Around Baseball 2014

[BlueJayWay]

Making relief pitchers be forced to pitch a minimum of 3 batters would remove a lot of the strategy of the late innings, and it would leave the defense at a huge disadvantage. Say this rule was enforced, and then 3 LHH were to come up, you would think: "This is the perfect time to use the LOOGY!" However, that wouldn't work because the manager can change all 3 batters for RHH, while the opposing manager can't do anything about it.

Anything that cuts down on the LOOGYs I'm fine with.

 

Personally, I don't mind having multiple pitching changes in an inning, it's a part of the game.

Well, that's you, but for me there's nothing worse than an inning that should have tension being constantly interrupted.

[BlueJayWay]

As for having "stronger" bullpens, I'd argue teams aren't exactly skimping on putting together strong bullpens now. And regardless of how strong a bullpen is, even the best guys struggle finding the strikezone sometimes. The manager should be able to yank them if they've thrown eight straight balls.

Well let's say if the regular rule would be 'new pitcher has to face minimum three hitters', then maybe an exception could be made in that case. If a RP comes in and walks the first two guys, he can be lifted without facing a third hitter. I'm just so sick of the one and done thing we see now.

 

This kind of rule might bias toward the batting team but of course that's no net advantage to anybody over time.

[BlueJayWay]

I guess it depends on if you have a rooting interest in the game. In a Blue Jays game, I don't mind if the Jays make five pitching changes in an inning to exploit the platoon advantage. An extra couple minutes doesn't matter if it improves their win expectancy. And I don't mind if the opposition does it because I'm okay with the Jays doing it.

 

But if it's some other matchup I've decided to sit down and watch for whatever reason, a drawn-out end game can get annoying. Especially if it was a 10 pm start.

Yeah that's just it. It's really annoying in a game I don't have a rooting interest in, a bit less so if it's a Jays game because I'm more concerned with them just winning the game. If they have to make a bunch of changes to get the platoon advantage then so be it. But if they changed the rule it would affect everybody and it would make a better paced game imo.

[intentional wok]

Well let's say if the regular rule would be 'new pitcher has to face minimum three hitters', then maybe an exception could be made in that case. If a RP comes in and walks the first two guys, he can be lifted without facing a third hitter. I'm just so sick of the one and done thing we see now.

 

This kind of rule might bias toward the batting team but of course that's no net advantage to anybody over time.

 

But look how many rules and arbitrary caveats you're putting into this. All for the purpose of cutting out commercial breaks. I could make the same argument for reducing a PA to two strikes and three balls or making a foul count as a third strike to speed things up.

 

The pitching change breaks can't be helped without turning the rulebook on its side. And any tension is still there after a commercial break anyway because baseball doesn't have a clock, which is what makes the game unique.

[BTS]

One change I'd love: no expanded rosters in September.

[GD]

One change I'd love: no expanded rosters in September.

 

If you cut the expanded rosters, do you then remove the playoff eligibility date of Aug 31?

[burlingtonbandit]

One change I'd love: no expanded rosters in September.

 

MLBPA would never approve that.

[Spanky__99]

One change I'd love: no expanded rosters in September.

 

Why, it doesn't effect the game?

[BTS]

Why, it doesn't effect the game?

 

Yeah it does. For five months of the season and playoffs baseball is a strategic game played by two 25-man teams. For one month, baseball is a strategic game played by 30-35 man teams. 7-man bullpens and 4-man benches dictate bullpen uses and pinch hitting patterns for every game played, except for those played in September. It's dumn.

[Spanky__99]

Yeah it does. For five months of the season and playoffs baseball is a strategic game played by two 25-man teams. For one month, baseball is a strategic game played by 30-35 man teams. 7-man bullpens and 4-man benches dictate bullpen uses and pinch hitting patterns for every game played, except for those played in September. It's dumn.

 

Hmmm...good point, I guess they could tweak it to set your 25 man before games? Valid point though.

[Abomination]

Hmmm...good point, I guess they could tweak it to set your 25 man before games? Valid point though.

 

I really like that suggestion.

[TheHurl]

I think the 40 man/25 rosters, options and September call-ups and watching how they are managed are among the most interesting things in sports.

[BTS]

Hmmm...good point, I guess they could tweak it to set your 25 man before games? Valid point though.

 

This would be acceptable.

[Brownie19]

My suggestions:

 

1. Automatic intentional walk...catcher just tells the ump and the batter goes to first.

2. Enforce the rules on stepping out of the box and on the time between pitches. Make it a priority.

3. Reduce the number of warm up pitches for RPs.

4. Limit the number of visits to the mound by the catcher, coaches and managers.

 

All theses things will help speed up the game without changing the roots and history go the game. Baseball is the game without a clock and we love that, but everyone enjoys a faster game and changes will be need to help offset the inevitable delays that video reviews will soon cause.

