Changes to the game coming this year??

[TerryPuhl21]

Just reported via Ken Rosenthal that the players association has requested that the DH be implemented league wide before the start of the upcoming 2019 season. It was part of proposed changes exchanged between the MLBPA and MLB in January. The league wants a 3 batter minimum for relief pitchers when pitching changes are made.


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[Noe]

Just reported via Ken Rosenthal that the players association has requested that the DH be implemented league wide before the start of the upcoming 2019 season. It was part of proposed changes exchanged between the MLBPA and MLB in January. The league wants a 3 batter minimum for relief pitchers when pitching changes are made.


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Call it the Nelson Cruz clause. Keeps players in the game longer on both the pitcher and batter behalf.

[TerryPuhl21]

Call it the Nelson Cruz clause. Keeps players in the game longer on both the pitcher and batter behalf.

I know I’m probably in the minority, but I’ve grown to love the DH. I never want to see another pitcher hit.

Find it hard to believe it would start this year however. Seems to me like if the NL teams agree to change, they would want a full offseason to shape their roster. Yeah, there are still free agents out there, but some NL teams could have played earlier on Cruz and others had they known ahead of time.


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[Nate Colbert]

Other proposals from the owner's side:

--Reduce mound visits to 4 in 2019 (already on the table was a reduction to 5 visits this season)
--Further reduce mound visits to 3 in 2020
--Increase roster size to 26 beginning in 2020
--Lower Sept roster size to 28 from the current 40 (again for 2020)
--Raise required days on DL (presumably back to the old 15 days)
--Increase minimum days to be spent in the minors when optioned from 10 to 15

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Interesting array of interests behind these proposals:
Players/Union, Team Management,  and the League Offices.

I sincerely doubt field managers would want to limit mound visits or place a 3 batter minimum on relievers. 

Players want the DH, Leagues might for ratings,  but payroll conscious teams might not.

[chuck]

I guess I'm the only person in the known universe that loves mound visits.

Why even allow relief pitchers? No, fuck that. You wanted that guy at the start of the game? Great. You keep his ass in there, motherfucker, what, you think we got all night here? I don't have DVR on my Fobu and AGT comes on at ten.

[moriartp]

I have no problem with any of those proposals except expanding rosters to 26, and even that is a minor thing.

I would also just ban mound visits entirely.

[Mr. Happy]

I know I’m probably in the minority, but I’ve grown to love the DH. I never want to see another pitcher hit.



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When I was pitching, I fucking loved the DH, and so did my teammates, because all I could do with a bat was bunt. I may have been the worst hitter ever. As a lifelong NL fan, I decried the DH about the purity of the game. However, after the Astros have been using the DH, I now like it, perhaps a nod to my lack of hitting ability.

I figured that if I had been good and fortunate enough to have pitched professionally, no one but no one would willingly pay to see me hack. I was such a poor hitter and hated hitting so much that my coach in American Legion, when we were way up, would occasionally fuck with me and make me pinch hit, and, of course, all my teammates would be caterwalling from the dugout when I went to the on deck circle. Bastards had too much fun at my expense, but it was great for team morale, not that it was ever a problem because it wasn't. That team was undefeated two years in a row.

[Ron Brand]

Stop going to fucking commercials every time there is a hint of a break in the action and the game'll tighten up. Set a reduced amount of ad time in a game and raise the prices for it accordingly.

[doyce7]

When I was pitching, I fucking loved the DH, and so did my teammates, because all I could do with a bat was bunt. I may have been the worst hitter ever. As a lifelong NL fan, I decried the DH about the purity of the game. However, after the Astros have been using the DH, I now like it, perhaps a nod to my lack of hitting ability.

I figured that if I had been good and fortunate enough to have pitched professionally, no one but no one would willingly pay to see me hack. I was such a poor hitter and hated hitting so much that my coach in American Legion, when we were way up, would occasionally fuck with me and make me pinch hit, and, of course, all my teammates would be caterwalling from the dugout when I went to the on deck circle. Bastards had too much fun at my expense, but it was great for team morale, not that it was ever a problem because it wasn't. That team was undefeated two years in a row.

I was the same way. Couldn't give 2 shits about hitting. Just wanted to be on that mound. Still don't care about hitting in my sunday league and am very happy to have a DH when I pitch.

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[drew corleone]

I know I’m probably in the minority, but I’ve grown to love the DH. I never want to see another pitcher hit.

This is where I am as well. And I'd love to see it start this year. Every time the Astros play an NL team on the road I see the lineups posted and grumble about having to watch pitchers hit.

[BUWebguy]

Set a reduced amount of ad time in a game and raise the prices for it accordingly.

This.

[subnuclear]

Stop going to fucking commercials every time there is a hint of a break in the action and the game'll tighten up. Set a reduced amount of ad time in a game and raise the prices for it accordingly.

People who measures these things, say there has been insignificant increase in commercial time since the 80s. The actual game is taking about 30 minutes longer on average.

Grant Brisbee's comparison (which I've posted before) is the most interesting, but doesn't give a clear answer.

[subnuclear]

I guess I'm the only person in the known universe that loves mound visits. \

I think people will miss mound visits when they are gone.

[BudGirl]

I think people will miss mound visits when they are gone.

because they need bathroom breaks?

[Jacksonian]

People who measures these things, say there has been insignificant increase in commercial time since the 80s. The actual game is taking about 30 minutes longer on average.

Grant Brisbee's comparison (which I've posted before) is the most interesting, but doesn't give a clear answer.

Well, he really does.  Time between pitches where nothing happened was 2/3 of the entire difference between the two game times.

[JimR]

I think people will miss mound visits when they are gone.

I do not know about missing them, but they often are necessary.

[subnuclear]

because they need bathroom breaks?

That and occasionally they can be pretty dramatic.

[subnuclear]

Well, he really does.  Time between pitches where nothing happened was 2/3 of the entire difference between the two game times.

Yes, he's clearer about it now that I re-read it.

[TerryPuhl21]

I have no problem with any of those proposals except expanding rosters to 26, and even that is a minor thing.

I would also just ban mound visits entirely.

I wouldn’t ban them entirely, but I could live with allowing them only when.....

1. Actually making a pitching change
2. The other team inserts a pinch hitter. One visit then allowed before first pitch thrown to the pinch hitter.

Other than that, I wouldn’t see a real issue with ditching them.


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[Fredia]

I see and agree with most of what is on this thread.. but I do think back fondly on a few good pitchers who actually got in a few good swings.   the game she is a changing

[Bench]

People who measures these things, say there has been insignificant increase in commercial time since the 80s. The actual game is taking about 30 minutes longer on average.

Grant Brisbee's comparison (which I've posted before) is the most interesting, but doesn't give a clear answer.

Every pitch takes longer. That seems to be the main culprit to me.

[SoonerJim]

Just reported via Ken Rosenthal that the players association has requested that the DH be implemented league wide before the start of the upcoming 2019 season. It was part of proposed changes exchanged between the MLBPA and MLB in January. The league wants a 3 batter minimum for relief pitchers when pitching changes are made.


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Universal dh? That’s nice. Does McCullers get his 2019 season back?

[Ty in Tampa]

More of this.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I can go either way on the DH, but I really dislike the three batter minimum. I got no problem with mound visits being limited to 3 per game. I like baseball game management and strategy but that is hurt by the inconsistency of one league having a DH and the other not, and it would be hurt by imposing batters faced minimums.

