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Barry Petchesky

Ty France grabs a ball that is seemingly foul. But it's fair!

That’s A Fair Ball, Believe It Or Not

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Stumbling Minnesota Twins Struggle With Clocks, Gizmos, Rules, And Authority

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Magnus Carlsen at Day 2 of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship on December 27, 2024 in New York City.

Chess

Magnus Carlsen Quits Chess Tournament Over Jeans Violation

Ray Ratto

INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 19, 2024: Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts after Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins (28) scored on a 34 yard touchdown to ice the win over the Denver Broncos at So-Fi Stadium on December 19, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Nothing Gets Jim Harbaugh’s Motor Running Like An Obscure Rule

Patrick Redford

Handball referees Marcus Helbig (l) and Lars Geipel show the new blue cards in Leipzig, Germany, 1 August 2016. The two will be refereeing at the Olympic games for the second time. PHOTO: JAN WOITAS/DPA | usage worldwide (Photo by Jan Woitas/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Soccer

Soccer’s Rulemakers Are Rolling Out Blue Cards

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Inglewood, California.

SPORTS

CULTURE

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rules

That’s A Fair Ball, Believe It Or Not

Stumbling Minnesota Twins Struggle With Clocks, Gizmos, Rules, And Authority

Magnus Carlsen Quits Chess Tournament Over Jeans Violation

Nothing Gets Jim Harbaugh’s Motor Running Like An Obscure Rule

Soccer’s Rulemakers Are Rolling Out Blue Cards

The Eagles Must Run The Tush Push More

Baseball? More Like Ruleball

We Must Protect Soccer From Grubby Rule-Mongers

The Fake Slide Is A Logical Result Of The QB Slide Rule

Pandemic Baseball Quirks Are Really Starting To Mess With Me