Sports Inception: Ideas That Should Be Planted in Bosses' Heads

The number one movie in America is Christopher Nolan's science-fiction thriller "Inception".

The film stars a host of talented actors including Leonardo DiCaprio, and discusses breaking into someone's dream, and planting an idea to make it seem as if it was their own.

Which got me to thinking if given this ability what would I choose as things in sports to change if I had the power of "Inception" over sports principles like David Stern and Roger Goddell.

It is very interesting to think of these things that need changing, and if they could would you change them?

Designated Hitter Use in National League

This is an idea that could very easily be planted in MLB commissioner Bud Selig's head simply, because it has a proven track record of being a positive thing in the American League.

The DH role in the American League began after American League team owners voted 8-4 in 1973 to allow the rule to take hold.

Since than ,it has had numerous positive affects on the game including lengthening the careers of many great players and hitters including Edgar Martinez and Frank Thomas.

Pitchers roles as hitters is taken seriously by some like much-maligned Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and the Nationals Jason Marquis, but for most they simply wiff on three pitches in order to take the field again.

The Senior Circuit should join the American League in adopting the DH into it's fold.

Enforce Traveling in NBA

Now—this change in sports would most likely have to involve penetrating more than David Stern's mind. It would involve changing the way all the referees look at, and call the games.

This has been the subject of debate that is hard to clarify for many die-hard and casual fans of NBA basketball.

Do the refs consciously allow the players in some instances to basically run from the three-point line without dribbling?

Some think that this an isolated problem that occurs. Others think it is one of the many points of context in the dislike for the pro game.

One thing is for certain—it would be hard to change.

Here are some examples of the most blatant missed calls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX_tiOKFY0s

Video Courtesy of: Youtube.com

Move to Playoff Format in College Football

Another hard idea to plant would be getting the Presidents and Board of Regents of the Universities to convert away from the BCS format for college football, and move to getting into playoff format.

Perhaps, like the movie a projection in the dream of President Barack Obama calling for a playoff would convince the decision-makers to change their ways.

Most of the fans of the game would be thrilled with the move as it would be very exciting to see the drama of a four or eight-team playoff.

It would also allow for the small schools to have a legitimate chance at a National Championship, and truly prove who is the best in the land.

Bring Instant Replay to International Soccer

This seems to be an idea that would not require much "depth" of intrusion into the dreaming of the powers that be with FIFA. Perhaps a little nudge is all that is needed to get instant replay for goal situations instituted.

This past World Cup showed that instant replay is a must going forward for international soccer as the magnitude of the consequences are enormous.

The fate of a country's destiny in the tournaments hinges on every single goal, and for a referee to simply miss a call it is not acceptable.

It basically comes down to the fact that the technology is available, and it should be used.

Shorten the MLB Season

This idea is something that some think should be done, but it for many reasons is an idea I would never try to get Bud Selig to think of.

The belief that the Major League season is too long and the fact that the Fall Classic sometimes, and recently has become the Winter Classic (no not the hockey one)is held by some.

The game has been at the current format of the 162 game season since expansion occurred in 1961, and before that year it was at 154.

Any change would tarnish the record books, and would bring out the annoying word "asterisk" to a whole new level.

Add More NFL Games to Season

This could easily be an idea that could be planted "Inception" style if the dreams of NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith were infiltrated before the start of the CBA (Collective Bargainning Agreements) talks after this season.

Many players feel that the four game preseason schedule is way too long, and that only one or two games would be adequate.

Adding two more games to make the NFL season 18 regular season games would simply be a move for monetary purposes.

Some feel that this idea is terrible, because it would push the season even further into the frigid months of February.

Move NHL Coverage to a Different Network

This is another idea that Leo and his team of "dream navigators" could work on after this upcoming 2010-2011 season is over.

Gary Bettman would be "The Mark" as it is referred to in the movie, and the goal would be to move the NHL's primary coverage from Versus to ESPN.

Why would this be a great move?

For one, it would help with the rapid growth in popularity the league has received steadily since the end of the lockout in 2005.

Also, it would allow for more air-time for talented analysts such as Barry Melrose and Matthew Barnaby.

Finally, it would bring the great Gary Thorne back to hockey, and allow him to break away from Orioles Baseball and the PBA.

Make the One Year of College Ball Rule Disapper

Get David Stern to "Lay Down the Law"!

The simple goal is the common sense objective of getting rid of the nonsensical rule of NBA hopefuls having to spend one season in college.

No one seems to think this rule is productive in anyway educationally. It is a showcase for these players who otherwise had no vision of seeking higher learning, and had their sights set on a NBA payday all along.

A system in which a player would be required to play two seasons in college basketball in which they would be more tempted to stay, and earn a degree would be best.

Otherwise, the best option is to revert to the old format, and let the high schoolers ball it up.

Salary Cap For MLB

Making a person want to break up his father's energy empire worth billions in inheritance as seen in the movie would look like peanuts compared to pulling off this whopper.

Having a salary cap in baseball would completely reformat the game.

The dynasty idea would be destroyed, and it would allow for small market teams to compete (although these teams have had success this decade).

It could happen in the dream world, or maybe in a dream within a dream.