If saving time is a priority then they do need a 18 to 20 second pitch clock and a rule to keep batters in the box.

[Mr. Happy]

I can go either way on the DH, but I really dislike the three batter minimum. I got no problem with mound visits being limited to 3 per game. I like baseball game management and strategy but that is hurt by the inconsistency of one league having a DH and the other not, and it would be hurt by imposing batters faced minimums.

If saving time is a priority then they do need a 18 to 20 second pitch clock and a rule to keep batters in the box.

I think that the three batter minimum is going to improve rosters. There will no longer be a roster spot for a left-handed relief specialist. I never have had much use for pitchers who couldn't get hitters from both sides of the plate out. I hate those lefty specialists that right-handed hitters murder. Let's face it: you know the lefty I'm talking about because there are several of them in the baseball. They throw 85-90 heaters and sweeping sliders. Every fucking one of them. If they weren't lefties, they'd be selling cars.
+

[doyce7]

I can get on board with 3 batter minimum but I'd like for it to be 3 batters or the end of an inning. I can see a situation in the NL where you bring a guy in to get out of a jam and he gets the last out, in the next half inning his team is rallying and he's due up. Can you pull him even if he hasn't faced 3 batters?

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[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I think that the three batter minimum is going to improve rosters. There will no longer be a roster spot for a left-handed relief specialist. I never have had much use for pitchers who couldn't get hitters from both sides of the plate out. I hate those lefty specialists that right-handed hitters murder. Let's face it: you know the lefty I'm talking about because there are several of them in the baseball. They throw 85-90 heaters and sweeping sliders. Every fucking one of them. If they weren't lefties, they'd be selling cars.
+

Let's pretend Devo comes into a game with the Astros up 6 - 1 in the top of the 8th to relieve Peacock who has just loaded the bases with no outs. Devo throws three balls and then gives up a grand slam to make the score 6-5. Next batter hits a rope to LF for a single. Then Hinch says to no one in particular, "Damn, Osuna hasn't pitched in three days and is ready to go. Too bad Devo has to face another batter before I can make a change." 

That is not the kind of magerial handcuffing I want to see.

[moriartp]

Let's pretend Devo comes into a game with the Astros up 6 - 1 in the top of the 8th to relieve Peacock who has just loaded the bases with no outs. Devo throws three balls and then gives up a grand slam to make the score 6-5. Next batter hits a rope to LF for a single. Then Hinch says to no one in particular, "Damn, Osuna hasn't pitched in three days and is ready to go. Too bad Devo has to face another batter before I can make a change." 

That is not the kind of magerial handcuffing I want to see.

On the other hand, it forces a different strategic decision: do you go straight to Osuna instead of Devo, knowing the stakes are raised by the 3-batter minimum?

[JimR]

I think that the three batter minimum is going to improve rosters. There will no longer be a roster spot for a left-handed relief specialist. I never have had much use for pitchers who couldn't get hitters from both sides of the plate out. I hate those lefty specialists that right-handed hitters murder. Let's face it: you know the lefty I'm talking about because there are several of them in the baseball. They throw 85-90 heaters and sweeping sliders. Every fucking one of them. If they weren't lefties, they'd be selling cars.
+

Ugh. No, no, no to three batter minimum.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

On the other hand, it forces a different strategic decision: do you go straight to Osuna instead of Devo, knowing the stakes are raised by the 3-batter minimum?

It doesn't matter. Pretend it's the other way around with Osuna and Devo. Having to make that kind of choice is more of a crapshoot than a strategy.

[Mr. Happy]

Let's pretend Devo comes into a game with the Astros up 6 - 1 in the top of the 8th to relieve Peacock who has just loaded the bases with no outs. Devo throws three balls and then gives up a grand slam to make the score 6-5. Next batter hits a rope to LF for a single. Then Hinch says to no one in particular, "Damn, Osuna hasn't pitched in three days and is ready to go. Too bad Devo has to face another batter before I can make a change." 

That is not the kind of magerial handcuffing I want to see.

I hear you. Maybe two batters would be better. Like a two drink minimum on Bourbon Street.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Let's pretend Devo comes into a game with the Astros up 6 - 1 in the top of the 8th to relieve Peacock who has just loaded the bases with no outs. Devo throws three balls and then gives up a grand slam to make the score 6-5. Next batter hits a rope to LF for a single. Then Hinch says to no one in particular, "Damn, Osuna hasn't pitched in three days and is ready to go. Too bad Devo has to face another batter before I can make a change." 

That is not the kind of magerial handcuffing I want to see.

Agree.

Limit the warmup pitches on the subsequent relievers.

Let catcher visits count as 1 of the 2 visits that necessitate a change.

In that scenario above you'll see a lot of phantom injuries that will bog things down even more.

[drew corleone]

The Power Alley guys were discussing this topic during this morning's show and they seemed to think that the minimum batter rule would only apply to during an inning, and managers would be free to make a change between frames.

[jbm]

Well, he really does.  Time between pitches where nothing happened was 2/3 of the entire difference between the two game times.

To me, if MLB feels compelled to do something, a pitch clock is the obvious place to start.  If I've recorded the game, what do I do to condense it?  Fast forward between pitches.

Boswell in the Wapo today was talking about the extra-inning, runner on 2nd rule and acting as if it were on the table.  I didn't see that in Nate's list.  Is it really on the table?  Definitely the stupidest proposal I've heard.

[Waldo]

Boswell in the Wapo today was talking about the extra-inning, runner on 2nd rule and acting as if it were on the table.  I didn't see that in Nate's list.  Is it really on the table?  Definitely the stupidest proposal I've heard.

Only in spring training and the ASG, not regular/postseason.

[subnuclear]

To me, if MLB feels compelled to do something, a pitch clock is the obvious place to start.  If I've recorded the game, what do I do to condense it?  Fast forward between pitches.

The first rule here I think was sort of implemented a couple of seasons ago and then was dropped. If you have a pitching clock (or just the ump nudging the pitcher along) then you also have to have something for the hitter. 
https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2015/2/20/8077537/baseball-new-rule-changes-pace-of-play-instant-replay

Also, some sort of communication device between pitcher and catcher might be thought about.

[Noe]

The first rule here I think was sort of implemented a couple of seasons ago and then was dropped. If you have a pitching clock (or just the ump nudging the pitcher along) then you also have to have something for the hitter. 
https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2015/2/20/8077537/baseball-new-rule-changes-pace-of-play-instant-replay

Also, some sort of communication device between pitcher and catcher might be thought about.

Do you remember Mike Hargrove, the Human Rain Delay? He would be turning over in his grave at this and he's not even dead yet.  But actually, what goes into the process a hitter takes into the batter's box is both his approach to hitting and his ability to adjust to what the pitcher is doing. Right now, to amplify that ability is the use of playback systems (video) in the walkway or room near the clubhouse leading to the dugout. It's a keen resource given how hard pitchers throw nowadays and how many of them can command the strikezone (the last part is key) with a variety of pitches beyond just a good ol' country fastball.

So that ability to adjust is what you're seeing when you see a batter like Altuve step out of the box and adjust his batting glove and helmet. He's thinking what the pitcher is trying to do to get him out. When you see Altuve reach out on a pitch that is a foot outside the box and dink it into right is the outcome of having a good idea of what the pitcher is probably thinking he needs to do with the next pitch. Altuve is ready and willing to adjust his swing. He has the great hands to do that too. Hence why Altuve is a batting champion too.

