The weirdest rules in sports and the absurd stories behind them | Weird Rules Marathon: Volume 1

[@CSLucasEpic]

That first one reminds me of the time the Athletics hired a designated runner, Herb Washington, who had zero baseball experience because he was a track and field sprinter. The A's hired him from 1974 to 1975, with his career ending with the craziest of stat lines: 105 games, zero at-bats, 33 runs scored and 31 stolen bases. The man played 105 baseball games and never even wore a baseball glove or held a bat a single time. Oh, and the owner, Charlie Finley, made a specific clause on his contract that he would be paid extra if he was able to grow a mustache. Why? Because Charlie Finley. That's why.

[@Kerrmunism]

I remember hearing a time a track star was hired basically just as someone to do kick returns but it didn't end up working out great. Wish I could go into more detail but I just don't remember that much about it 😅

[@ETYPEJaguar38]

Didnt he get caught stealing about as much as he actually stole the base?

[@ayou055]

Those stats are wild, but I think the moustache thing is pretty standard contract law in any major sports. Every sports star instantly becomes more marketable if they have a moustache, and the teams want to encourage this.

[@pootpoot1001]

@@ETYPEJaguar38 if so even those numbers arent too bad, if you have 1 or 2 outs and the man on first is slow, its better to put him in. id hope if they went out of their way to sign a really fast guy he would convert more than 50% of steals tho

[@EebstertheGreat]

According to the MSU website, "... [Herb] Washington became the only player in baseball history to make $100,000 without swinging a bat or throwing a pitch. The tricky part was a bizarre clause that he had to grow a mustache by Opening Day. As hard as he tried, the baby-faced Washington could barely sport a stubble. So he colored the holes with an eyebrow pencil and passed the test for another $2,500."

[@SUBMACHINEGOTH]

I love Weird Rules, the episode with Jon still haunts me when i close my eyes.

[@PapaMoostafa01]

Welcome to eternity.

[@firekindler]

Welcome to eternity! Hello everybody, hope you enjoy it!

[@Jame5man]

@@firekindler oh no.

[@zkid001]

Why? Jon is not the least bit haunting 😅

[@ChipoJ]

Did you check whether you died while you watched it?

[@bigideasthescholar]

0:00 American Football Goaltending 4:00 Football Referee Goal Scoring 7:14 Baseball Batters Eye Rule 12:20 Roger Neilson 3 Hockey Rules 18:05 Basketball Free Throw Goaltending 21:27 Golf Stance Building 25:20 Baseball Shirt Catch 29:26 Hockey Referee Absenteeism 33:42 Basketball Free Throw Time Limit 38:01 Bicycle Race Intentional Crash

[@muhammadwahyuhidayat21498]

First part of Weird Rules marathon

[@xkptwistblazex]

To understand a time where Secret Base talent was on camera, we’ve gotta rewind.

[@staidenofanarchy]

I do miss the on camera stuff as opposed to everyone being at home

[@TheMarslMcFly]

Something similar to the missing Hockey Ref at 30:00 happened like a month ago in the 3. Division of Football in Germany. SV Meppen was playing away at Wehen Wiesbaden. After about 20 minutes the ball rolls towards the side out line, the Ref Assistant who shows Offside takes a sidestep to get out of the way of the ball, but because there was a little bump in the pitch he injured his ankle and couldn't continue. The Game was stopped for about half an hour, trying to find a solution. They ended up asking over the stadium speakers if there's a Ref in the crowd. Turns out, there actually is! They found this random Dude who's a Ref in the 'Hessenliga', the 5th Division of German Football. They got him suited up and the Game continued.

[@quantumsessays4817]

The fact a marathon volume of weird rules hasn't been put together till now is absurd to think of now. Thank you Secret Base ❤️

[@komiteunofficialaccount9224]

I was hoping for a brand new Weird Rules, but this will do.

[@leejones8082]

In hockey, if you're up by a goal late in the game, you should be able to pull an attacker for an extra goalie.

[@HenryDaNinth]

Nah

[@chasefinch5783]

there is a rule against getting on your teammates shoulders, like they talked about in the first section, it’s called illegal leverage

[@joshTheGoods]

Right, leverage penalty has been a thing for a long time because people tried things like jumping off of the backs of their defensive linemen. No bueno.

[@NorrinRadd1991]

‘Is there a rule against that??’ ‘Uh tons’ ‘Damn it!’ 😂😂😂😂😂 man I love this series

[@Extinguisher10]

I once had to umpire a slowpitch softball playoff game because TWO umpires didn't show. It was fun and a few of the players said that i did better than some of the umps they get stuck with. I believe that not because I was good, but this league gets stuck with some really bad umps.

