# Professional sports pet peeves **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 13, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734 "2020-05-13T18:19:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/21 "2020-05-14T23:39:36Z")
MLB Making asinine rule changes (instant walks, 3 batter minimum) that shave seconds off a game while keeping the insane long intervals between innings. Managers that have to wear fucking pajama tops in the dugout. Dress like the players like you used to. Lack of strategy in the modern game. It’s all get on and hope for a homer. No more hit and run or squeeze plays. It’s not exit velocity, it’s exit speed. Unless you show the whole vector. All the fucking uniforms. Have one white home uni, one gray away uni, and be done with it. Super duper patriotic 7th inning stretches plus patriotic holiday uniforms. NFL Bizarre rules about what is a catch Moving the XP back. Keep it where it was. Two point conversions. Dump them. Making it even harder to execute the onside kick. Kickoffs coming out to the 25, not 20. Patriotic bullshit. NHL Too many teams. Teams in the south. Two teams in fucking LA. Shootouts. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/22 "2020-05-14T23:49:17Z")
Not anything to do with the sports themselves, but I’ll say stadium naming rights. Here’s the way it should be: a city decides to build a stadium or arena, picks a name that has some relevance to the city, and that’s the name until the building is torn down. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/23 "2020-05-15T00:46:52Z")
BobLibDem nailed it, except for \*Making it even harder to execute the onside kick. \* Shoeless, I’m with you on the stadium names. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/24 "2020-05-15T01:33:56Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Not anything to do with the sports themselves, but I’ll say stadium naming rights. Here’s the way it should be: a city decides to build a stadium or arena, picks a name that has some relevance to the city, and that’s the name until the building is torn down. In most cases, I’d say that the city shouldn’t be building the stadium anyway. There’s no reason for the public to take on such a burden for the benefit of a profit-making endeavour. But, yeah, there shouldn’t be re-naming, especially for money. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/25 "2020-05-15T02:13:15Z")
NFL: why, for the love of god, can’t coaches stop players from committing “illegal block in the back” violation during at least 75% of kick returns? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/26 "2020-05-15T05:42:12Z")
> [@LoneRhino](#): > > The flag waving and military worship is nauseating. The funny thing is that the NFL wants to attract an international audience. There are a lot of NFL fans in Canada, but our broadcasts for most regular-season NFL games don’t include the color guard, the national anthem, the giant US flag, or the military flypast. Instead, we get commercials, promos for upcoming shows, and similar. If the NFL is trying to attract an international audience, then it seems to me that this is a good way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/27 "2020-05-15T06:33:16Z")
Do you know the funny thing about NASCAR? they’ve never been full stock cars … even in the “bring what ya drive-in” beginning because they were mostly if not all souped-up bootlegger/moonshiner cars They didn’t even have uniform standards for them until the mid-60s early 70s when Richard Childress brought in real engineers to build his cars and started to wipe the floor with the backyard mechanics … then it was decided to standardize the cars so everyone had a fair shot … ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/28 "2020-05-15T06:51:14Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > But if there is holding, it has to be penalized. Oftentimes the big run or kick return happens in the first place \*\*because \*\*there was a hold that enabled it. > > Otherwise, this is giving the green-light to more and more unfair holding by the offense or kick return team. I 100% agree with you. But it still annoys the shit out of me maybe because there’s nothing that can be done about it. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/29 "2020-05-15T07:49:13Z")
Test Cricket. When you know the weather forecast is poor for the morning or afternoon then be prepared to play much longer or start much earlier. Use floodlights as required. Sure, people may have some difficulty in getting there if things start earlier or run later and they may miss _some_ of the game but if they only attend when play is impossible, what’s the difference? Also, if these conditions are in place when you buy your ticket you’ll be buying with that full knowledge in mind and can plan accordingly. Try and get the full number of overs in for each day, none of this “bad light” bollocks. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/30 "2020-05-15T08:24:12Z")
Build retractable roof stadiums for any sports that can be affected by the weather. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/31 "2020-05-15T11:46:32Z")
long ago NASCAR had a rule that the car in the race had to be on sale in local dealerships. I don’t think that was really enforced anyway. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/32 "2020-05-15T12:03:01Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Build retractable roof stadiums for any sports that can be affected by the weather. Never. That would turn me off from outdoor sports forever. ---
**Author:** ![BeagleJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@BeagleJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeagleJesus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/33 "2020-05-15T12:37:19Z")
I am sick and fucking tired of hearing corny ass fans crying about the way an athlete behaves after they make a good play. And these critiques seem to be disproportionally focused on the way black people behave during moments of celebration. It’s like everyone is trying to force their cultural expectations on the players instead of just letting people enjoy themselves and their accomplishments. Just because that’s not how _you_ would behave in that moment does not make the celebratory actions of others wrong. When you get your slow, non-athletic ass out there and have a good moment then _you_ can behave however you choose. In the meantime, shut the fuck up with all of the “excessive celebration” and “act like you’ve been there before” bullshit. Those guys just had a good moment in their lives and I don’t understand why you must begrudge them a small moment of celebration. