Around Baseball 2021

[Deadpool]

larger bases is just stupid

 

hey what about wider bats? smaller gloves? bigger heads? fatter umps?

 

i think mlb 2022 should be played on big head mode

 

If the umps get any fatter, their gravity will start impacting pitch movement.

[BTS]

Has there even been a problem with the product since pitchers were prevented from cheating?

[glory]

I like robo umps (obviously) and a pitch clock. Those two things specifically will help the sport, especially the pitch clock. I've watched baseball with casuals and non-fans, and the biggest issue for them is usually dead time between pitches. I remember seeing an interview with Theo Epstein where he said the things considered most exciting by fans were triples, doubles, and stolen bases. Not sure there is a way to increase 2B/3Bs, but the pick off limit should help SB's.

 

I'm actually fine with all of those rules. Not entirely sure about the shift policy, but if it makes no difference in outcomes on average, then we probably won't even notice it.

[Deadpool]

 

I mean, this is a great shirt.

[Terminator]

Well that's interesting.

 

I'm very skeptical of the claim that slightly bigger bases lead to less collisions and injuries sustained around the bag.

 

First, how can they possibly track that data reliably within just one season? Second, the collisions and injuries almost always occur on tag plays at which point the players have to get in close proximity to one another as the defender is literally trying to touch the other one with the ball in his hand. You could make the bases 6 feet by 6 feet but if the defender has to tag the runner it's not going to matter.

[John_Havok]

Has there even been a problem with the product since pitchers were prevented from cheating?

 

Games still take way too long when they don't need to.

[John_Havok]

I'm very skeptical of the claim that slightly bigger bases lead to less collisions and injuries sustained around the bag. First, how can they possibly track that data reliably within just one season? Second, the collisions and injuries almost always occur on tag plays at which point the players have to get in close proximity to one another as the defender is literally trying to touch the other one with the ball in his hand.

 

Without knowing the data they are looking at, and what constitutes the type of collisions they are referring to. Injury reduction would be tough to quantify without a mountain of data since a piss poor slide could cause an injury and that has nothing to do with anything other than poor fundamentals. I'm sure they have specific criteria they need to see to include any sort of play in their data review, but what those criteria are would be great if it was public.

[Terminator]

-The two things I actually want are the universal DH and robo umps. Both are complete no-brainers to me and the arguments against both are horrible.

 

-Bigger bases is really dumb. If they could actually prove it leads to less injuries then I would at least listen I guess.

 

-Shift policing the way it's written above is stupid. I could be open to infielders having to be within the dirt I suppose but I am very against a rule which makes it so you have to have two on each side.

 

Most other things I'm open to in order to entice casual fans:

-I'd dump 7 inning double headers but they aren't the worst thing in the world.

-I don't hate the runner on 2nd in extra innings.

-If a pitch clock speeds up the game and casuals like that then go for it.

-Limited pickoffs as a way to speed the game up is stupid but I actually like the idea if the goal is to increase steals. Close plays at the base are always exciting.

-I like expanded playoffs. It helps deal with the endless amount of pointless games that 3/4 of the league seems to go through each and every year. I think it could help entice more teams to try and compete each year as well. I would probably punish the lower seeds and reward the higher seeds though to try and prevent .500 teams from winning the WS every year. Maybe make it so the first round is played entirely at the higher-seeded team's field or something.

[Spanky__99]

Those rules are big ole Road Apples, save for the pitch clock, and continuing to advance the robo ump technology.

[G-Snarls]

Great interview with Gabe Kapler just now on MLB Network

 

Giants bullpen is looking so solid

 

I have serious manager and bullpen envy though his team may be just making him look good

[Stangstag]

Great interview with Gabe Kappler just now on MLB Network

 

Giants bullpen is looking so solid

 

I have serious manager and bullpen envy though his team may be just making him look good

 

Kapler was a laughing stock with the Phillies

[G-Snarls]

Kapler was a laughing stock with the Phillies

 

That's just it I guess

 

How do you judge a managers performance

 

I thought Girardi was OK but the Yanks fired him and now he's got an underperforming team in Philly too

 

And Boone seems pretty bad but his team might eke into the playoffs

 

Who knows. I guess I do know that Montoyo is lackluster in several important areas

[G-Snarls]

A good bullpen can make a manager look good and vice versa

[Spanky__99]

 

I mean, this is a great shirt.