I understand the need to speed up the game, I really do. At the expense of making hitters like Altuve to step in the box without his chance to regroup and think a little? Okay, maybe... but I've seen many a good hitter doing the step out and come back into the box and they are 100% ready to hit because they're thinking and as Yogi said, playing baseball is 90% physical and the other half is mental. I dunno if you want to hinder baseball acumen from a hitter or pitcher by having to rush them through their process to succeed.

Just my dos centavos.

[MusicMan]

In major changes, the Disabled List will now be called the Injured List.


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[jbm]

The first rule here I think was sort of implemented a couple of seasons ago and then was dropped. If you have a pitching clock (or just the ump nudging the pitcher along) then you also have to have something for the hitter. 
https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2015/2/20/8077537/baseball-new-rule-changes-pace-of-play-instant-replay

Also, some sort of communication device between pitcher and catcher might be thought about.

They can text back and forth.

I agree that the umps will have to deal with batters by just calling the pitch as thrown, whether the batter is ready or not.  Like slow pitchers, batters doing their glove stuff between every pitch will have to adjust.

[JimR]

I hate all this stuff. If the games are too long for you, don’t watch.

[Fredia]

so agree,   keep the game as it is  and bring on innings..    and  kinda  and aside so many people come to games and live on their phones or  whatever devices..

[subnuclear]

They can text back and forth.

Verlander suggested some sort of microphone and ear piece.

[Fredia]

then when the wifi  went out or the device did not  function...delay of game

[jbm]

Verlander suggested some sort of microphone and ear piece.

I laughed cause I first thought it would be from the catcher to the pitcher. “Fastball, high and tight.” 

I guess this is for shake offs. 

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I hate all this stuff. If the games are too long for you, don’t watch.

They're "fixing" things that won't bring in new fans.

I understand throwing stuff against the wall to see if it sticks,  but Manfred's approach seems to be to drop napalm on the walls and see if anybody tunes in.

[juliogotay]

They're "fixing" things that won't bring in new fans.

I understand throwing stuff against the wall to see if it sticks,  but Manfred's approach seems to be to drop napalm on the walls and see if anybody tunes in.

Manfred doesn't impress me.

[VirtualBob]

Just my dos centavos.

I think we all got a pretty good exchange rate on that post.  Thanks for taking the time.

[TerryPuhl21]

They're "fixing" things that won't bring in new fans.

I understand throwing stuff against the wall to see if it sticks,  but Manfred's approach seems to be to drop napalm on the walls and see if anybody tunes in.

I heard someone say yesterday that they need to find a way to bring back the steroid era without the steroids. Probably right, but how to do it??

This crap about relievers having to pitch to 3 batters before changing is almost laughable. That would seriously harm the game in my opinion and lead to pitchers faking injuries in big spots just to get off the field. Can’t police that unless you require a reliever who gets hurt and doesn’t face the required batters to go on the 15 day DL. You can’t do that, so ditch this dumb idea.

Now, I actually don’t have an issue with tweaking the mound some. That has been done before so the precedent there has been set. I think backing the mound up from 60 foot 6 to say 60 foot 11, would have a minimal impact on pitchers arms and would give batters in this day of 100 mph fastballs a millisecond more to see the pitch. I think batting averages go up (along with pace of play and action) and that extra 5 inches of distance may help pitchers’ reaction times on line drives back to them. It benefits both sides.


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[moriartp]

I heard someone say yesterday that they need to find a way to bring back the steroid era without the steroids. Probably right, but how to do it??

They juiced the ball instead of the players.

[juliogotay]

Just leave the fucking game alone. Let the players play.

[JimR]

Just leave the fucking game alone. Let the players play.

This

[TerryPuhl21]

Just leave the fucking game alone. Let the players play.

Except for the DH, I agree with this. But both leagues need to play by the same rules please.


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[Mr. Happy]

Just leave the fucking game alone. Let the players play.

+1

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Just leave the fucking game alone. Let the players play.

I agree but stepping in and out of the batters box 7 times per at bat is more fucking around or stalling than actually playing the game. I understand the mental aspect of stalling but it delays the action, and it has increased over the years. Same as taking 25 to 35 seconds to pitch a ball. Stalling ain't playing.

[Bench]

I agree but stepping in and out of the batters box 7 times per at bat is more fucking around or stalling than actually playing the game. I understand the mental aspect of stalling but it delays the action, and it has increased over the years. Same as taking 25 to 35 seconds to pitch a ball. Stalling ain't playing.

This.  That each pitch takes longer than it used to is on both the pitcher and the batter.

[subnuclear]

They're "fixing" things that won't bring in new fans.

I understand throwing stuff against the wall to see if it sticks,  but Manfred's approach seems to be to drop napalm on the walls and see if anybody tunes in.

I think they are trying to get people to not just watch the TV broadcasts, but to watch more of the TV broadcasts, whether they be old fans, new fans or casual fans. I bet some of this is prompted by advertisers.

And remember that they did change the rules for batters a few years ago and it did speed up the game (by about 5 minutes). The players had it changed back. But I don't think most people noticed either way.

[subnuclear]

I understand the need to speed up the game, I really do. At the expense of making hitters like Altuve to step in the box without his chance to regroup and think a little? Okay, maybe... but I've seen many a good hitter doing the step out and come back into the box and they are 100% ready to hit because they're thinking and as Yogi said, playing baseball is 90% physical and the other half is mental. I dunno if you want to hinder baseball acumen from a hitter or pitcher by having to rush them through their process to succeed.

Just my dos centavos.

This is good, but maybe not the best example. Altuve has his routine, but he is always up there ready to hit. Marwin pacing behind the ump, while it may help him, is probably an example of the behavior MLB is trying to discourage.

I also think your point about player's getting more information these days (both pitchers and batters) during the at-bat and that may have led to the drift.

[das]

I hate all this stuff. If the games are too long for you, don’t watch.

I agree.  I like the length of the game, the pace of play and the challenging cerebral escape.  The acute moments of action and the more demure parts as well are some of the things that makes the game enjoyable, especially when shared with friends/other fans.  There's room in there to grab a beer, dissect a part of the action (both mentally and verbally), jump up and scream wildly and everything in between.  Don't try to make this football or basketball.  Don't pander to the 21st century micro-attention span mind.  Let that 21st century mind find a home, a safe place to recover in the more thoughtful spaces and pace baseball provides.

From a business perspective, revenues, profits and values are at historical highs.  What in gods name are they trying to fix?

[Noe]

I agree but stepping in and out of the batters box 7 times per at bat is more fucking around or stalling than actually playing the game. I understand the mental aspect of stalling but it delays the action, and it has increased over the years. Same as taking 25 to 35 seconds to pitch a ball. Stalling ain't playing.

Well, this isn't the NBA and therein the need for a 24 second shot clock. Or the NFL with the 35 second clock to run a play. Those two leagues are made for high scoring offense play. Rarely do you see an NBA player really care to play defense every play. A 20 point lead can easily be made-up in the time allotted because the other team has the shot clock ruling their play as well.

The MLB is not like those other entertainment venues. The defense initiates the play, not the offense. The defense is supposed to make three plays to keep the other team from scoring. In the span of those three plays, the offense has to round through four bases to score one single solitary point. So given those parameters, the offense and defense play by methods to maximize each effort. No taking time off in any single play because one single solitary play can cause you to lose or change your approach on either offense or defense. That isn't the same strategically what shot-clock ruled sports have to deal with. I'm not entirely sure what the MLB is trying to cure in such a case by hinting at shot-clock parameters. It goes contrary to the objectives employed on defense and offense in the game.

