20 Absurd Rules in Sports That Should Be Changed

20. Baseball Ground-Rule Double

We saw it hurt the Mets in the NLCS (not that it ended up mattering) and we've seen it hurt other teams in the past. When there's a runner on base that would clearly score from first on a ground rule double, he should be awarded home. MLB has enough technology now that they could see where the runner was at the exact time the ball hopped over the wall and make a judgment call about whether or not he would've made it home. Umpires make judgment calls all the time; why not extend it to this?

20. Baseball Ground-Rule Double

We saw it hurt the Mets in the NLCS (not that it ended up mattering) and we've seen it hurt other teams in the past. When there's a runner on base that would clearly score from first on a ground rule double, he should be awarded home. MLB has enough technology now that they could see where the runner was at the exact time the ball hopped over the wall and make a judgment call about whether or not he would've made it home. Umpires make judgment calls all the time; why not extend it to this?

19. Most Rules Protecting Quarterbacks

In today's NFL, quarterbacks are treated as if they're made of glass and it's really taken away from the game. Obviously, they're one of the most valuable positions in all of sports, so some of the rules make sense, but it seems like if a defender even breaths on them the wrong way, it's going to be a penalty. Give defenders a little more leeway and make quarterbacks man up a little more like they used to.

19. Most Rules Protecting Quarterbacks

In today's NFL, quarterbacks are treated as if they're made of glass and it's really taken away from the game. Obviously, they're one of the most valuable positions in all of sports, so some of the rules make sense, but it seems like if a defender even breaths on them the wrong way, it's going to be a penalty. Give defenders a little more leeway and make quarterbacks man up a little more like they used to.

18. Soccer Shootout Rules

It's relatively easy to score in a soccer shootout because the ball is set so close to the net. Make it more interesting and have players run up and dribble the ball from mid-field, like how they do in the NHL. Then there's a set line they can't cross. This would make it more complicated for shooters and would make these shootouts way more interesting.

18. Soccer Shootout Rules

It's relatively easy to score in a soccer shootout because the ball is set so close to the net. Make it more interesting and have players run up and dribble the ball from mid-field, like how they do in the NHL. Then there's a set line they can't cross. This would make it more complicated for shooters and would make these shootouts way more interesting.

17. 3 on 3 Hockey Overtime

This is an extremely recent change to the NHL's overtime rules, which is aimed at getting more overtime goals to prevent shootouts from deciding regular-season games. Instead, the teams should just play 5-on-5 hockey for an additional 20-minute period and if nobody scores, then it goes to a shootout. This change wouldn't wear on the players enough to make a difference and the games would still take a maximum of three hours and 15 minutes. It really is the best way to decide who gets that extra point in games during the regular season.

17. 3 on 3 Hockey Overtime

This is an extremely recent change to the NHL's overtime rules, which is aimed at getting more overtime goals to prevent shootouts from deciding regular-season games. Instead, the teams should just play 5-on-5 hockey for an additional 20-minute period and if nobody scores, then it goes to a shootout. This change wouldn't wear on the players enough to make a difference and the games would still take a maximum of three hours and 15 minutes. It really is the best way to decide who gets that extra point in games during the regular season.

16. Targeting ejections

There's no doubt, targeting rules in essence, are a good thing. Defenseless receivers should not be turned into rag dolls over the middle of the field. However, the rule that a player is automatically ejected over the play is asinine. Unless there is malicious intent on the part of the defender, they should not be tossed. Most of the time, it's hard to lower your pad level while you're going to make a tackle and a targeting play just happens. Ejecting them isn't going to further cut down on targeting plays because most defenders simply can't help it. Flag the player, but in most cases, don't throw them out.

16. Targeting ejections

There's no doubt, targeting rules in essence, are a good thing. Defenseless receivers should not be turned into rag dolls over the middle of the field. However, the rule that a player is automatically ejected over the play is asinine. Unless there is malicious intent on the part of the defender, they should not be tossed. Most of the time, it's hard to lower your pad level while you're going to make a tackle and a targeting play just happens. Ejecting them isn't going to further cut down on targeting plays because most defenders simply can't help it. Flag the player, but in most cases, don't throw them out.

15. Offsides in Soccer

Okay, so offsides might make things a little more fair in soccer, but this sport would be so much more interesting without offsides. There's no offsides in basketball where players can cherry pick all day long. If the sport wants its popularity to grow (particularly in the U.S.) it would get rid of the rule altogether and encourage more scoring.

15. Offsides in Soccer

Okay, so offsides might make things a little more fair in soccer, but this sport would be so much more interesting without offsides. There's no offsides in basketball where players can cherry pick all day long. If the sport wants its popularity to grow (particularly in the U.S.) it would get rid of the rule altogether and encourage more scoring.

