# Sports rules that are so systematically ignored by the officials they should be removed **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 12, 2019, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429 "2019-04-12T06:45:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [April 12, 2019, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/1 "2019-04-12T06:45:20Z")
OK this is not for butt-hurt Auburn fans to complain about one double dribble. I’m talking about rules that are in the rule books but are so non enforced, or non enforceable, maybe they should they just be written out of that sports rule book. As per another post on another thread, this one is #1 in my book from the official rules of baseball: 4.06 (3.09) No Fraternization . . . . . . . . . .Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize at any time while in uniform. The other is also from baseball and it’s the pitching clock. I believe the latest attempt is 20 seconds between each pitch in this seasons spring training. I’ve also been attending AAA baseball games for years with a 30 second pitch timer. Now maybe there are isolated instances but I have not yet ONCE seen or heard a pitcher penalized for violating a pitching clock. It just seems umpires are reluctant to enforce it so why not just get rid of it and come up with other ideas on how to speed up the game? What about other sports? What sports have either arcane rules or rules that referees don’t enforce and no one cares about or are unenforceable that frankly . . . .it would be better if we just edited that sport’s rule book? Am I wrong about the fraternization and pitch timer rule? Sell me! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk ---
**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:** [April 12, 2019, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/2 "2019-04-12T06:54:47Z")
This can also include rules that are so archaic they just don’t belong in the rule books anymore----I sure the Masters will inspire one or two! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/3 "2019-04-12T11:19:33Z")
The pitch timer is going to be enforced. I believe that the big wigs will make the umpires enforce it and sanction them if they fail to do the job. The NBAs traveling rule has got to get a mention. It appears that a guy can go from the 3 point line to a dunk without the ball bouncing once. Drop kicks. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/4 "2019-04-12T13:19:01Z")
Fraternization is a good one for baseball. Another one, perhaps a bit more controversial, is 5.05(b)(2)(B) which requires that a batter make an attempt to avoid a pitch for it to be considered a hit-by-pitch. I think I’ve only seen it called once or twice (out of thousands of games watched), and I’m not sure it’s a useful rule anymore. So just cut it, IMO. If we get a bunch of Fernando Vinas or other HBP experts sticking out elbows then maybe we can bring it back, but I tend to think that removing allowed body armor gives HBP experts there own consequences to worry about (especially when it seems like everybody throws 98 MPH now). ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/5 "2019-04-12T13:45:19Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Another one, perhaps a bit more controversial, is 5.05(b)(2)(B) which requires that a batter make an attempt to avoid a pitch for it to be considered a hit-by-pitch. I think I’ve only seen it called once or twice (out of thousands of games watched), and I’m not sure it’s a useful rule anymore. So just cut it, IMO. If we get a bunch of Fernando Vinas or other HBP experts sticking out elbows then maybe we can bring it back, but I tend to think that removing allowed body armor gives HBP experts there own consequences to worry about (especially when it seems like everybody throws 98 MPH now). Agreed, I get the impression that few batters would rather be hit by a pitch (and risk missing the rest of the game or more than a game with injury) than have a chance at better than a single. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/6 "2019-04-12T14:30:54Z")
In baseball you have umpires talking about “my strike zone” as being something distinct from the zone defined in the rule book. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/7 "2019-04-12T17:51:42Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > In baseball you have umpires talking about “my strike zone” as being something distinct from the zone defined in the rule book. That’s always been a headscratcher for me. I remember years ago, seeing a magazine article or maybe a TV show where they showed a generic catcher, and a graphic showing where the strike zones were for various umpires in the major leagues, and the reference one (width of home plate, batter’s knees to top of shoulders). It was amazing to me, as a non-baseball player, just how variable it was- one guy’s zone was more low and outside, some guys had wider, but shorter ones, and so on. I can’t think of any rules that are systematically ignored, but there are LOTS that are enforced only _in extremis_, or only when the referee happens to be looking. Holding in football is a good example- there are likely multiple holds each and every play, but unless someone happens to be right in the midst of the action, or does so particularly egregiously, they’re liable to get away with it. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/8 "2019-04-12T19:07:29Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > In baseball you have umpires talking about “my strike zone” as being something distinct from the zone defined in the rule book. Surely you are not suggesting the strike zone be removed from the rulebook? I’d think the solution is the opposite of the OP’s request for examples for rules so little called that they should be gotten rid of entirely. > [@bump](#): > > there are LOTS that are enforced only in extremis, or only when the referee happens to be looking. Virtually every penalty in hockey constituting a foul on another player is like that. For instance, rule 69.2 states that any player who initiates any contact at all with the opposing goalie shall be given a penalty. In practice, this is never called unless the contact is egregious or interferes in the goalie trying to make a save or play his position, but that’s not how the rule is written. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/9 "2019-04-12T19:10:51Z")
