# Resolved: Rules changes in all four major U.S. sports that completely fix their flaws **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb, basketball-nba, hockey-nhl, football-nfl\ **Created:** [October 14, 2023, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578 "2023-10-14T20:14:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2023, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/101 "2023-10-16T23:01:01Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > And that’s the problem with the baseball. It needs the equivalent of an onside kick in the 9th to keep things exciting. Was there a mention of multi-ball somewhere above? Okay, so the batter gets a hit, and runs for a base (first, second, third, whatever). If the fielding player can get to that base before the runner, they get to replace the runner, and if they are subsequently batted in, they get the score, or maybe the teams split a half-run. The runner can avoid this by choosing not to go for second or third, if they think the fielder will win the race. It also only applies to the batter, so a player already on base can advance, and the fielder has to decide between throwing them out at the next base, or trying to steal the runner’s spot. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/102 "2023-10-17T01:04:22Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > So, under this rule, if the first batter of the game walks on four pitches, he’s awarded second base? Surely you’ve seen a number of games in which the pitcher doesn’t have his ‘good stuff’ at the beginning of the game? Or a situation where the pitcher suddenly can’t locate the plate and throws nothing but balls to a batter or two? The thing about intentional walks is that the catcher stands up and steps to the side to catch the pitch. The rule could be written that the catcher has to be in his position when the pitcher releases and the ball must come inside a mid-point position in the opposite batter’s box, below the batter’s head level. Not sure how a useful penalty would be applied, though. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/103 "2023-10-17T01:09:26Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The thing about intentional walks is that the catcher stands up and steps to the side to catch the pitch. Not anymore. They just waive four fingers. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/104 "2023-10-17T01:15:16Z")
They should try that out for a couple of seasons and see how it works out. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/105 "2023-10-17T01:17:00Z")
No opinion about the other sports, but: **NHL:** Every regular season game that is tied after 60 minutes goes into overtime, just like in the playoffs. No more shootout bullshit, which is convenient for players and broadcasters but is a highly biased exercise. Regular season games either matter or they don’t, and if they matter, don’t decide them frivolously. If necessary for practical reasons, limit overtime to one full period in the regular season, and if no goal is scored, the game is a tie. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/106 "2023-10-17T01:24:30Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Soccer offsides. IMO too often an offside situation occurs due to the defensive players failures. Is there a way to address that? The NASL used a line analogous to the hockey blue line. * * * For the NHL, no issue with regular OT, no shootout-in the regular season, but I’d have them start the extra period 4 on 4, until the end or it ends in a tie. At the very least if the keep the shootout they should redo the points system so that OT games aren’t worth 3 overall, which IIRC had some consequences for a 9th place team trying to get in some seasons ago. For playoffs 1st 20 min. 5 on 5, then 4 on 4 until someone wins, maybe 3 on 3 for the 4th OT period and onwards. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/107 "2023-10-17T01:24:39Z")
I agree. They can do regular season without overtime at all and just let tie games be tied. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/108 "2023-10-17T01:24:55Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > The rule could be written that the catcher has to be in his position when the pitcher releases That was the rule until a couple of years ago, when, as @Procrustus noted, it’s now an automatic thing. If the catcher left the ‘box’ before the pitch was thrown, a balk was called. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/109 "2023-10-17T01:29:05Z")
I wouldn’t have a huge problem with that, but just for the sake of prolonging the game for entertainment while ensuring that the win criteria are fair, and creating a balanced compromise between competing interests on this issue, I’d opt for one full-period overtime in the regular season. This is closer to the way things used to be, though in the past regular-season overtime was (I think) 5 minutes of four-on-four before the game was declared a tie. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/110 "2023-10-17T01:31:21Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > [The NHL] can do regular season without overtime at all and just let tie games be tied. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/111 "2023-10-17T02:30:21Z")
I seem to recall that the reason, or a main reason, that they installed the shootout was that fans hate games that end in ties, and even more so if it ends in a tie after an overtime. They wanna see someone win for the price of admission. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/112 "2023-10-17T02:51:36Z")
If you’re going to introduce a shootout for that purpose, may as well determine the winner by flipping a coin. The outcome of a shootout has very little relationship to a team’s overall strengths and merit. I’m a fan, and I’m fine with tie games. I just think the original overtimes should have been the full 20 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/113 "2023-10-17T10:41:43Z")
Not a fan of shootouts, especially since my Flyers have been a bad shootout team. That said, _my Flyers have been a bad shootout team._ As much as I’d welcome getting rid of the shootout, it’s definitely not a coin flip, at least not in Philly. We’re just bad at it, and we pay the price. ---
**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:** [October 17, 2023, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/114 "2023-10-17T12:55:24Z")
MLB: Eliminate that tee ball ghost runner bullshit in extra innings. Limit pitchers on roster to 10, this will encourage pinch hitting and pinch running. Instead of an automatic strike on a batter if he isn’t ready in time, allow the pitcher to deliver whether the batter is ready or not. Eliminate the DH and interleague play. Go back to Sunday doubleheaders and end the season two weeks earlier to avoid postseason snow. Make the coaches wear the same uniform as the players. NFL: Move the hashmarks back to where they were in the good old days. Eliminate the two point conversion. Eliminate spiking the ball to kill the clock, make them go ahead and throw at the feet of an eligible receiver. Eliminate overtime except in postseason. NBA: Eliminate the 3 point shot. Cut the number of timeouts to two per half. NHL: Eliminate shootouts. Ties after overtime stay ties in regular season. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/115 "2023-10-17T13:15:36Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Make the coaches wear the same uniform as the players. That works in baseball, but hockey, basketball, football, soccer would all look ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/116 "2023-10-17T13:28:45Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Soccer offsides. IMO too often an offside situation occurs due to the defensive players failures. Is there a way to address that? That’s a feature, not a bug. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/117 "2023-10-17T13:33:18Z")
I understand that viewpoint, but it seems to penalize the offense for situations where the defense has screwed up. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/118 "2023-10-17T13:34:31Z")
I’m confused by what you mean. Usually a defensive player’s failure makes it so an offensive player is onside (when the defender blows an offside trap). What do you mean by a defender failure making an offensive player offside? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/119 "2023-10-17T13:38:15Z")
Offensive player is running toward the goal. Defensive player falls down as the ball is passed to the offensive player, putting him offside. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578/120 "2023-10-17T13:46:16Z")
That’s fairly rare, IMO (I can’t even recall the last time I saw that). I don’t necessarily think changing a rule for something that happens so infrequently would do any good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-rules-changes-in-all-four-major-u-s-sports-that-completely-fix-their-flaws/991578.md?page=7)