then change them back because it didn’t have a positive result.
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Many people are fond of the designated hitter rule in Major League Baseball, and many are not. It began in 1973 in the American League but wasn’t adopted by the National League until 2022. Even though it makes it more difficult for pitchers, I think it’s good for the fans and players. If it weren’t for the designator hitter many defensively challenged player’s professional careers wouldn’t exist or would end early because they don’t play defense well.
My dad and I debate the “ghost runner” rule quite a bit. It was adopted in 2020 and he says it cheapens the game, but I like it because it speeds up the game. I feel that as long as the rule is the same for both teams then it’s fair.
Another one of the new rules I like that was enacted in recent years is the “Pitch Clock.” Many fans love it because it speeds up the game, and I agree. The average game now lasts about two hours and forty minutes, it used to be over three hours. It doesn’t take anything away from the game other than wasted time.
One Major League rule that was discussed but never instituted is the “Golden at-Bat.” I truly can’t believe that it was even considered last year. The idea was that managers could send their best hitter to the plate for any at-bat one time during a game. It received so much negative reaction that it was scrapped almost immediately.
There will be more good and bad ideas for new rules forever years. One baseball idea being tossed around would require starting pitchers to pitch at least six innings, I’d go for that because it’s another time saver. One similar rule recently instituted is that relief pitchers must face at least three batters.
New Rules That May or May Not Work Well
NFL: Helmets optional, field goals over 70 yards are worth 11.3 points
MLB: If you steal a base, you have to apologize
NBA: Raise the rim from 10 feet to 20 feet, but if you dunk the ball your team automatically wins the game
NHL: Drill holes in the ice for fishing in between periods
Thoughts?