I’m not a sports guy. But it seems to me NFL refs don’t call intentional grounding anymore. Is that still a thing? ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/10 "2019-04-12T19:12:17Z")
the "no hitting with a closed fist "in pro wrestling they spend more time arguing about it amd ive had big name wrestlers tell me its damn hard not to even when your trying …. ---
**Author:** ![Pixel\_Dent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@Pixel\_Dent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixel_Dent)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/11 "2019-04-12T19:12:53Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > I’ve also been attending AAA baseball games for years with a 30 second pitch timer. Now maybe there are isolated instances but I have not yet ONCE seen or heard a pitcher penalized for violating a pitching clock. It just seems umpires are reluctant to enforce it so why not just get rid of it and come up with other ideas on how to speed up the game? I’ve also been attending many AAA games for years with the 30 second timer. When it first started I did see a few pitchers called for violating it. The last year or so I haven’t seen any, but that’s because I’ve never seen a pitcher come close to using the entire clock. They just pitch faster now. It could be, though, that it’s enforced more in the IL. Is your team in the PCL by any chance? ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/12 "2019-04-12T19:42:00Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I’m not a sports guy. But it seems to me NFL refs don’t call intentional grounding anymore. > > Is that still a thing? It is, but there are many exceptions to that rule. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/13 "2019-04-12T19:44:57Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Virtually every penalty in hockey constituting a foul on another player is like that. > > For instance, rule 69.2 states that any player who initiates any contact at all with the opposing goalie shall be given a penalty. In practice, this is never called unless the contact is egregious or interferes in the goalie trying to make a save or play his position, but that’s not how the rule is written. This was actually called in the Blues v Jets playoff game playoff game the other night, but you’re right I never see it called. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/14 "2019-04-12T19:56:36Z")
Dribbling violations in the NBA. I see numerous traveling, double dribbling, palming, etc. violations all the time, and they are rarely if ever called. In fact, in Virginia’s semi final victory over Auburn, they committed a blatant double dribble on their last possession that should have cost them the game but, instead, they went on to win the game and the national championship. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/15 "2019-04-12T19:59:09Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I’m not a sports guy. But it seems to me NFL refs don’t call intentional grounding anymore. > > Is that still a thing? They still do, but generally only when it’s really blatant. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/16 "2019-04-12T20:00:16Z")
Speaking of NFL rules, there have been countless times where players from one team stray out onto the sidelines while a play is still in progress, which technically counts as 12 (or more) men on the field. It’s almost never penalized. Also, some QBs spike the ball in a way that goes backwards or at least is level with the QB’s body, which by rule ought to be a lateral and not a spike. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/17 "2019-04-12T20:11:10Z")
I believe there are some really strange foot fault rules still out there in tennis. Serena got called for one in 2009. [I’m not sure I have the right video, but this wasn’t a normal foot fault, but a kind of odd/obscure rule that is often ignored.](https://youtu.be/hASGiTYuaw0?t=299) ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/18 "2019-04-12T20:12:00Z")
In tennis there is the grunting issue which is never called. But I don’t want the rule removed. And it’s gone beyond grunting now. More like shrieking or war-whoops used for intimidation. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/19 "2019-04-12T20:15:53Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I believe there are some really strange foot fault rules still out there in tennis. Serena got called for one in 2009. > > [I’m not sure I have the right video, but this wasn’t a normal foot fault, but a kind of odd/obscure rule that is often ignored.](https://youtu.be/hASGiTYuaw0?t=299) Not sure what you mean. The video showed her stepping on the line before hitting the ball and that’s a foot fault. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429/20 "2019-04-13T00:43:45Z")
Foul throws in football are rarely called in football at the top level, although you’ll see players doing them every weekend in the prem. There’s no real advantage, though, in making a foul throw over a correct throw - it’s not like it goes further, or you can do it quicker. But you will see foul throws penalised all the time in amateur football, or kid’s football. Guarantee I will see 1 or 2 called in my lad’s game tomorrow, for example. This seems right, as kids should be taught the correct rules of the game, but it’s sort of undermined by the most influential and visible pro football matches ignoring it. Clearly when the rules of the game were laid down, a formulation for the return of the ball to play was required. ie you can’t just pick it up and hurl it in one handed like a discus. So it’d not like some sillly extraneous rule like the ‘no fraternising in baseball’ example above, that you could legit just forget about - it’s fundamental. But it is systematically ignored by the officials. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-rules-that-are-so-systematically-ignored-by-the-officials-they-should-be-removed/832429.md?page=2)