(on most Thursdays at OOB, I rant in list fashion. Last week it was Things You Could Hear, If You Listened Hard Enough, As Nick Lidstrom Crumpled To The Ice In Denver On Monday)
Things In Sports I'll Never Understand
1. The two-minute warning. Really, why do we need to stop the clock in pro football with two minutes remaining in either half? It's particularly grating when the game is a blowout. I say if not eliminate it entirely, then make it obsolete if the score differential is more than 16 points. I know -- it'll never happen, mainly because it would eliminate precious advertising time on the tube.
2. Guys proposing marriage at the stadium. Why do men feel that something as private and tender as a marriage proposal should be done in full view of millions -- or at the very least, tens of thousands? Do ladies feel that it's romantic to be strong-armed into an engagement?
3. The NHL shootout. Tell me, ever since the league introduced the shootout after the lockout, is a penalty shot -- once one of the most exciting plays in sports -- as thrilling as it once was? Gotta give that a big, fat NO.
4. "Icing" the field goal kicker. Many placekickers say they actually enjoy the extra time they get, when the opponents call timeout before a big kick. Gives them a chance to gather their thoughts, talk to their holder and snapper, and basically kick under as controlled a situation as possible, rather than in hurry-up mode.
5. The possession arrow in college and high school basketball. This rule stemmed largely from the referees' inability to toss the ball fairly in a jump ball situation. This is one of the most moronic rules in all of sports. What if hockey decided to do such a thing? Forget face-offs; we're just going to alternate who gets the puck after every stoppage. Ridiculous!
6. Wearing jerseys with pro athletes' names on them. Nothing makes me cringe more than seeing a 300-pound, beer-guzzling doofus at the game wearing a "LIDSTROM" jersey that is stretched to its limit. It'd be like your Aunt Millie wearing a bathing suit with "ALBA" stitched on it. Blecch! And to prove that I practice what I preach, I own two hockey jerseys -- Penguins and Red Wings, and they have "ENO" on the back. Why? Well, that IS my name. (Exception: it CAN BE cute when women do it at the game; it's that whole wearing-mens-clothing-thing that I find endearing).
7. The media's mock NCAA basketball tourney selection earlier this month. They gathered a bunch of writers together recently and had them put together some mock brackets. My goodness, who CARES? It's about as useful as soliciting sixth-graders to vote for president in a "mock" election.
8. The Pro Bowl. Enough said.
9. Starting the MLB season in March -- and in northern cities, like Detroit. Can you say "makeup dates"?
10. Why it's so hard to win on the road in the Big Ten in basketball. Cripes, the percentages are more skewed than the NBA's. You don't think it has anything to do with officiating, do you? Hmmm.
That's all for this week. Care to share?
2 comments:
You're wrong on #6. If you would have left it at "fans look silly in jerseys," it would have been OK. I disagree, but it's a legitimate argument. But NO ONE should have their own name on their back unless you're on the field.
No doubt about the baseball season. Start it a week later and schedule some double headers — even though it might cost teams some money. I would like to see the season begin April 7, one week later will make a huge difference. Heck, while we're at it, lets cut the season down to 154 games so we finish September 23 or so. That way, we won't be playing baseball in Detroit in November. Although, a Tiger game on my birthday (Nov. 4) would be an unbelievable treat! Starting in northern cities is ridiculous. I sat in 34° weather last April. No fun. Why do the Rays open on the road? It makes no sense, especially since I'm going to be in Tampa later that week!
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