Is the objective just to make the MLB more NBA or NFL-like? If so, why?

[subnuclear]

The goal is not to make it like the NBA, it's to make the pace the same as 1980s baseball.

[Noe]

This is good, but maybe not the best example. Altuve has his routine, but he is always up there ready to hit. Marwin pacing behind the ump, while it may help him, is probably an example of the behavior MLB is trying to discourage.

I also think your point about player's getting more information these days (both pitchers and batters) during the at-bat and that may have led to the drift.

Altuve and Gonzales are just some of many of the MLB players today who step out because it is the toughest thing to do in any sport... hit a round ball with a round bat. You want the players to not step out, then let them play t-ball, that will speed up the game! Just kidding of course because nobody wants that, but...

Apporach and adjustment is the calling card for every MLB hitter because they know without the adjustment during an AB, they will be hindered in their craft of hitting a thrown ball. They only have that as what they can control. The pitcher has all the control (along with the catcher) to control each and every play. I can't see why any MLB player would allow themselves to be hindered in the adjustment strategy that has been the staple of baseball for a very long time. There is a reason I would constantly hear my coaches yell "NOE, NOE... step out... step out!" I knew what they were saying, they wanted me to not allow the pitcher to rush the play on me.

[Noe]

The goal is not to make it like the NBA, it's to make the pace the same as 1980s baseball.

I guess I missed it. I thought there was talk about a clock. If so, don't remember a shot-clock-like approach to play in the 1980s.

[Lefty]

If you want the game to continue to decline in popularity, change nothing.  If you want the game to morph into something unrecognizable, change a whole bunch of stuff.  There has to be some middle ground.

I just don't see the problem with a pitch clock at all, with some leeway in certain situations (ball fouled off foot, batter brushed back, etc...), not like the NBA shot clock at all, where if the red light goes off it's immediately a ball, but I've been to several RR games and I actually didn't notice it at all...the batters stayed at the box, the pitchers stayed near the rubber, then they got back after it.

[TerryPuhl21]

If you want the game to continue to decline in popularity, change nothing.  If you want the game to morph into something unrecognizable, change a whole bunch of stuff.  There has to be some middle ground.

I just don't see the problem with a pitch clock at all, with some leeway in certain situations (ball fouled off foot, batter brushed back, etc...), not like the NBA shot clock at all, where if the red light goes off it's immediately a ball, but I've been to several RR games and I actually didn't notice it at all...the batters stayed at the box, the pitchers stayed near the rubber, then they got back after it.

Agree Lefty. I think most of us on here are fine with the game like it is, but those like us are declining in number. For the overall health of the game going forward, some things are inevitably going to have to be tweaked. Like it or not.


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[moriartp]

Manfred says they'll wait until the next CBA to decide on bringing the DH to the NL. So 2022 at the earliest.

[subnuclear]

There might be reasonable reasons for the slower pace (for instance, Verlander said complex interactions with the catcher due to teams using cameras to steal signs), I don't know. But I haven't heard many.

The pitch clock is drastic, so I agree they should avoid it. But giving the umps and players some guidance to keeps things moving, I don't see the problem with that.

[Noe]

If you want the game to continue to decline in popularity, change nothing.  If you want the game to morph into something unrecognizable, change a whole bunch of stuff.  There has to be some middle ground.

I just don't see the problem with a pitch clock at all, with some leeway in certain situations (ball fouled off foot, batter brushed back, etc...), not like the NBA shot clock at all, where if the red light goes off it's immediately a ball, but I've been to several RR games and I actually didn't notice it at all...the batters stayed at the box, the pitchers stayed near the rubber, then they got back after it.

Agree with the sentiment actually. I just am a bit weary to hand yet another bit of the game to umpires to enforce rules. Not sure what the penalty will be for a pitcher ("a ball is called") or a hitter ("a strike is called"), but sure as we are sitting here debating it, when the actual incident occurs where an umpire and not the player affects the outcome of a crucial game with the enforcement of a clock violation, we're all going to scream bloody murder.

One good thing though, Joe West retired so one less umpire pushing himself into the game's outcome for sure.

[Noe]

There might be reasonable reasons for the slower pace (for instance, Verlander said complex interactions with the catcher due to teams using cameras to steal signs), I don't know. But I haven't heard many.

The pitch clock is drastic, so I agree they should avoid it. But giving the umps and players some guidance to keeps things moving, I don't see the problem with that.

I would agree with something along these lines. "Hurry up batter, I have a dinner date and I don't want to be late... get in the box!" Said by no umpire ever. I think reasonable minds could come up with working guidelines for sure.

BTW - just thinking out of the box a littlle (because I'm weird that way), can another concern with the growing use of resources by hitters be the reason the managers of today (the  younger ones like Hinch, Roberts, et. al.) bring into the game the change in strategic use of pitchers. Meaning, think back to Roberts lifting Hill during the World Series in 2017. He held the Astros to one hit for five innings, but Roberts didn't care, he was not going to allow the Astros to have a third look at Hill. Roberts knows well what major league hitters do to adjust nowadays, so Roberts opted for bullpen use for four innings instead. That lead to the classic game 2 where Roberts decided to use his closer early in the 8th to get the remaining outs. The Astros won in extra innings because Roberts and Hinch managed to exhaust all they had to keep hitters at bay. It was still a 6-5 win for Houston. But that was strategic use of pitchers and that meant a very long game that was not boring the last five innings, but perhaps just a tad long before that because of all the changes.

Fast forward to 2018 and now managers (again younger ones and a bit more progressive) are using was they call "an opener" including using such strategies in crucial playoff games. Milwaukee's Counsel did it best, Melvin in Oakland not as well. But the idea, as I see it, is to keep hitters at bay with what they do to prepare to face a "starter" and adjust during the game with the resources at hand. The promise by some of these managers is more use of this strategy because that's how good hitters are becoming at adjustments.

Me wonders if the MLB sees regular season games becoming more and more the training ground to continue to use this strategy and thus you're going to have more and more longer games with the parade of pitchers and the counter-moves by hitters to adjust in the AB. It's one thing to prepare to face, for instance, James Paxton three times in a game, it's another thing to prepare to face multiple pitchers one time for an entire game. I can see where the moves and counter moves will in fact increase the time to complete a nine inning game is such cases.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

One good thing though, Joe West retired so one less umpire pushing himself into the game's outcome for sure.

Really?   Source please.   I looked and couldn't find an announcement.

[Lefty]

Also, I thought most of us kind of baseball fans like it when pitchers don't dick around and work quickly?  Batters too.

[Noe]

Really?   Source please.   I looked and couldn't find an announcement.

Damn, wishful thinking on my part: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/02/21/4-new-umps-as-hirschbeck-welke-davidson-joyce-retire/98224326/

Balkin' Bob Davidson is gone though.

[Noe]

Also, I thought most of us kind of baseball fans like it when pitchers don't dick around and work quickly?  Batters too.

Pitchers love to work quickly. They would love it if a hitter would step in the box and never step out. They already have a plan what they want to do. They have the ball. You'd really see a quick game if pitchers were allowed to just start every play quickly. But you'd see hitters start to lose prowess hitting against the pitchers who throw hard and spot pitches well. It would be equivalent to the days the mound was higher, the stadiums were cookie-cutter dimensions that helped pitchers and the best hitters in the league were .260 hitters with less than 20 home runs per season.