14. Down Without Contact in College Football

So the defense gives up a big play and the offensive player falls down or dives and the defense is rewarded for it? No, this makes no sense. In college football, a player is down as long as their knee hits the ground even if no opponent touches them. This need to be changed so the defense actually has to do something to force the ball carrier down.

14. Down Without Contact in College Football

So the defense gives up a big play and the offensive player falls down or dives and the defense is rewarded for it? No, this makes no sense. In college football, a player is down as long as their knee hits the ground even if no opponent touches them. This need to be changed so the defense actually has to do something to force the ball carrier down.

13. College Basketball's Shorter 3-Point Line

With more and more specialized 3-point shooters in college basketball, it's becoming more apparent that the 3-point line is a bit too easy. Really, there's no reason not to move it back to the NBA distance because the difference in jump shooting ability from college to the pros is negligible. Either force college players to become better shooters or place more of an emphasis on the frontcourt game.

13. College Basketball's Shorter 3-Point Line

With more and more specialized 3-point shooters in college basketball, it's becoming more apparent that the 3-point line is a bit too easy. Really, there's no reason not to move it back to the NBA distance because the difference in jump shooting ability from college to the pros is negligible. Either force college players to become better shooters or place more of an emphasis on the frontcourt game.

12. No Home-Plate Collisions in MLB Anymore

Pete Rose has to hate the current rule that prevents most home-plate collisions from happening in baseball anymore. Of course, the rule was made to protect catchers from gruesome injuries like Buster Posey sustained several years ago, but this still keeps one of the most exciting plays in sports out of the game. There's nothing that gets the blood flowing more than a good home-plate collision. MLB should bring them back because of this.

12. No Home-Plate Collisions in MLB Anymore

Pete Rose has to hate the current rule that prevents most home-plate collisions from happening in baseball anymore. Of course, the rule was made to protect catchers from gruesome injuries like Buster Posey sustained several years ago, but this still keeps one of the most exciting plays in sports out of the game. There's nothing that gets the blood flowing more than a good home-plate collision. MLB should bring them back because of this.

11. Stats From NCAA Football Overtime Counting

This is one of the biggest jokes in sports. When you only have 25 yards to go for a touchdown in college overtime, offensive players just pile up stats and it actually counts toward their season totals. These shouldn't count for season totals because they skew everyone's stats. Just have a separate stat category for overtime stats.

11. Stats From NCAA Football Overtime Counting

This is one of the biggest jokes in sports. When you only have 25 yards to go for a touchdown in college overtime, offensive players just pile up stats and it actually counts toward their season totals. These shouldn't count for season totals because they skew everyone's stats. Just have a separate stat category for overtime stats.

10. No NCAA Basketball Jump Ball

There is absolutely no reason college basketball shouldn't do a jump ball for changes in possession. Somehow, they still decide possession by an alternating possession arrow, which makes no sense. Add some drama to the end of close games by making changes of possession jump balls like they are in the NBA.

10. No NCAA Basketball Jump Ball

There is absolutely no reason college basketball shouldn't do a jump ball for changes in possession. Somehow, they still decide possession by an alternating possession arrow, which makes no sense. Add some drama to the end of close games by making changes of possession jump balls like they are in the NBA.

9. Scorecard Signing in Golf

A golfer could have the game of their life to win a tournament and forget to sign a scorecard and have it all taken away because they'd be disqualified. Sometimes the powers that be in sports need to just use common sense and realize whoever plays the best should win regardless of stupid rules. This rule has cost golfers in the past, but it shouldn't anymore because it should be taken out of the sport.

9. Scorecard Signing in Golf

A golfer could have the game of their life to win a tournament and forget to sign a scorecard and have it all taken away because they'd be disqualified. Sometimes the powers that be in sports need to just use common sense and realize whoever plays the best should win regardless of stupid rules. This rule has cost golfers in the past, but it shouldn't anymore because it should be taken out of the sport.

8. Boxing Scoring is Way Too Subjective

If there's a close boxing match, judges could easily fix the scoring because it's so subjective. There are not clear enough guidelines for how to score fighters, so they can basically arbitrarily score however they want. This has led to far too many controversies, so boxing needs to clarify scoring rules for judges to use during fights.

8. Boxing Scoring is Way Too Subjective

If there's a close boxing match, judges could easily fix the scoring because it's so subjective. There are not clear enough guidelines for how to score fighters, so they can basically arbitrarily score however they want. This has led to far too many controversies, so boxing needs to clarify scoring rules for judges to use during fights.