 

I very much agree, I think I might have to get 1 or 3, lol.

 

Godammit... only in the US through Paypal, seems sketchy.

Edited September 27, 2021 by Spanky99

[Spanky__99]

A good bullpen can make a manager look good and vice versa

 

SFG's bullpen is stacked and deep, I too envy Kapler.

[Spanky__99]

There's no way Gibby watches Chatwood literally walk a baseball game away because he's too scared to go pull him.

 

I really miss that man.

 

[Abomination]

-The two things I actually want are the universal DH and robo umps. Both are complete no-brainers to me and the arguments against both are horrible.

 

-Bigger bases is really dumb. If they could actually prove it leads to less injuries then I would at least listen I guess.

 

-Shift policing the way it's written above is stupid. I could be open to infielders having to be within the dirt I suppose but I am very against a rule which makes it so you have to have two on each side.

 

Most other things I'm open to in order to entice casual fans:

-I'd dump 7 inning double headers but they aren't the worst thing in the world.

-I don't hate the runner on 2nd in extra innings.

-If a pitch clock speeds up the game and casuals like that then go for it.

-Limited pickoffs as a way to speed the game up is stupid but I actually like the idea if the goal is to increase steals. Close plays at the base are always exciting.

-I like expanded playoffs. It helps deal with the endless amount of pointless games that 3/4 of the league seems to go through each and every year. I think it could help entice more teams to try and compete each year as well. I would probably punish the lower seeds and reward the higher seeds though to try and prevent .500 teams from winning the WS every year. Maybe make it so the first round is played entirely at the higher-seeded team's field or something.

 

-Agree with the universal DH and roboumps. It would be interesting to allow a guy like Ohtani to remain as the DH after leaving the game as a pitcher though (assuming the new pitcher coming in wasn't going to hit).

-I don't see any real argument against bigger bases, so if they really do reduce a few injuries and don't grow to ridiculous sizes, then sure.

-I like shift policing. It's entirely possible it has very little real world effect, but it will have a large optical effect on the game. It's really no different than rules regarding lining up in the NFL.

-I think I'm okay with the 7 inning double headers now. If they wanted to tweak it, maybe do 7 innings if a team is up by more than 3 runs or something, otherwise 9.

-I absolutely HATE the runner on 2nd in extras. It actually makes me want to turn the TV off for extra innings.

-Completely on board with the pitch clock. The batters stepping out after pitches needs to be properly enforced too.

-Limited pickoffs (at least that low a number) is horrible. If you want to make it 5 or something, I could get on board with that to prevent fringe nonsense. Maybe make all pitchers step off the rubber to throw to first (lefty or righty) if you want to increase stolen bases.

-Completely on board with expanded playoffs. You could also do something like requiring the higher seed to win 3 games and the lower seed to win 4 games in order to advance (first round only).

[Spanky__99]

This is filthy AF.

 

[Eat My Shatkins]

Robo-ump tech absolutely cannot get perfected and brought to MLB fast enough.

 

I am so f***ing sick and tired of watching umpires fumblef*** there way through a game calling balls and strikes with their personal biases and human error getting in the way.

 

It's usually at the worst goddamn time too.

 

Hopefully the pitch clock is something that works well too. Nothing wrong with speeding up the game in my opinion.

[RustyTrombone]

There's no way Gibby watches Chatwood literally walk a baseball game away because he's too scared to go pull him.

 

He probably starts a fist fight with Chatwood the second time he does it in Cleveland

[Stangstag]

There's no way Gibby watches Chatwood literally walk a baseball game away because he's too scared to go pull him.

 

He should have been fired as soon as that game was over. Absolutely inexcusable

[Deadpool]

-Agree with the universal DH and roboumps. It would be interesting to allow a guy like Ohtani to remain as the DH after leaving the game as a pitcher though (assuming the new pitcher coming in wasn't going to hit).