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/34 "2020-05-15T13:46:45Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > long ago NASCAR had a rule that the car in the race had to be on sale in local dealerships. I don’t think that was really enforced anyway. > **[NASCAR Cup Series](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASCAR_Cup_Series)** > > The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division. In 1971, when the series began leasing its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, it was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (1971–2003). A similar deal was made with Nextel in 2003, and it became the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (2004–2007). S > [@](#): > > NASCAR once enforced a homologation rule that at various times stated that at least 500 cars had to be produced, or as many as one car for every make’s dealership in the nation had to be sold to the general public to allow it to be raced. Eventually, cars were made expressly for NASCAR competition, including the Ford Torino Talladega, which had a rounded nose, and the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Superbird which had a rear wing raised above roof level and a shark shaped nose-cap which enabled race speeds of exactly 200 mph. The Ford-based Mercury Spoiler powered by a Ford Boss 429 engine was timed at 199.6 mph. Beginning in 1971, NASCAR rewrote the rules to effectively force the Ford and Chrysler specialty cars out of competition by limiting them to 305ci (5.0L). The cars affected by this rule include the Ford Talladega, Mercury Spoiler II, Dodge Charger 500, Dodge Charger Daytona and the Plymouth Superbird. This rule was so effective in limiting performance that only one car that season ever attempted to run in this configuration. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/35 "2020-05-15T15:28:08Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > And also, the pitcher should be allowed to go ahead and pitch if the batter decides to make himself unprepared to bat. I don’t think there’s a rule that he can’t. If the batter is in the batter’s box, tapping the plate, taking practice swings, then send a heater across the plate. That’ll get his attention. But I’m sure it’s one of those _unwritten rules_ again. Like retaliatory hitting the star player – when they should be beaning the pitcher! He’s the one that struck your guy. Why hit the firt baseman? Stupid unwritten rules. > [@Procrustus](#): > > That reminds me. NFL: The celebrating after touchdowns, interceptions, first downs, and sacks (and probably a few other things I’m forgetting) Jesus, guys, well done, but let’s just go on to the next play, okay? The organized celebrations are the stupid ones. Let’s all pretend to pose for a selfie! Let’s all flop around like fish! Woop! And the NFL doesn’t just allow it, they encourage it. > [@HeyHomie](#): > > I assure you that the Ford Whatever you’re driving bears as much relationship to the “Ford Whatever” that Dick Trickle is driving as my neighbor’s Cessna does to an F-16. If Dick Trickle is driving anything that would be world news, as he’s been dead for quite some time. Might as well have said Cole trickle. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/36 "2020-05-15T15:37:07Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I don’t think there’s a rule that he can’t. If the batter is in the batter’s box, tapping the plate, taking practice swings, then send a heater across the plate. That’ll get his attention. > > But I’m sure it’s one of those _unwritten rules_ again. It’s an issue of enforcement. The rules don’t clearly state what constitutes a legitimate reason to ask for time, and so it’s up to the umpires, who of course must be consistent with each other and with precedent, to determine when it is or is not appropriate to let a batter call time. Once in awhile you will see a batter step out and have a strike called on him. I do agree though that MLB should formally announce a tightening of standards. To be honest, I think the rulebook should be substantially overhauled again (it was reorganized just a few years ago to flow better.) > [@](#): > > The organized celebrations are the stupid ones. Let’s all pretend to pose for a selfie! Let’s all flop around like fish! Woop! And the NFL doesn’t just allow it, they encourage it. It should certainly be allowed. The game is not improved in any way by prohibiting such things. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/37 "2020-05-15T16:09:58Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > NASCAR - its continued insistence that they’re racing “stock” cars. I assure you that the Ford Whatever you’re driving bears as much relationship to the “Ford Whatever” that Dick Trickle is driving as my neighbor’s Cessna does to an F-16. Just to note that Dick Trickle (yes, I know, it was an awesome name) doesn’t drive anything anymore. He ended his NASCAR career in 2002, and he died in 2013. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/38 "2020-05-15T16:18:15Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Never. That would turn me off from outdoor sports forever. Having been to baseball games in the old King Dome and the “new” Mariner retractable roof stadium, I can enthusiastically support the new trend. Most days we’re outside in the sun, and when it rains, the game isn’t postponed and we still feel the breeze and smell the grass. If done right (I can’t speak for the enclosed air conditioned ones) it doesn’t lose any of the “outdoor” feel. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/39 "2020-05-15T16:42:43Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > NFL: why, for the love of god, can’t coaches stop players from committing “illegal block in the back” violation during at least 75% of kick returns? Remember that it’s only illegal when caught. If you have a chance to block a defender from possibly having a chance of stopping your runner you are probably going to take the chance you wont get caught. Sometimes it works and sometimes not. I suspect coaches know this and let the player assess the penalty risk and don’t punish them too hard when caught. Sort of like a lineman taking an obvious penalty in order to protect his quarterback from a blindside hit. The possible penalty is better than the risk of not acting at all. I agree the MLS flopping is probably the top laughable issue in professional sports that makes it hard for me to take those games seriously, along with the 0-0 ties. 2nd place goes to the NFL “patriotism” and fellating of the military. If they want to waive flags and lavish attention on heroes going forward how about giving it up for our doctors and nurses? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734/40 "2020-05-15T16:54:51Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > 2nd place goes to the NFL “patriotism” and fellating of the military. If they want to waive flags and lavish attention on heroes going forward how about giving it up for our doctors and nurses? It’s because the Department of Defense pays NFL teams (and other sports teams) to do so, as a recruitment tool; they’ve done so for decades, but this effort appears to have increased after 9/11. Sources: > **[For decades, the NFL wrapped itself in the flag. Now, that’s made business...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/for-decades-the-nfl-wrapped-itself-in-the-flag-now-thats-made-business-uneasy/2018/09/06/bc9aab64-b05d-11e8-9a6a-565d92a3585d_story.html)** > > With politics now impossible to separate from patriotism, what was once a mutually beneficial relationship has become awkward. > **[Pentagon Paid Sports Teams Millions For 'Paid Patriotism' Events](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/05/454834662/pentagon-paid-sports-teams-millions-for-paid-patriotism-events)** > > A joint report by Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake found that many of those military displays you see before professional games are essentially advertisements paid for by the military. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professional-sports-pet-peeves/853734.md?page=3)