[@pugphone2313]

This series is a classic; love to see the compilation! ❤

[@JoshuaFlinn-r5s]

I was excited that they brought back weird rules and happy for new episode. But was a bit sad when I realized it’s old episodes. But then I was happy that it was a compilation and was happy again. Lol

[@bigpoppa1234]

IFAB have since changed the rules so that a referee can't score even on a deflection (can't even have the ball switch to the other team now after hitting a ref). I suppose the referee can ignore the new law about how they're no longer allowed to score, but at that point you don't have referee you have a rogue operator who might as well just declare himself the winner of the game and it's probably up to the two teams to stop playing themselves.

[@laggy3099]

Now see I would gladly watch a sport where the two teams have to set aside their differences and fight against the tyranny of a rouge referee who has become a mad king

[@lylamcdowell7200]

They never realized there is a technical "harlem globetrottering baseball" team known as the Savannah Bananas

[@lylamcdowell7200]

Even the umps have a good time

[@barryswigart1432]

Ah we've passed the "we're doing shorts but not posting shorts" phase and moved into the compilation phase

[@twerktospec]

They weren't getting the NUMBAHS and they're wanting THE MONEY

[@rudinah8547]

They've put out 10 brand new videos in the last 2 months, chill

[@barryswigart1432]

@@KxngMaxwell DO NOT OPINION. CONSUME CONTENT.

[@devanwelch4049]

@@barryswigart1432 What’s wrong with condensing them into one video? Especially in a series that’s so self referential.

[@F76CC]

@@barryswigart1432 “I will criticize you for consuming content while I am on KZbin……consuming content.” 😂😂 the lack of self awareness is astounding.

[@woodalldoesgames1774]

24:23 this rule would like like that one Patriots Vs Dolphins game where they brought a snowplow onto the field to clear a place for the kicker

[@ZX_Erineon]

Yo I freaked out with happiness seeing Patrick Gill! Lets go!!!

[@emde6]

In 1969 the goal posts were on the goal line. It made much more sense to have a tall guy there blocking on short kicks than from 1974 when the poss are at the back of the end zone

[@brixiu5]

Even though i gave watched most of the weird rules eps about twice each, I still watched this on full. Sign of a great series.

[@futurecoug2012]

That golf DQ rule is truly absurd

[@88porpoise]

In 2016 or 2017 an LPGA golfer lost in a playoff after having a penalty phoned in adding two strokes plus an additional two strokes for an incorrect scorecard (I assume they changed this in the 30 years after the case in the video), in other words they would have won by four strokes. After that, they removed the ability for viewers to call in penalties (they could not require video reply to detect a penalty) and they also removed the penalty for handing in an incorrect scorecard if it is because of a penalty the player was unaware of at the time. And a couple years ago they adopted a completely new rulebook that exclude viewer reporte penalties and the incorrect scorecard for later assessed penalties.

[@blakewu1375]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think at least part of the origin for the NBA 10-second free throw shooting rule might be Karl Malone, who would take forever to take his free throw shots (and he was one of the NBA's leaders in FTs), not just twirling and massaging the ball like some players do, but doing his mysterious long silent mantra routine (to this day, nobody knows what he was saying, and he's always refused to tell people what it was).

[@theflev-matic4892]

Probably the closest we'll ever get to a video with Pat Gill and Jon Bois

[@KlassicLoL]

One of my favorite shows on SB

[@Weavileiscool]

For the cycling one there is a running joke that someone might do that in cross country because it also has that rule.

[@loufancelli1330]

I remember the Craig Stadler one and, first of all, Craig Stadler was decidedly NOT fashionable lol, but he was a fun golfer to watch. It was bizarre how some dude on his couch got him DQ'd and pretty much everyone was upset by it. Also, how has someone so involved in sports not heard of Morganna? I know it's been a long time, but she had to have done her schtick 100 times over 20ish years.

[@88porpoise]

On Morganna, it has been 24 years since she quit so when these videos were made it had been 19 years since her last kiss. It isn't surprising that a young adult these days wouldn't be familiar with her.

[@robertewalt7789]

Re the basketball shot clock. Dean Smith, of North Carolina, developed a set of plays called four corners. Four of the players would go to the four corners of the front court, pass the ball from player to player until the game time ran out.

[@zakarypembleton9666]

HELL YES!! I feel like its been a decade since we've gotten a Weird Rules video

[@AdderallAscension]

Cant die yet, must watch all sb documentaries Jk it’s not a documentary

[@Scoots1994]

On the free throw time limit thing (and I may have written this the first time that came up here), There was a game I was at where fans starting counting the 10 seconds down on Karl Malone (who had a LONG ritual before shooting ... I think he actually talked to the ball at one point after or during some sort of ball massage) as soon as he got the ball and his FT shooting fell apart. I never understood why other fans didn't do it and I guess it's because back then nobody knew it had even happened.

