If you look at the evolution of the four major sports & their rule changes in the past 20 years it’s pretty evident that you can find something in each that makes it a little less manly.  I understand that these are really billion dollar corporations and whatever they change is geared to make more money, but when does it go too far.  

     Hockey of the four sports may actually need to do more to increase player safety. They have made some recent changes and are considering more for blindside hits, checking, and clearing which I commend them for. I just hope they don’t go so far that they take out what the people who enjoy watching hockey watch it for.

     Baseball in my opinion, definitely needs to expand instant replays to entire game with upstairs umpire, go to video on all close plays at any base and possibly go to a computerized K-zone.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a game or highlights and saw a double play in which 2nd base was not actually touched or the runner gets to 1st at the same time as the ball.  The fences at the parks need to be put back in most of the fields; some have distances as low as 310 feet. I’m not exaggerating when I say that there are little leaguers that can hit that far.  However, they have done a great job with the steroid testing since they have implemented it but as they have in minors and every sport should; when the next collective bargaining agreement comes around they need to get HGH testing as well.  They need to stop warning pitchers for throwing inside also, but even with all the problems they still are doing better than NFL and NBA in keeping their collective man card. 

     The NBA…where should I begin? They are now calling what used to be good hard fouls, flagrant.   They have terrible referees, which I still think are being told to rig the games by a horrible commissioner. The 3 point line needs to be moved back at least another two feet, it’s way too close. Don’t know if it’s the generation but grown men i.e. Dwight Howard & Lebron James have been dancing during games like their trying out for a high school drill squad without repercussions. Players now complain and whine more than ever and to top it off look at the mannerisms of some of the players; no need to call names (Chris Bosh & Lebron James).

     In the NFL’s case it is a violent collision sport and I don’t want to take anything away from the players but the league is slowly transforming them into cry baby NBA players.  They should bring back the horse collar tackle, clothes line tackle, head slap, and spearing. They now can’t hit quarterbacks below the knees or in the helmet.  From the time players put on pads in pee wee, players know there is a very good chance you will get hurt. If they decide to play, let them at their own risk. Now that’s not saying not to keep improving on equipment or to let anything go but all these new rules are hurting the game.  The only players I ‘ve heard commenting that they like the changes are QB’s and we all know what diva’s most of them are.  If you’re are out there playing not to get hurt then you will, which is why injuries have gone up not down.

     In conclusion the majority of fans don’t care for the way sports have been evolving; the players want to play the game that was intended to be played.  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Unfortunately, in typical corporate American standard the leagues will more than likely keep making changes that they feel can make them more money than they made the previous year unless the public makes a bigger stand in saying we don’t like it.

Written by J. Darien Stokes, contributing writer for STACKS Magazine