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Putting It In Writing
Rick Reilly
Sports Illustrated - April 10, 2006
After we
gave up a touchdown in our first Touch Football/Pulled
Groinathon of the year, the guys on the other team sneered and said,
"Suckers walk."
"Says who?" asked our left tackle, Cementhead.
"It's an unwritten rule," explained the other side's captain.
"Oh,
yeah?" said Cementhead. "Show me where." Which is exactly
my
point. Why are sport's unwritten rules unwritten? Get a
Xerox machine under
these puppies and have a copy on everybody's desk in the morning.
The coach always sits in the first row on the team bus. If he is
out sick or dead, the seat remains empty.
Apologize for a point won on a net cord.
Take two or three pitches if your pitcher just made the second out of
the inning.
Never, ever put your finger in someone else's bowling ball.
The starting goalie is always the first player on the ice.
If a line judge makes a bad call in your favor, purposely double-fault
the next point.
A manager never drinks at the same bar as his players.
Never knock in the tying run in the ninth inning of an exhibition
game.
Far better to lose than go extra innings in spring training.
No NBA player attempting a layup in the fourth quarter of a tight game
should go unfouled.
In a losing clubhouse you must act as if there has been a death in the
family.
Hand the manager the ball when he comes to the mound to take you out.
Never shoot the puck into the net after a whistle blows.
Do not talk to or sit near a pitcher with a no-hitter going. And
never bunt to break one up.
A first base coach never stands in the first base coaching box.
Never blow your nose before a fight. (It makes the eyes swell
easier later on.)
Stand as far away as possible from a skeet shooter with a perfect score
going.
Never walk on a player's putting line, including the two feet on the
other side of the cup.
Always clear the inside lane for faster runners.
Never stand behind the pool table pocket your opponent is shooting for.
Never let the interviewee hold the mike.
A catcher may complain to the ump all he wants about balls and strikes,
as long as he doesn't turn around and do it face-to-face.
Never hit the quarterback during practice.
Never start the 100 meters in a decathlon into a wind. Trade
false starts until the breeze is favorable.
When a soccer player is hurt, the opponents must kick the ball out of
play.
Except for Rocky Marciano, the challenger always enters the ring first
-- and always will.
Throw a handful of salt into the air before your sumo wrestling match
begins.
It's true: Suckers walk.
The bus may be delayed by superstars only.
When the coach finally wraps up a long meeting with "Any questions?"
nobody better ask one.
Rookies shag balls, whether they are millionaires or not.
Never shoot high on the goalie during warm-ups.
The back nine is always pressed.
You must admit it when you hit a forehand on the second bounce.
On the playground, offense calls the fouls.
Never write down the score of a bowler who is on a run of strikes.
Never admit you trapped the ball while trying to make a catch.
No overhead smashes at women in mixed doubles.
The caddie of the last player to putt plants the flag.
NBA refs will take some trash from head coaches but not a word from an
assistant.
Never steal with a five-run lead after the seventh inning.
You must alter your course to help a boat in distress.
Boxers never blink during a ref's pre-fight instructions.
When a receiver drops a pass, go back to him on the next play.
Card games are played in the back of the plane.
Scrubs stand during NBA time-outs.
Winners buy.
Got it, Cementhead?
(This column first appeared
in the Jan. 16, 1995, issue)
Copyright
© 2006, Jace Carlton. All International Rights Reserved.
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