[Lefty]

Pitchers love to work quickly. They would love it if a hitter would step in the box and never step out. They already have a plan what they want to do. They have the ball. You'd really see a quick game if pitchers were allowed to just start every play quickly. But you'd see hitters start to lose prowess hitting against the pitchers who throw hard and spot pitches well. It would be equivalent to the days the mound was higher, the stadiums were cookie-cutter dimensions that helped pitchers and the best hitters in the league were .260 hitters with less than 20 home runs per season.

I dunno, I think you'd see the hitters adjust, especially now the youngsters coming up who are already used to these rules in HS/college/MiLB, to not needing 30 seconds or more to take a stroll and then do their OCD routine of 7 velcro adjustments, 3 taps to the cleats, 5 batting helmet tweaks and drawing various hieroglyphics in the dirt between every pitch.

[TerryPuhl21]

Manfred says they'll wait until the next CBA to decide on bringing the DH to the NL. So 2022 at the earliest.

Yeah, I just read that.....and it is fucking disappointing. Let’s just continue to taint our game by having leagues play by different rules. Use the DH or don’t, but do it in both leagues.

What a joke.




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[Astros Fan in Big D]

One thing that bothers me the most about "rescuing" the poor hitters against those dastardly pitchers and shifted defenses:
The hitters have VOLUNTARILY shifted toward the boom or bust, 'true outcomes' (vomit) approach.

Want more balls in play?   Make fucking contact.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Yeah, I just read that.....and it is fucking disappointing. Let’s just continue to taint our game by having leagues play by different rules. Use the DH or don’t, but do it in both leagues.

What a joke.


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Well that particular joke is approaching half a century so there's no rush.

[MusicMan]

Well that particular joke is approaching half a century so there's no rush.

Joke half a century old?

Coach, we need verification on this.


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[Noe]

I dunno, I think you'd see the hitters adjust, especially now the youngsters coming up who are already used to these rules in HS/college/MiLB, to not needing 30 seconds or more to take a stroll and then do their OCD routine of 7 velcro adjustments, 3 taps to the cleats, 5 batting helmet tweaks and drawing various hieroglyphics in the dirt between every pitch.

Good point.  Facing major league pitching is a little different than even the minor leagues though. But you know what, they can do anything they want to the league, no one can stop them if what they want is a fast-paced game, then they should do it. The outcome will be what tells them if they were wrong or right in changing how the major league (not minor or high school) game is played. If they're going to do it, I hope they're right.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Is the objective just to make the MLB more NBA or NFL-like?

No. If any unnecessary comparisons to other sports are to be made I would think the objective is to make baseball less like the sports of cricket or golf.

[Noe]

No. If any unnecessary comparisons to other sports are to be made I would think the objective is to make baseball less like the sports of cricket or golf.

Fair enough, just checking. We agree to disagree that the pace of the game is too slow, mainly because of the way pitchers and hitters will employ delay tactics.  Yes?

[Jacksonian]

Joke half a century old?

Coach, we need verification on this.


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New tangled things are not his forte.

[Lefty]

Fair enough, just checking. We agree to disagree that the pace of the game is too slow, mainly because of the way pitchers and hitters will employ delay tactics.  Yes?

Just to be clear:  I don't really care about pitching changes, time between pitches, mound visits or whatever.  I'm going to watch regardless.  What MLB is concerned with is keeping the viewing/attending audience excited about the game, and growing new fans.  We should all be concerned with that, and if they think some minor changes can help then I'm all for trying them out.

I thought I would absolutely hate the DH and the AL...I like both.

If they start banning shifts or putting ghost runners on, etc, those to me are major changes that I'm not amenable to.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Fair enough, just checking. We agree to disagree that the pace of the game is too slow, mainly because of the way pitchers and hitters will employ delay tactics.  Yes?

I am not complaining about the pace of games, the game is fine as far as I'm concerned. In fact we're in agreement about the contemplative nature of stalling. I am attempting to understand why games are longer now than in the past and it has nothing to do with the ball in play but totally with the inaction between plays. So if the game times are to be shortened it has to be by attempting to speed up the lull between the action.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Just to be clear:  I don't really care about pitching changes, time between pitches, mound visits or whatever.  I'm going to watch regardless.  What MLB is concerned with is keeping the viewing/attending audience excited about the game, and growing new fans.  We should all be concerned with that, and if they think some minor changes can help then I'm all for trying them out.

I thought I would absolutely hate the DH and the AL...I like both.

If they start banning shifts or putting ghost runners on, etc, those to me are major changes that I'm not amenable to.

Agree that growing the fan base should be a priority for MLB.

The suggested/reported changes to the mound,  plate to rubber distance,  and 3 batter minimum smack of focus group driven decision making, which is fine if we think the future depicted in Idiocracy was utopian.

Now what time does Fuddrucker's open?

[JimR]

New tangled things are not his forte.

Old Man jokes never get old, do they?

[Mr. Happy]

Old Man jokes never get old, do they?

Fortunately, no. And you're such a great spirit about them.

[Noe]

I am not complaining about the pace of games, the game is fine as far as I'm concerned. In fact we're in agreement about the contemplative nature of stalling. I am attempting to understand why games are longer now than in the past and it has nothing to do with the ball in play but totally with the inaction between plays. So if the game times are to be shortened it has to be by attempting to speed up the lull between the action.

Cool, me understand better now. Of course, smarter people than me (which is a lot of people) will figure out the nuances to speeding up games. But with these new progressive managers employing tactics to win, that requires time to implement during in-game play. Seems the league is on to these managers and wants to address the issue of the time it takes to do all your shifting, mound visits, hitter resources, et. al. that is adding to having more 3 hour games than 2 hour games.

The irony to me is in the last two World Series, the most thrilling games were the ones that were breaking the records for longest played games in the playoffs. These new progressive managers work during in-game progress much more than ever before.

[David in Jackson]

Last year, the minors started the 10th inning with a runner on second base.  I thought I would hate it but really liked it.

I would not be in favor, however, of using this for minor league playoff games or in any way in the majors. 

I'm for the other changes to speed up the pace of play.

[jbm]

Last year, the minors started the 10th inning with a runner on second base.  I thought I would hate it but really liked it.

I would not be in favor, however, of using this for minor league playoff games or in any way in the majors. 

I'm for the other changes to speed up the pace of play.

I had no idea.  Saw a few minor league games, but no extra innings.  Can you use anyone, or are the eligibility rules like regular pinch-runner rules?

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Isn't it true that a pitcher already is only allowed 35 seconds to pitch, and that beyond that it can be automatically declared a ball? I understand that this is one of those blue laws that is never enforced, but the idea is sound and there's a basis for a pitch clock. All the other ideas strike me as insane.

[TerryPuhl21]

Isn't it true that a pitcher already is only allowed 35 seconds to pitch, and that beyond that it can be automatically declared a ball? I understand that this is one of those blue laws that is never enforced, but the idea is sound and there's a basis for a pitch clock. All the other ideas strike me as insane.

Knox, I’m not sure about 35 seconds, but I have heard that yes, there is a current time limit on the books that umpires never enforce.


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[VirtualBob]

I had no idea.  Saw a few minor league games, but no extra innings.  Can you use anyone, or are the eligibility rules like regular pinch-runner rules?