 

Don't ever restrict strategy in our game. Don't take away shifts, don't make Pitchers face more than one batter?...

[ElNik2013]

So if they eliminate a good chunk of bullpen usage and strategy, will managers go away with them? After all, that's one of the few things they have an impact on.

[Laika]

The union would never let them get away with that "relievers must face 3 batters" rule. Dozens of current major league pitchers would probably lose their jobs if that happened, right?

 

If they want a bit more offense without substantially changing the game, they could always lower the mound again... eh?

[Abomination]

The union would never let them get away with that "relievers must face 3 batters" rule. Dozens of current major league pitchers would probably lose their jobs if that happened, right?

 

If they want a bit more offense without substantially changing the game, they could always lower the mound again... eh?

 

I wonder what that would do to pitcher injuries, whether it would increase or decrease them?

[intentional wok]

The union would never let them get away with that "relievers must face 3 batters" rule. Dozens of current major league pitchers would probably lose their jobs if that happened, right?

 

If they want a bit more offense without substantially changing the game, they could always lower the mound again... eh?

 

Maybe the teams themselves could take offense into their own hands instead of the league legislating it. Idea #1: teach players to slap against the shift. All those automatic baserunners will lead to runs and straighten out the defenders, leading to more opportunities for conventional hitting.

[Laika]

I wonder what that would do to pitcher injuries, whether it would increase or decrease them?

 

It wouldn't decrease them for any obvious reason. Might increase them if guys losing a bit of effectiveness chose to mess up their mechanics to get more velo (inverted W, etc).

[Laika]

Maybe the teams themselves could take offense into their own hands instead of the league legislating it. Idea #1: teach players to slap against the shift. All those automatic baserunners will lead to runs and straighten out the defenders.

 

Idea #2 implement the DH league wide.

[Laika]

Idea #3 super long home runs are worth 2 points!

[intentional wok]

Idea #2 implement the DH league wide.

 

How is this not on the table, but nailing infielders' feet to the ground is?

[TheHurl]

Idea #3 super long home runs are worth 2 points!

 

and a second pitching mound at 75 feet which counts as 3 strikes if you get a strike (foul balls 2)

[Laika]

How is this not on the table, but nailing infielders' feet to the ground is?

 

I'm thinking neuvo-commish was just trolling

[Laika]

and a second pitching mound at 75 feet where you only need 1 strike to get the player out

 

Better yet, kill the league and teach everyone how to play Baseketball.

[intentional wok]

I'm thinking neuvo-commish was just trolling

 

I somehow doubt this.

[Laika]

I somehow doubt this.

 

should have said *hoping

[Spanky__99]

My suggestions:

 

1. Automatic intentional walk...catcher just tells the ump and the batter goes to first.

2. Enforce the rules on stepping out of the box and on the time between pitches. Make it a priority.

3. Reduce the number of warm up pitches for RPs.

4. Limit the number of visits to the mound by the catcher, coaches and managers.

 

All theses things will help speed up the game without changing the roots and history go the game. Baseball is the game without a clock and we love that, but everyone enjoys a faster game and changes will be need to help offset the inevitable delays that video reviews will soon cause.

 

Don't ever restrict strategy in our game. Don't take away shifts, don't make Pitchers face more than one batter?...

 

I think the first 3 are already in play, definitely during the AFL, and I believe it's going to be implemented in the MILB, pretty sure anyway. I suggested the 4th earlier as well. Good post.

[baloojayz]

Would miss some of the epic pitcher hitter duels, but feel like foul balls should be counted for strikes with 2 strikes just like if you were bunting. Would drammatically shorten the game.

The whole point of hitters being awarded balls is so that the pitchers are penalized for not thowing pitches in a reasonably "hit-able" region. If a hitter can and does foul a ball off, it means the pitch was close enough and enticed a swing regardless if there was contact or not. Feel like it is a very lazy part of the game and puts people to sleep. Same would go for a swinging strike 3 that the catcher doesn't catch. HE'S OUT, move on..no need for the throw to first. So stupid to reach base on a thowing error at that point.

[Abomination]

Would miss some of the epic pitcher hitter duels, but feel like foul balls should be counted for strikes with 2 strikes just like if you were bunting. Would drammatically shorten the game.

The whole point of hitters being awarded balls is so that the pitchers are penalized for not thowing pitches in a reasonably "hit-able" region. If a hitter can and does foul a ball off, it means the pitch was close enough and enticed a swing regardless if there was contact or not. Feel like it is a very lazy part of the game and puts people to sleep. Same would go for a swinging strike 3 that the catcher doesn't catch. HE'S OUT, move on..no need for the throw to first. So stupid to reach base on a thowing error at that point.

 

Well, that WOULD shorten the game. Soccer games would also probably feature more scoring than baseball games.