-I don't see any real argument against bigger bases, so if they really do reduce a few injuries and don't grow to ridiculous sizes, then sure.

-I like shift policing. It's entirely possible it has very little real world effect, but it will have a large optical effect on the game. It's really no different than rules regarding lining up in the NFL.

-I think I'm okay with the 7 inning double headers now. If they wanted to tweak it, maybe do 7 innings if a team is up by more than 3 runs or something, otherwise 9.

-I absolutely HATE the runner on 2nd in extras. It actually makes me want to turn the TV off for extra innings.

-Completely on board with the pitch clock. The batters stepping out after pitches needs to be properly enforced too.

-Limited pickoffs (at least that low a number) is horrible. If you want to make it 5 or something, I could get on board with that to prevent fringe nonsense. Maybe make all pitchers step off the rubber to throw to first (lefty or righty) if you want to increase stolen bases.

-Completely on board with expanded playoffs. You could also do something like requiring the higher seed to win 3 games and the lower seed to win 4 games in order to advance (first round only).

 

On that "stepping off before throwing to first" front, let's also get rid of the spin move to second. I absolutely do not understand how that isn't considered a balk, and if it's not, change the f***ing balk rule.

[John_Havok]

-Agree with the universal DH and roboumps. It would be interesting to allow a guy like Ohtani to remain as the DH after leaving the game as a pitcher though (assuming the new pitcher coming in wasn't going to hit).

-I don't see any real argument against bigger bases, so if they really do reduce a few injuries and don't grow to ridiculous sizes, then sure.

-I like shift policing. It's entirely possible it has very little real world effect, but it will have a large optical effect on the game. It's really no different than rules regarding lining up in the NFL.

-I think I'm okay with the 7 inning double headers now. If they wanted to tweak it, maybe do 7 innings if a team is up by more than 3 runs or something, otherwise 9.

-I absolutely HATE the runner on 2nd in extras. It actually makes me want to turn the TV off for extra innings.

-Completely on board with the pitch clock. The batters stepping out after pitches needs to be properly enforced too.

-Limited pickoffs (at least that low a number) is horrible. If you want to make it 5 or something, I could get on board with that to prevent fringe nonsense. Maybe make all pitchers step off the rubber to throw to first (lefty or righty) if you want to increase stolen bases.

-Completely on board with expanded playoffs. You could also do something like requiring the higher seed to win 3 games and the lower seed to win 4 games in order to advance (first round only).

 

Ohtani wouldn't be the DH though he would be hitting in the lineup as the P spot. The DH rule doesn't even mandate using the DH, it just removes the ability to force pitchers to hit as a pitcher in the AL, so a universal DH rule would just remove the forced pitcher spot hitting in the NL. Teams would still be free to choose to allow the P spot to hit if they had a guy like Ohtani, but when he is removed as the pitcher, no he could not be allowed to remain in the game as the DH, because the DH spot wouldnt exist on the lineup card that day.

 

I'm torn on the shift to the point of apathy. If they want to do make general rules about where an infielder has to start the play, I don't really care. Anything short of drawing a circle on the diamond where each player has to stand is probably not going to change anything.

 

I don't particularly like the runner on 2nd in extra innings, but I understand why they thought it was a good idea for the regular season to keep the games shorter, keep teams from getting their entire pen worked over in one game that screws them for a week. Yeah, it's fine.

 

7 inning doubleheaders... same as above. Don't really like it, but understand why it's felt to be a good thing in the regular season.

 

Pitch clock needs to happen. It's pure dogshit that a pitcher and catcher can't figure out which 1 of 3 or 4 pitches can be thrown in even 25 seconds from the time the pitcher gets the ball back from the previous pitch. The human rain delay pitchers can f*** off. Keep the game moving.

 

I'd never thought about limiting pickoff attempts as a thing, but the more I think about it, the more I like it. It would quite likely lead to more scoring, which is great in my book.

 

Robo umps behind the plate are a f***ing necessity. The sooner the better.

 

Tweak the rule on challenges also. Who cares what the call on the field is... the replay officials only goal should be to confirm whether or not the runner is clearly out. Clearly. Like 0 doubt. If it's not conclusively out, he's safe. It's not hard and it should not take long. If you can't determine if he's out after 3 minutes, safe. Time limit on that as well.