It is the inning’s leadoff batter.

[Nate Colbert]

It is the inning’s leadoff batter.

No, it's the prior inning's final batter.

[VirtualBob]

No, it's the prior inning's final batter.

Is that a change? I did not think I was asleep while scoring. But maybe I was.

[jbm]

No, it's the prior inning's final batter.

I didn't think the idea could get any stupider, but it has.  Just makes it a luck of the draw thing.

[Waldo]

I didn't think the idea could get any stupider, but it has.  Just makes it a luck of the draw thing.

Within the framework of the idea, though, using the previous inning's last batter makes the most sense, IMO.

[Nate Colbert]

Is that a change? I did not think I was asleep while scoring. But maybe I was.

No change.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Knox, I’m not sure about 35 seconds, but I have heard that yes, there is a current time limit on the books that umpires never enforce.


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So I looked this up. Not sure at all where I was getting the 35-second number. Here's the rule:

When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within
12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this
rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.”

Rule 8.04 to 8.05
79

The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the
batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that
the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on
the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the
umpire.

I looked to see if there was similarly a set amount of time a batter had to get in the box and there isn't, they just say "promptly". They also say that, except for a list of several exceptions, batters are to keep one foot in the box the entire AB.

It seems clear to me at least that these rules are casualties of gentlemanly, collegial neglect among umpires in tandem with bloat from increased sophistication (of pitch type, sign-stealing technology, money on the line, etc.).

The Grant Brisbee piece I believe someone already linked to (https://www.sbnation.com/a/mlb-2017-season-preview/game-length) summarizes the issue brilliantly and hilariously and is well worth the full read.

So why not just give these rules some teeth? Make the batter stay in the box again and change the rule to give the pitcher fifteen or twenty seconds to deliver the pitch.

I also don't understand why the batters box initiative of 2015 was dropped so unceremoniously. It was working! It made games faster and more fun! (http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12793744/mlb-making-good-fines-pace-game-violations) Why doesn't anyone talk about rehabilitating this?

If you need to let the pitcher and catcher communicate wirelessly in order to facilitate this hastening, so be it. Sign-stealing may be historic but needn't be preserved. This would most likely also obviate the increasing proclivity of catchers to constantly visit the mount during single ABs.

[JimR]

So I looked this up. Not sure at all where I was getting the 35-second number. Here's the rule:

When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within
12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this
rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.”

Rule 8.04 to 8.05
79

The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the
batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that
the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on
the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the
umpire.

I looked to see if there was similarly a set amount of time a batter had to get in the box and there isn't, they just say "promptly". They also say that, except for a list of several exceptions, batters are to keep one foot in the box the entire AB.

It seems clear to me at least that these rules are casualties of gentlemanly, collegial neglect among umpires in tandem with bloat from increased sophistication (of pitch type, sign-stealing technology, money on the line, etc.).

The Grant Brisbee piece I believe someone already linked to (https://www.sbnation.com/a/mlb-2017-season-preview/game-length) summarizes the issue brilliantly and hilariously and is well worth the full read.

So why not just give these rules some teeth? Make the batter stay in the box again and change the rule to give the pitcher fifteen or twenty seconds to deliver the pitch.

I also don't understand why the batters box initiative of 2015 was dropped so unceremoniously. It was working! It made games faster and more fun! (http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/12793744/mlb-making-good-fines-pace-game-violations) Why doesn't anyone talk about rehabilitating this?

If you need to let the pitcher and catcher communicate wirelessly in order to facilitate this hastening, so be it. Sign-stealing may be historic but needn't be preserved. This would most likely also obviate the increasing proclivity of catchers to constantly visit the mount during single ABs.

There is nothing wrong with sign stealing with the naked eye. There also is no way to prevent it. What was wrong then and is now is using technology, from binoculars to fancy cameras, to steal signs.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Thanks for those links,  KBD.  The bleacher report article was funny/illuminating.

As for sign stealing, the ultimate solution seems to be the earpiece,  but there are details/trickle down effects that could be problematic (i.e. infielders wanting to know the pitch, ensuring good sound in noisy situations, spoken word vs beeps, who calls the pitch i.e. would more managers take this over? ).

[HudsonHawk]

Yeah, I just read that.....and it is fucking disappointing. Let’s just continue to taint our game by having leagues play by different rules. Use the DH or don’t, but do it in both leagues.

What a joke.

There is no rule change needed for the DH in the NL, the NL just has to start doing it.  It's not tied to the CBA in any way.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

There is nothing wrong with sign stealing with the naked eye. There also is no way to prevent it. What was wrong then and is now is using technology, from binoculars to fancy cameras, to steal signs.

Yeah, that's how I feel about it too. And if a chief reason for the delay between pitches is ever more abstruse signaling in order to vex high-tech theft, the earpiece seems a good fix. Put the manager, catcher and pitcher all on a party line and go from there. Try it for a year alongside the enforcement of existing batters box rules and see what you have.

[MusicMan]

There is no rule change needed for the DH in the NL, the NL just has to start doing it.  It's not tied to the CBA in any way.

Very true. But the players want it much more than the owners care about it, so it becomes a bargaining chip.

[HudsonHawk]

Very true. But the players want it much more than the owners care about it, so it becomes a bargaining chip.

Sure.  Everything is a bargaining chip.  I'm just pointing out that the change doesn't have to be collectively bargained for and it doesn't require any sort of rule change.  Teams just have to do it.

[MusicMan]

20 second pitch clock to be phased in during Spring Training


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[austro]

20 second pitch clock to be phased in during Spring Training

Only in ST, or as a prelude to full-time use in the regular season?

[MusicMan]

Only in ST, or as a prelude to full-time use in the regular season?

In ST but potentially put in place for regular season.


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[Tom Servo]

Foul Balls Are The Pace-Of-Play Problem Nobody’s Talking About

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/foul-balls-are-the-pace-of-play-problem-nobodys-talking-about/

[Ty in Tampa]

Foul Balls Are The Pace-Of-Play Problem Nobody’s Talking About

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/foul-balls-are-the-pace-of-play-problem-nobodys-talking-about/

I just came in here to post that. I sure as hell hope they don't do something stupid like limit the number of fouls per at-bat.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

I just came in here to post that. I sure as hell hope they don't do something stupid like limit the number of fouls per at-bat.

Simple solution:  after the 4th foul ball the batter is out but the batter who made the previous out gets to go to second base but he only has 20 seconds to do so.

[VirtualBob]

Foul Balls Are The Pace-Of-Play Problem Nobody’s Talking About

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/foul-balls-are-the-pace-of-play-problem-nobodys-talking-about/

Could be worse. Could be cricket.

[HudsonHawk]

I just came in here to post that. I sure as hell hope they don't do something stupid like limit the number of fouls per at-bat.

The biggest single issue with slow pace is the time between pitches.  "Get in the fucking box" is the fix for that.

[Tom Servo]

The biggest single issue with slow pace is the time between pitches.  "Get in the fucking box" is the fix for that.

Maybe outlaw batting gloves, so they don't have as many things to adjust in between pitches.

[Fredia]

some of  them have actual rituals  they go through, wonder how that will play out

[das]

I just came in here to post that. I sure as hell hope they don't do something stupid like limit the number of fouls per at-bat.

No kidding. Foul balls are not a problem, they are one of the compelling features of the game. A 10+ pitch at bat is entertainment gold to me. The pitcher with a “oh, got away with a mistake there” look or the hitter digging in and thinking “I just missed that, throw one more of those and I’m going to crush it”. High drama and quintessential baseball.