[@franksylva9031]

Dennis Johnson used to bounce the ball the number of seasons he was in the league before shooting the free throw

[@Scoots1994]

@@franksylva9031 Malone wouldn't say what he said to the ball.

[@williamscarcia7903]

How does an nba fan not know about the 10 second free throw rule. There's been a lot of drama about it. Russ and giannis are big examples I remember

[@ParsnipPizza]

This would've predated Giannis' situation

[@muhammadwahyuhidayat21498]

Where's The Worst Marathon at?

[@mikeavina168]

I think you’re thinking of Jon Bois channel

[@spencerhurley3111]

I'm pretty sure they have another series called the worst, but I thought the same thing at first.

[@joemarshall4226]

In the 1960s, the Dallas Cowboys hired Bob Hayes,the world's fastest human, who still holds the world record for the 100 yard dash at 9.1 seconds (they only run the 100 meters now). He went on to have a long career, and become one of the best receivers in the NFL

[@c3mi979]

It would be better to put the basketball player up close to the line of scrimmage, especially on long field goal attempts. The trajectory is usually pretty low and you'd have a better chance of blocking it at the line instead of at the goal post

[@TheAndyk123]

You used to be able to kind of vault off of one of your own players to try to get a higher jump at the line and block the FG. I want to say the NFL made that illegal like 10 years ago.

[@KDill29]

The batters eye is actually so the batter can see the ball coming. More specifically during day games. With a crowd behind the pitcher during the day, with the sea of different colored clothes, it would be hard to see the ball coming to the plate. That is why, some stadiums, for instance Fenway, attendance at night games is higher. Cause the seats are now open. Also the same for other, but not all stadiums. So no, the batter eyes behind the pitcher is not for stopping people fecking with the batter. Sorry guys but you got it sorta incorrect. And I'm pretty sure I said this, from the og video, when you guys covered this.

[@alexparker3277]

Hmm, all those binder rulebooks look suspiciously like each other. No way that he just replaced the cover page, right? RIGHT?!

[@SecretBaseSBN]

ALEX KNOWS TOO MUCH

[@JWex-jy7sk]

We’ve had a lack of Jon Bois/Alex Rubinstein Dorktown content for quite awhile. Please tell me this means they’ve been working on something big! Another team history documentary in the making???

[@LeoScott]

They’re always gone for months working on their next thing. Something will probably be out in a few months, maybe.

[@daffers2345]

I'm hoping it's another hilarious Fumble Dimension. I know next to nothing about sports, but they make it super-fun! :D

[@EduardoNevesSilva]

@@daffers2345 Some weeks ago, Kofie was playing NBA2K franchise mode, but imposing all suggested rule changes.

[@Zwickerly2]

@@LeoScott They did massive docs on terrible Baseball and Football teams already. I'm guessing its either a leafs series or Timberwolves

[@LeoScott]

@@Zwickerly2 I’m kinda hoping for something a lot more broad, like a whole history of a sport in the same vein as FITAOL.

[@thecheesehead5840]

Dez didn’t catch that ball. A caught ball can’t touch the ground. The ball popped up from hitting the ground. End of story 😂

[@teamcyeborg]

I think they shouldn't be able to make something against the rules until someone either successfully does it or someone gets injured trying to. Like, trying to block shots in football shouldn't be against the rules if he never successfully did it! They should've let him keep going until he either blocked one (and then made it illegal) or sprained an ankle doing so

[@harmonicarchipelgo9351]

Dwight Howard is not the only slow ft shooter. Giannis has gotten more flak and taunting about it than DH ever did.

[@Heiteinah]

11:20 Two people looking at someone pretty cool

[@kapowjam3462]

Building a stance one kills me every time

[@Supernova2464]

You guys should bring back ’The Worst’

[@ericgropuis]

I already binge the vids so this just makes it easier

[@PFBM86]

The editor of this video apparently doesn't know that Milwaukee has an AHL team

[@itsjohnnyr8560]

Stanky played on the Jackie Robinson Dodgers and had was portrayed in the movie 42

[@PFBM86]

IIRC one time he was on third base with less than 2 outs and the batter hit a short fly ball, so he backed up down the base line and started running back to the base before the outfielder caught it so that he would have a running start to score a sac fly. So now there's a rule against doing that.

[@kapowjam3462]

Usually I marathon weird rules with the playlists but this is a good option.

[@paulteague6837]

Would love to see a deep dive into the 1984 San Diego Padres vs Atlanta Braves brawl.

[@not2be4gotten02]

These guests that I havent seen before should get more appearances!

[@calebwells9838]

The cycling one is crazy to me

[@T123456788]

Aren't the Savannah Bananas violating the batter's eye rule with their little dance routines?

[@Extinguisher10]

That one bit reminded me the end of Doctor Strange. Dormamu, I've come to bargain

[@joemarshall4226]

The guy who was asked to goal tend field goals actually DID block one. Then they made the rule.