7. Unlimited Intentional Walks

Whenever a pitcher has a base open and is facing someone they clearly can't get out, they can just walk them without having to face them at all. In what other sport can you just bypass facing the other team's best player whenever you want? Teams should get one intentional walk per game so that they have to choose when to use it wisely. If they've used their one, then it forces more dramatic situations later in the game.

7. Unlimited Intentional Walks

Whenever a pitcher has a base open and is facing someone they clearly can't get out, they can just walk them without having to face them at all. In what other sport can you just bypass facing the other team's best player whenever you want? Teams should get one intentional walk per game so that they have to choose when to use it wisely. If they've used their one, then it forces more dramatic situations later in the game.

6. Technical For Calling Timeout Without Any Left

Like the golf signing rule, this rule makes no sense because it punishes someone for an innocent mistake. If a team or player isn't clearly trying to stall and deceive the referees by calling a timeout when they don't have any, it should not be a technical foul. It's too obscure a rule to possibly decide more games in the future.

6. Technical For Calling Timeout Without Any Left

Like the golf signing rule, this rule makes no sense because it punishes someone for an innocent mistake. If a team or player isn't clearly trying to stall and deceive the referees by calling a timeout when they don't have any, it should not be a technical foul. It's too obscure a rule to possibly decide more games in the future.

5. College Athletes Not Getting Paid

While college continue to rake in millions of dollars from student-athletes, the athletes get absolutely nothing for their efforts. Yes, they get a full ride to school, but they're also essentially working a full-time job while being full time students. When their likenesses are used on jerseys (even if it's just their number) and in other realms, they need to be paid accordingly.

5. College Athletes Not Getting Paid

While college continue to rake in millions of dollars from student-athletes, the athletes get absolutely nothing for their efforts. Yes, they get a full ride to school, but they're also essentially working a full-time job while being full time students. When their likenesses are used on jerseys (even if it's just their number) and in other realms, they need to be paid accordingly.

4. Only Needing One Foot Down in College Football

The difference in rules between college football and the NFL generally don't make much sense, but this rule might be the biggest head-scratcher of them all. Why should college players only need one foot in bounds when you need two down in the NFL? Sure, it encourages scoring, but it doesn't prepare the select few who will get to play on Sundays. That's a mistake that requires fixing.

4. Only Needing One Foot Down in College Football

The difference in rules between college football and the NFL generally don't make much sense, but this rule might be the biggest head-scratcher of them all. Why should college players only need one foot in bounds when you need two down in the NFL? Sure, it encourages scoring, but it doesn't prepare the select few who will get to play on Sundays. That's a mistake that requires fixing.

3. Turning a Blind Eye to NBA Traveling

This isn't even a rule, but rather a lack of abiding by a rule. In the NBA players can routinely take three or four steps without it being called traveling, so what's the point in even claiming a player gets a step and a half? NBA referees really need to be more strict about this rule and stop getting intimidated by the most powerful players in the league.

3. Turning a Blind Eye to NBA Traveling

This isn't even a rule, but rather a lack of abiding by a rule. In the NBA players can routinely take three or four steps without it being called traveling, so what's the point in even claiming a player gets a step and a half? NBA referees really need to be more strict about this rule and stop getting intimidated by the most powerful players in the league.

2. NFL "Completing the Process" Rule

Nobody seems to even know what this rule means anymore. How much exactly you have to control the ball on a catch is up for debate based on conflicting rulings over the last few years on very similar plays. One thing is for sure: the NFL needs to clarify exactly what a receiver needs to do in order for a catch to count. Otherwise, we will continue getting controversial and confusing rulings.

2. NFL "Completing the Process" Rule

Nobody seems to even know what this rule means anymore. How much exactly you have to control the ball on a catch is up for debate based on conflicting rulings over the last few years on very similar plays. One thing is for sure: the NFL needs to clarify exactly what a receiver needs to do in order for a catch to count. Otherwise, we will continue getting controversial and confusing rulings.

1. Designated Hitter in Baseball

Most people enjoy this rule, but it's just plain stupid. The DH has ruined some of the integrity of baseball in the way that it doesn't force managers in the American League to strategize at all. The only thing they have to decide is when to bring in bullpen pitchers. For the most part, they don't have to worry about pinch hitting and taking pitchers out because offense is needed. This is why the National League is the most pure nowadays. Of course, even the NL might get the DH within the next five years, which would be a shame.

1. Designated Hitter in Baseball

Most people enjoy this rule, but it's just plain stupid. The DH has ruined some of the integrity of baseball in the way that it doesn't force managers in the American League to strategize at all. The only thing they have to decide is when to bring in bullpen pitchers. For the most part, they don't have to worry about pinch hitting and taking pitchers out because offense is needed. This is why the National League is the most pure nowadays. Of course, even the NL might get the DH within the next five years, which would be a shame.