[Mr. Happy]

No kidding. Foul balls are not a problem, they are one of the compelling features of the game. A 10+ pitch at bat is entertainment gold to me. The pitcher with a “oh, got away with a mistake there” look or the hitter digging in and thinking “I just missed that, throw one more of those and I’m going to crush it”. High drama and quintessential baseball.

You're absolutely right. As a pitcher, I used to get more amped up when the number of pitches got to seven. I loved competing at that point, because, as you say, both the pitcher and the hitter have missed pitches and lived to hit another pitch.

[subnuclear]

I wouldn’t mind them creating more space for catching foul balls, if that’s the problem (as that article seem to say).

[MusicMan]

Rosenthal just tweeted that the league and players union look to be a day or two from an agreement on rules changes.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Rosenthal just tweeted that the league and players union look to be a day or two from an agreement on rules changes.

Manfred proposed postponing the pitch clock but instituting the 3-batter minimum for relievers, as well as a raft of changes re: the trade deadline, September roster size, length of IL stays and length of minor league assignments.

When I listen to him talk I think, This sounds like a reasonable guy. I can't imagine any reasonable baseball fan actually gunning for the 3-batter minimum, so I figure he must be playing chess with it. IDK, the pitch clock seems so eminently doable and helpful to me. Does it actually piss the players off that much? I wonder what percentage of Big Leaguers came up with it in the minors already.

[geezerdonk]

How about having the players wear roller skates? That would speed up the game.

[Duman]

In watching a few spring games, I have found the clock to be a nice addition.  I find I am more engaged between pitches as it gets lower in the count.  Kinda like how the play clock builds anxiety in football and basketball.  I saw no downside to it in the small sample size I observed. 

[jbm]

I've been recording a lot of pro and college baseball lately.  When pressed for time, I'll use the 30 sec jump forward between pitches.  It's amazing that in college, I might miss two pitches during the jump; in the pros, it's often times up perfectly with the next pitch. 

During rough innings, it's also got me wondering more about tempo and whether it's an effect of trouble or a cause of more trouble.  Most of the slower tempo results from signs and holding runners, but I wonder if a more conscious effort to keep the tempo up during those innings might help certain pitchers.  Kind of like offenses in football: some are just better going faster.

[Bench]

Here's a summary of experiments they'll be running in the Atlantic League:

1. Computers will call balls/strikes

2. Pitching rubber extended to 62 feet 6 inches from home plate

3. The distance between bases will be shortened by 3 inches (by increasing the size of the bases)

4. Infield defensive shifts restricted by requiring two fielders on either side of second

5. Infielders also will be prohibited from setting up on the outfield grass

6. Each pitcher must face at least three batters or complete the half-inning, unless injured.

7. Between inning breaks will be cut from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1:45.

8. Mound visits are banned, except for pitching changes or medical issues.


Plate umpires will wear earpieces and be informed of ball/strike calls by a TrackMan computer system that uses Doppler radar. Umps will have the ability to override the computer, which considers a pitch a strike when the ball bounces and then crosses the zone. TrackMan also does not evaluate check swings.

[JimR]

Fuck banning the shifts.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Fuck banning the shifts.

Fuck banning the shifts and fuck the three-batter rule.

Pushing the mound back doesn't sound crazy to me, the more I think about it. Doing that could actually end up saving lives.

[TerryPuhl21]

Here's a summary of experiments they'll be running in the Atlantic League:

1. Computers will call balls/strikes

2. Pitching rubber extended to 62 feet 6 inches from home plate

3. The distance between bases will be shortened by 3 inches (by increasing the size of the bases)

4. Infield defensive shifts restricted by requiring two fielders on either side of second

5. Infielders also will be prohibited from setting up on the outfield grass

6. Each pitcher must face at least three batters or complete the half-inning, unless injured.

7. Between inning breaks will be cut from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1:45.

8. Mound visits are banned, except for pitching changes or medical issues.


Plate umpires will wear earpieces and be informed of ball/strike calls by a TrackMan computer system that uses Doppler radar. Umps will have the ability to override the computer, which considers a pitch a strike when the ball bounces and then crosses the zone. TrackMan also does not evaluate check swings.

Number 1. I don’t have an issue with
Number 2. No. This is too drastic. Five to 8 inches would be ok.
Number 3. No.
Number 4. No.
Number 5. No.
Number 6. HELL FUCK NO!!!!!
Number 7. Yes
Number 8. YES!!! But I personally think that a mound visit should be allowed if a team sends up a pinch hitter.


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[Nate Colbert]

Here's a summary of experiments they'll be running in the Atlantic League:

1. Computers will call balls/strikes

2. Pitching rubber extended to 62 feet 6 inches from home plate

3. The distance between bases will be shortened by 3 inches (by increasing the size of the bases)

4. Infield defensive shifts restricted by requiring two fielders on either side of second

5. Infielders also will be prohibited from setting up on the outfield grass

6. Each pitcher must face at least three batters or complete the half-inning, unless injured.

7. Between inning breaks will be cut from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1:45.

8. Mound visits are banned, except for pitching changes or medical issues.


Plate umpires will wear earpieces and be informed of ball/strike calls by a TrackMan computer system that uses Doppler radar. Umps will have the ability to override the computer, which considers a pitch a strike when the ball bounces and then crosses the zone. TrackMan also does not evaluate check swings.

Looks familiar.

[Gizzmonic]

Not that anyone cares about my opinion, but:
1) Hell yes!
2) Hell no
3) Maybe from home-1st, other bases would probably cause a lot of slowdown by holding runners excessively.
4) Hell no!
5) Hell no!
6) Hell yes, but I foresee a lot of "injuries" with this one. Relief pitchers should be banned from playing for 3 days if they leave due to injury.
7) Don't care
8)Yes, with the pinch hitter exception that TerryPuhl21 mentioned

[Waldo]

6) Hell yes, but I foresee a lot of "injuries" with this one. Relief pitchers should be banned from playing for 3 days if they leave due to injury.

How about a hybrid idea: the number of batters a relief pitcher faces determines their "cool down" period.  Face three or more batters, you can pitch the next game.  Face two batters, you're inactive for the next game.  Face one batter, you're inactive for the next two games.  Injured or not, doesn't matter.  Pitchers that relieve starting pitchers are exempt from these restrictions.

This would discourage mid-inning pitching changes but not completely disallow them, and it still gives the manager the freedom to yank a gassed starter whenever he needs to without the first reliever paying the price.

[JimR]

How about leaving the game the fuck alone?

[austro]

How about we limit roster size, so that a manager has use his head to avoid over-taxing his relievers by just putting them in games willy-nilly? In other words, what we've got today.

If you want to cut down on the time due to pitching changes, make sure that relievers are warmed up before coming into the game (which they are already anyway for the most part). Two or three pitches to get a feel for the mound, and that's it. Maybe the manager has to announce his intent to the umpire on the way out, instead of standing out there 30 seconds waiting for the umpire to come out and stir things up.

[Fynn]

How about leaving the game the fuck alone?

Exactly.

