There are some things in sports that are just fine the way they are.

The smell of hot dogs in a baseball park. A bicycle kick for a goal in soccer. Cheerleaders.

Other things need to stop.

Turf that is any color other than green. Domed stadiums. Hope Solo.

Here are some other things that need to change — immediately:

• Get your TMZ out of my ESPN.

Sports coverage on television has deteriorated rapidly over the years.

Rock bottom came Tuesday.

ESPN spent way too much time celebrating Tim Tebow’s 25th birthday.

And here I thought Tebow was born on Dec. 25. Hmm.

The network, apparently growing tired of covering Chad Ochopsycho, or whatever his name is now, aired a segment about Tebow’s birthday complete with streamers and a birthday cake.

Ugh.

• End this stupid lockout and get the real NFL officials back on the field.

Sure, it’s only the first week of preseason, but the replacement referees showed they are not ready for prime time. Not. Even. Close.

In the Bills-Redskins game, Buffalo downed a punt at the Washington 4, yet the replacement refs marked the ball at the 20 as if there was a touchback.

Buffalo coach Chan Gailey had to throw a challenge flag to get the ball marked properly.

If the replacement refs are still on the field when the season starts Sept. 5, it will be a disaster. A team is going to lose because of a blown call.

The NFL would be putting a kabillion dollar industry in the hands of six dudes making $100 working Division III college games last year.

Unacceptable.

• Designated hitter in both leagues or not at all. Pick one already.

Personally, I like the DH. Then again, I grew up in an American League city. I’m sure if I grew up in a National League market, I’d probably loathe pitchers not hitting.

With Houston moving to the AL next year, thereby necessitating an interleague game nearly every day, either eliminate the DH or take all bats away from pitchers for good.

It’s ludicrous to have different rules.

It’s like the NFL having touchbacks come out to the 25 in the AFC and to the 20 in the NFC.

• NBA “salary cap.”

It’s one of the biggest lies in all of sports. The NBA does not have a salary cap. Not really.

Every team is over the cap. Every one. The Lakers will be $41 million over the cap next year with the addition of Dwight Howard.

There’s mid-level exceptions, mini mid-level exceptions and you can trade a player with an $X salary for another player with an $X salary.

The system is horribly broken.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.