One Rule To Fix Them All

by user Ross K.

There's been a lot of talk lately about rule changes in different leagues; Arguments raging over the DH in MLB and OT in NFL. (More abbreviations, anyone?)

I think there's one rule missing from every American professional sports league - actually every global professional sports league - that could make each individual sport a little more interesting, a little more fair and a little more fun.

The rule of which I speak is, The Do-Over.

Think about it. How many pickup basketball games or sandlot gatherings go by everyday without at least one Do-Over? It's an unwritten part of the everyday life of novice athletes. Why should our professionals be denied this primal right?

I believe that if every team - or individual athlete depending on the sport - got one Do-Over per game or match, it would add a bit of strategy to the coaches utility belt, it would take a little bit of pressure off the athletes (until their team's Do-Over was already used) and it would take away a little bit of stress from the fans.

Think of what a Do-Over rule would have done for Cleveland teams alone?! A few Super Bowl trips for the Browns? An NBA Finals trip for the Cavs? A World Series trip for the Tribe... it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

Maybe you can't identify as well as a Cleveland fan when it comes to the benefit of a Do-Over. Here are some examples of when a Do-Over might come in handy:

• Game Seven of the NBA Finals, the opposing team targets a rookie towards the end of the game and puts him at the foul line. Not used to the nerves, he misses his first shot. Do-Over!
• Centre Court at Wimbledon, Andy Roddick shoots a 195 mph serve that his just outside the line to lose in the first round again. Do-Over!
• Week 17 of the NFL season, 4 seconds left, down by 3 a coach decides to go for the win and the QB throws it out of the back of the endzone. Do-Over!
• Phil Mickelson leads a tournament by a whole bunch and then at the 18th decides to... well, you get the picture. Do-Over!

Now you may be thinking, how is this fair? Why should these athletes get a second shot? Well, apparently, you've never properly used a Do-Over for your own benefit. Plain and simple, Do-Overs are always fair.

I say we stop squabbling over the rules that we'll never agree on and join together in the cause that we can all identify with. Let's start a fight for the Do-Over!

Add the Do-Over! fan box to your userpage! Just type {{Do-Over!}}.

Date

Sat 08/26/06, 2:54 pm EST

Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1190 days ago

Score 3

Can we get a do-over on this article???

Just kidding.

In theory, everything works in theory.

Do-overs, you mean like the '72 Olympics? No matter what, even with do-overs the Indians, Cavs and Browns STILL would have lost, so accept it. Do-overs would castrate ALL of sports greatest moments. The Catch, The Shot heard round the world, Gibson's WS Home Run, the Home Run off of Jose Canseco's head - would ALL be rendered mute.

The upside - Fisk hits the Homer over the Green monster, the Reds call do-over and he does it again, THEN you have some drama!!!

Nice Box.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1190 days ago

Score 0

rendered moot, not mute... well, maybe a little

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DemonboyDraft Pick

1190 days ago

Score 1

I like.... 1986 - ball goes through Buckner's legs - Red sox call "do-over"... 2003 - Alex Gonazalez botches a routine double play ball for the Cubs after the Bartman fiasco - Cubs call "do-over".... I like!! ++

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1189 days ago

Score 1

again, even with the do-overs the outcomes would rarely change. Plus think about the implications when coaches will blow their do-over too early in the game and then not have it later.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1190 days ago

Score 1

They have that sort of thing in golf - a mulligan. Really helpful on TW 2006.

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CochiseWaterboy

1189 days ago

Score 1

I have to say if this is a serious article, its the worst idea I have ever heard. I don't think I have to defend that statement, but in short it would undermine the professional in professional sports.

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1189 days ago

Score 1

I have to say if this comment is serious about this article is serious, you need to see a doctor about that stick in your butt. Lighten up, dude. :-)

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1189 days ago

Score 3

No, cpcp... Cochise makes a great point! And just barely in time to stop all of the professional sports leagues from implementing your evil plan! Whew, THAT was close! Good looking out Cochise!

There's sarcasm and then there's sarcasm.

I think the stick up his butt might have a stick up it's butt too!

One more thing... can we get a flashier name for this innovention than "Do-over"???

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1189 days ago

Score 0

I stayed with Do-Over because I believe it's one of those words that's universal in every language. It's a good thing too, had I made it any more technical Cochise's head might have imploded from the waist up leaving only a butt on a stick (usually only found at state fair concession stands).

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CochiseWaterboy

1189 days ago

Score 0

I've never played a pick-up basketball game with do-overs though. Or any other sport really outside of golf. I think he may be confusing rematch with do-over...

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

1188 days ago

Score 0

vidoe games? you NEVER hit restart?

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CochiseWaterboy

1188 days ago

Score 0

I didn't know we were talking about video games...but even in that case, I just ask for a rematch if I lose to a friend. I don't bother playing the mediocre AI anymore.

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