Baseball has changed

[nodpete]

The guy starting on second in extra inning games was tried in the minors before COVID, so were 7 inning double headers. It's all an effort to speed up the game. Back in the good ole days of baseball a game usually took less than 3 hours. Now with most batters primping, adjusting and trying to look cool between pitches the games are taking over 3 hours, closer to 4.

I hate the new rules, supposedly after this season they're gone, back to normal, too many complaints from the fans. I just wish they would do away with the DH too but now rumor has it next year it will be in effect in both leagues. The DH was put into effect mostly to prolong the careers of older stars but it eliminated a lot of strategy that really was good for the game.

They need to go back to the way it was played in it's golden days, you want to speed it up? Penalize batters stepping out of the box between each pitch to make sure they look good. Give the pitcher the ball and a few seconds and then throw it, if the batter isn't ready it's on him.

Watch any game Bob Gibson pitched back in the day. He often kept it under 2 hours. He didn't play, if you kept him waiting you'd be eating a 97 m p.h. fastball on the next pitch.[/QUOTE]



I loved watching him pitch. I understand he had asthma and when it was hot, he said he wanted to get the game over with quickly.

 

[LVSteve]

Getting rid of the shift is ridiculous. That's like telling a defender in the NFL if he lines up on the left that he can't move across the field to make a tackle.

 

[SMSgt]

I think the shift sucks too. But that's just me.

A smart batter learns to hit the opposite direction.

 

[TXBryan]

Commissioner Manfred has stated there is serious consideration of banning the shift by requiring two defensive players on either side of 2nd base. Not official yet. Manfred has also said the seven-inning double-headers are likely headed the way of the Dodo.

I still think the rule requiring each relief pitcher to face three batters is a crippling blow to the game's strategery. Making the game less interesting for the sake of faster is ridiculous.

And speaking of speeding up the game; by all means get rid of call challenges. There is little doubt that the "New York" official makes as many, or more, mistakes than the umps on the field. Sure have seen some good calls overturned and bad calls confirmed so what are we doing here? And get rid of the little strike-zone outline on television. What difference does it make? A pitch is whatever the umpire calls it and knowing it's two inches outside and called a strike doesn't do my temper any good when the call goes against my team. Since players and team staff "cannot" argue balls & strikes why do we need anything except the umpire's call?

Good thing my son is playing ball for another four years at our local high school as it renews my appreciation for the game every spring. Still doing it right in the bush leagues.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Getting rid of the shift is ridiculous. That's like telling a defender in the NFL if he lines up on the left that he can't move across the field to make a tackle.

Yup. A simple bunt down the third base line wins every time. Arenado had an infield single yesterday against the Padres' shift, albeit the little tap down third wasn't on purpose.

Learn a new skill. It's not like they're being paid to play or anything . . .

 

[mtgianni]

I like the ability to challenge a call for replay. I don't know of a profession that doesn't have some review. I see far too many that were not right the first time.

 

[doublesharp]

Sad to watch the Reds fold up but glad to see the class a Cincy fan and a Dodger outfielder showed Sunday.

A Reds rookie got his 1st hit and it was a home run. Dodger outfielder, Mookie Betts, had the presence of mind to ask the fan for the ball - fan did not hesitate in tossing Betts the ball and Betts got it to the Reds clubhouse so rookie has a souvenir.

Next inning Betts gives the fan an autographed bat. Class act all the way around.

Mookie Betts trades bat to get TJ Friedl'''s first home run ball

 

[375hh1973]

1. Shorten the season to 130 games
2. Permanently keep a pitch clock
3. Permanently keep double headers at 7 innings
4. Have cheerleaders
5. If the game is tied after 11 innings, have a derby

Baseball is boring to my generation. As the older generation dies off, there will be fewer fans. Better start attracting them now

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

It's NOT overtime. It's EXTRA INNINGS. Or as the announcer says "Free Baseball"

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

1. Shorten the season to 130 games
2. Permanently keep a pitch clock
3. Permanently keep double headers at 7 innings
4. Have cheerleaders
5. If the game is tied after 11 innings, have a derby

Baseball is boring to my generation. As the older generation dies off, there will be fewer fans. Better start attracting them now

Suggest that you watch the movie "Money Ball" to see what actually goes into a baseball season-it is absolutely fascinating the strategy that a manager implements over the course of a season. Baseball is NOT a game made for TV. It is a throwback to a more relaxed time whee one had time ot savot te game, read stats figure out who to pitch, what shifts, etc. It isn't made for fast paced times like today. One gets that in following a college team but unless you pick and follow one team you loose a lot of it especially id you do not live in a major league city and have a rooting interest in a particular team. It is why football has become so popular.Totally different animal. I think baseball is perhaps the hardest game to play successfully over time for a player.

 

[F4phantom]

Just saw on the news that Rawlings was moving their production to China. So now the equipment for baseball will be made in China. Do they have baseball there?

 

[Justin T]

Just saw on the news that Rawlings was moving their production to China. So now the equipment for baseball will be made in China. Do they have baseball there?

Yes, actually, they have a professional league there.

Edited: for clarity, the league is in Taiwan.

Here is a fun little analysis of a situation by jomboy media. There's some f-bombs and stuff, so fair warning: [ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bWAiViyVd20[/ame]

 

[375hh1973]

Suggest that you watch the movie "Money Ball" to see what actually goes into a baseball season-it is absolutely fascinating the strategy that a manager implements over the course of a season. Baseball is NOT a game made for TV. It is a throwback to a more relaxed time whee one had time ot savot te game, read stats figure out who to pitch, what shifts, etc. It isn't made for fast paced times like today. One gets that in following a college team but unless you pick and follow one team you loose a lot of it especially id you do not live in a major league city and have a rooting interest in a particular team. It is why football has become so popular.Totally different animal. I think baseball is perhaps the hardest game to play successfully over time for a player.

I agree that there is wayyyyyyy more strategy in baseball than other sports.

I can get into post season baseball, LDS, LCS, WS.

Just seems like 162 is way too many regular season games.

 

[Jaco1234]

Manfred is the worst commissioner ever. Does not care about the integrity of the game/

 

[Rustyt1953]

It all went downhill when they introduced the glove.

 

[LVSteve]

It all went downhill when they introduced the glove.

As someone who played cricket back in the day, I agree. Get the gloves off the outfielders.

 

[mtgianni]

Manfred is the worst commissioner ever. Does not care about the integrity of the game/

With the possible exception of his predecessor.

 

[Jaco1234]

Yep Selig was bad but it takes a Harvard lawyer to really screw things up.

Rob Manfred Hates Baseball - YouTube