[Eat My Shatkins]

He should have been fired as soon as that game was over. Absolutely inexcusable

 

Montoyo should have been fired on July 4th 2019 after he used Ken Giles against the Red Sox for the third game in a row and broke him, just weeks away from the trade dead line.

 

The Jays were 33-54 and 23.5 games out of 1st in the division. Why in the f*** would a guy do something like that other than him being a complete f***ing moron?

[Spanky__99]

Those roughned Odor ears sure are something.

 

[Abomination]

Ohtani wouldn't be the DH though he would be hitting in the lineup as the P spot. The DH rule doesn't even mandate using the DH, it just removes the ability to force pitchers to hit as a pitcher in the AL, so a universal DH rule would just remove the forced pitcher spot hitting in the NL. Teams would still be free to choose to allow the P spot to hit if they had a guy like Ohtani, but when he is removed as the pitcher, no he could not be allowed to remain in the game as the DH, because the DH spot wouldnt exist on the lineup card that day.

 

What I'm basically saying is that the pitcher would be treated special. There would no longer be a pitching slot in the batting order. Ohtani therefore wouldn't be technically pulled from the game, someone else would simply come in to pitch. Once a pitcher was removed though, they couldn't return to the game again as a pitcher (to prevent possible nonsense).

 

Totally agree on the challenges. They also need to implement the tennis system for automatically calling fair/foul.

 

Also, while we're at it, fix the damn rule regarding losing contact as you slide across the bag at 2nd and 3rd. You're out or safe the instant you first touch the bag, and remain that way unless you lose contact due to moving too far away from the base. As long as some part of you is on or over the bag at all times, you're good.

[Stangstag]

Montoyo should have been fired on July 4th 2019 after he used Ken Giles against the Red Sox for the third game in a row and broke him, just weeks away from the trade dead line.

 

The Jays were 33-54 and 23.5 games out of 1st in the division. Why in the f*** would a guy do something like that other than him being a complete f***ing moron?

 

Forgot about that. I wonder what we could have gotten for him at the deadline...

[Jonn]

Montoyo should have been fired on July 4th 2019 after he used Ken Giles against the Red Sox for the third game in a row and broke him, just weeks away from the trade dead line.

 

The Jays were 33-54 and 23.5 games out of 1st in the division. Why in the f*** would a guy do something like that other than him being a complete f***ing moron?

 

Yup it was completely negligent. He looked hurt that entire inning and kept trying to pitch through it. The fact that Charlie used him in the first place was f***ed. But to let him pitch as long as he did while injured physically digusted me.

[John_Havok]

What I'm basically saying is that the pitcher would be treated special. There would no longer be a pitching slot in the batting order. Ohtani therefore wouldn't be technically pulled from the game, someone else would simply come in to pitch. Once a pitcher was removed though, they couldn't return to the game again as a pitcher (to prevent possible nonsense).

 

Totally agree on the challenges. They also need to implement the tennis system for automatically calling fair/foul.

 

Also, while we're at it, fix the damn rule regarding losing contact as you slide across the bag at 2nd and 3rd. You're out or safe the instant you first touch the bag, and remain that way unless you lose contact due to moving too far away from the base. As long as some part of you is on or over the bag at all times, you're good.

 

SO you're saying that the rule should be that if a team wanted to, they could remove Ohtani from the game as the P and his spot in the order just turns into the DH, where he could remain, while other pitchers come in to pitch?

[Stangstag]

Yup it was completely negligent. He looked hurt that entire inning and kept trying to pitch through it. The fact that Charlie used him in the first place was f***ed. But to let him pitch as long as he did while injured physically digusted me.

 

He let Giles go way too long in that first series against Tampa that year (or was it 2020?) when he was clearly injured too. Velocity was down and he was visibly in discomfort. We ended up losing that game I believe.

 

Charlie is an idiot because he makes the same mistakes multiple times without learning.

 

Charlie is a bitch because he’s too afraid to take his struggling relievers out of the game (Giles, Chatwood)