[@boredincan]

Blocking a conversion is legal in Rugby Union. You used to be able to lift your team mate up to block the attempt in front of the goal.

[@steinbacht63]

John is one of my favorite people on this channel.

[@lazlochatter]

Wait Pat isn’t with Polygon anymore? What a shock to see him show up here.

[@mrlucasftw42]

That hockey guy is so great!

[@finntjomstol9364]

John and Patrick saved this video.

[@skkahl3400]

If there was ever a basketball player who would perform Tai Chi on the court, it would have been Kareem.

[@skyefox]

4:20 YO IS THAT PATRICK FROM POLYGON?????

[@luisguillermojg]

That is him.

[@mbilica76]

The soccer rule was changed. The ball is dead if it touches a referee and is put back in play with a drop ball to the team that last touched the ball (had possession)

[@shramo]

love the wierd rules series but 38:24 "basically what happened to the Russians" Dude. have you ever heard of lance armstrong?

[@asssm89]

Nielson was the belichick of hockey. Every coach respects him

[@Scoots1994]

You should do a video on the NBA illegal offense rule.

[@jaydee2149]

Nothing like learning sports from two guys who look like they don’t know how to dribble a basketball / throw a spiral or hit a baseball

[@TheUnaturalSelection]

Weird rules supercut is life

[@StephenWest-t2v]

That guy in basketball that led to the shot clock was dean smith

[@GregMcNeish]

Weird Rules, baby!

[@mrxtravagent7130]

We need another Jon Bois & Alex Rubinstein video asap!

[@theCRzeno]

We’ve been expecting you Jon Bois - Atlanta Falcons

[@MountainDewComacho494]

Basketball before the shot clock was unwatchable.

[@joemarshall4226]

Herb Washington stole 48 bases and was thrown out 26 times, for a career SB%. Anything below 70% hurts your team.

[@craigluft7453]

Craig "Think You Can Get It Inside Mine?" Stadler

[@futurecoug2012]

Doesnt everyone know the 10 second rule in basketballs...? Thats easily common knowledge for anyone thats watched the past 3 seasons

[@ZeusMcCormick]

Guys didn’t mind Morganna whatsoever.

[@Dilemina]

Back then, weren't the goal posts in front of the end zone and were two poles you could stand between. I think it would have a small chance of working in those days.

[@MortanAMrk]

I mean statistically you wouldnt get a point/a goal for kicking the ball in someones head cause that be shot deflection, where the shot wouldnt go into the goal until it hits the defender

[@franciscogerbi2631]

The second one is no longer possible. Now when the ref makes contact with the ball it's considered a dead ball

[@ampersand2001]

Polygon celebrity alert!

[@torachan23]

Morgana the kissing bandit should’ve been arrested for sexual assault Imagine a man storming the court at a WNBA game and hugging/kissing the players. REPEATEDLY.

[@Gadget307]

First soccer match I ever watched live, the ref scored😂

[@gmtatum]

My greatest takeaway from this compilation is that killing Hitler is always an acceptable response no matter the sport.

[@og5466]

This is great but we need more Untitled and The Worst episodes

[@jstnrgrs]

That first answer fir the bike race about steroid needles was great! I remember being a fan of cycling during the Lance Armstrong years. Ill never waste my time on thay sport again.

[@tvanddy]

Audibly gasped when I saw Patrick Gill

[@turkeyhound]

There is no law of diminishing returns for weird rule humour

[@markjackson6431]

Beef History: Eric Lindros vs Flyers Organization

[@Zerigala1028]

I watched all of this on the toilet. Where's my trophy?

[@spookyboi8446]

So based on the language of that first rule a defender could still feasibly catch the kick and return it because it specifically notes a deflection.

[@doctorsamu]

you need to do a why 2022 world cup final need a deep review.

[@dudesouls]

Thank you

[@reallifeproductions9776]

4:41 that accent was ON POINT 👉

[@fury.461]

Giannis takes longer than 10 secs for sure xD

[@matthewbrooks5470]

I guess I stopped paying attention for a short while during the last one because I thought the “would you kill someone for a gold medal” question was a segue to talking about Tanya Harding

[@kylek762]

8:28 "The New York Giants are playing what was then the Boston Braves" as if the New York Giants are still a team?

[@thelone0720]

Y'all should do Damian Lillard & Russell Westbrook's beef video next.

[@dollartwentychickentendies]

Can't wait for a NEW Weird Rules episode!

[@AlexDelulu]

27:25 Will talks about someone "Harlem Globetrotter"ing baseball The Savannah Bananas would like a word with you.

[@Extinguisher10]

Oh cone on! If you have a beef with a player, take it out on that player, NOT a DIFFERENT player!

[@BoilingOther]

Love how the channel is called Secret Base and they're talking about how nobody actually wants to play baseball lol. They're right btw