[David in Jackson]

My ballot:

1. Computers will call balls/strikes.  NO

2. Pitching rubber extended to 62 feet 6 inches from home plate.  NO

3. The distance between bases will be shortened by 3 inches (by increasing the size of the bases).  NO

4. Infield defensive shifts restricted by requiring two fielders on either side of second.  NO

5. Infielders also will be prohibited from setting up on the outfield grass.  NO

6. Each pitcher must face at least three batters or complete the half-inning, unless injured.  YES

7. Between inning breaks will be cut from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1:45.  YES

8. Mound visits are banned, except for pitching changes or medical issues.  YES

The game is fine and has been for 150 years.  It just needs to be restored to the historic quicker pace of play - the current pace of play and length of games is NOT the way has been played until very recently.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

6. Each pitcher must face at least three batters or complete the half-inning, unless injured.  YES

I know I'm repeating myself, but I just don't understand why any fan of the game would support this. It is the equivalent to me of forcing football teams to run the ball as many times as they pass, or making NBA teams use a certain number of bench minutes every game. It's an artificial restraint that can only result in an inferior competition.

This all seems like so much silliness. Do the pitch clock and be done with it.

[austro]

I left off my other suggestion: bullpen trebuchets. No more waiting while those lazy relievers walk in.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm ok with time limits for any aspect of the game that creates unnecessary delay. I'd also like to see how the computers calling balls and strikes go. I'm even cool with the limited mound visits. Other than that, don't fuck with the game itself.

[BlownRanger]

If the computerized strike zone adheres strictly to the width of home plate, pitchers are in for a rude awakening.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

If the computerized strike zone adheres strictly to the width of home plate, pitchers are in for a rude awakening.

Conversely, if it adheres to the top and bottom, hitters will.

[Waldo]

Conversely, if it adheres to the top and bottom, hitters will.

Seems like an even trade to me.

[Noe]

What we did in the denial leagues is the following to speed the game up:

1. You were allowed to pinch run for a catcher with two outs in the inning. This way, the catcher could come in and put on their equipment during the inning instead of being on base and having to rush in to do so in the transition time. The pinch runner could be anyone who either isn't in the game currently, has been removed from the game officially, or is batting in a position that is not going to be in effect until later in the inning (if it goes on that long). It was strictly a courtesy to speed the inning along.

2. We had a clock for the game, meaning if we had to stop the game regardless of inning or score at exactly 2 hours of play. Often, this led to a game lasting on average 7 innings. It also led to craziest strategies for winning a game by some team captains/managers. I was involved in one such an odd situation. We were up on the other team by three runs and there was precious little time left for the clock to run out. We were starting the 7th inning and we were the visiting team. My captain told me all we had to do is to waste time and the umpire would stop the game once the 2-hour limit was exhausted. I said "But we're starting an inning, how is he (the umpire) going to call a game once an inning starts. Doesn't he have to let the other team bat?". The answer I got was that the umpires were instructed not to allow an inning to continue if the clock had exhausted. Fine, no problem. Except we had two runners on, one out and the umpire is yelling at us to send up the next hitter. That would be me. My captain, who was third base coach kept yelling at the umpire that the 2-hour limit should be done by now.  The umpire kept telling him to shut up. I step into the box and the umpire tells me if I try to use delay tactics like step out of the box, he would just have the pitcher go ahead and pitch and call everything a strike. Same for the next guy. So I take the first pitch, he calls it a strike (and it was). I take the second pitch and he calls it a strike (it was). I can't step out and I can't just take a pitch again, so the next one is right down the middle so I swing and hit a rocket back up the middle. But the shortstop is positioned right where I hit it, catches it and steps on second for an inning-ending double play. My captain is furious at me for swinging. I just grab my glove and say to him "looks like we're just going to have to win this game the old fashion way. Get them out before they can score more runs than us!". He doesn't laugh showing just how much he thought it was not funny, not even a smile. I'm playing first base and sure enough, the clock ran out but the umpire says to us as we are warming up "We're finishing this inning!". They were supposed to end the game but the umpire said no. So the other team is pumped. Our pitcher is mad, most of the other players on our team are dejected and I'm totally confused. We've been playing baseball this way for ages, what is the problem? Sure enough, the other team gets the first two men on but we quickly get the next two guys out. We're up by three and this game is about to end. But we have to go through the top of their lineup and their top four hitters are monsters. Well as you can probably figure out by now, they score four runs and the game is now over but with the other side celebrating. We had a ritual at the end of every game where the two teams slapped high fives as we went through each other's line of players. To a man, every player on the other side said to me "Thanks for swinging". I just smiled but when I turned around to go grab my stuff every player on my team had a scowl on their face directed right at me. After that season, I was not invited back to play for those guys. But I did latch on with another team. The team that beat us.

So I know no one came out to see a bunch of never-was players throw a baseball around. I know nobody would even dare pay good money to see us. But we did have quick games that lasted only two hours. But then again, why would it bother me to watch the best players in the world play the game I love in as long a time as they wanted to take. I agree they can speed up the game with some things, but be careful when you mess with the game. It just might become a farce.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Seems like an even trade to me.

Yeah. If anything probably a slight edge to the pitcher, as the low strike is hard to hit in the air and the high strike is hard to hit at all.

[Fredia]

I am not for computers calling the game,  I think it all evens out.( I am an old lady so go figure on that one)… that said I could see how the current younger players and those in the minors would be more comfortable with the computers being in charge.

[BUWebguy]

Just got the latest MLB "Fans At Bat" survey -- it's all about these possible rule changes (and others, like putting the DH in both size, roster size questions, etc.). Basically just asking do you strongly agree/disagree, somewhat agree/disagree, or not care/neutral about each possibility.

[Lefty]

No more waiver trades after the July 31 deadline.

https://theathletic.com/866252/2019/03/13/rosenthal-baseballs-confusing-trade-deadline-rule-is-about-to-change-heres-the-potential-fallout/

[moriartp]

Come gather 'round people, wherever you roam:

• 2019: No August trades (as noted above)
• 2019: All-star "election day" runoff between the top 3 vote-getters at each position
• 2019: Cash bonuses for home run derby participants ($2.5M total, $1M to the winner)
• 2020: 3-batter minimum
• 2020: 26-man rosters (limited to 28 in September)
• 2020: not yet officially determined, but sure looks like there'll be a 13 pitcher maximum (14 in September), and position players could only pitch in extra innings and or when leading or trailing by at least 7 runs

And they're going to start negotiating the next CBA early to avoid a stoppage.

[jbm]

They have probably captured when it would happen, but why the hell do they care when a position player takes the mound?

[Waldo]

• position players could only pitch in extra innings or when leading or trailing by at least 7 runs

FIFY

[moriartp]

They have probably captured when it would happen, but why the hell do they care when a position player takes the mound?

If they're eligible to pitch all the time, the pitcher limit is unenforceable because teams will just designate relievers as position players and bring them in whenever they like.

FIFY

Whoops, yes. Important correction.

[DVauthrin]

Don’t like the three-batter minimum for relievers, but otherwise, most of the changes seem sensible. 

[moriartp]

Here's the list of changes from MLB.com. In addition to the ones I mentioned above:

• 2019: Inning breaks for local games shortened from 2:05 to 2:00, national games from 2:25 to 2:00
• 2019: Mound visits reduced from 6 to 5
• 2019: If the All-Star Game goes into extras, each extra inning will start with a runner on 2B
• 2020: Aside from extra innings or blowouts, certain designated two-way players will be eligible to bat and pitch:
  
  • "A player can only qualify for this designation if he accrues at least 20 Major League innings pitched and at least 20 Major League games started as a position player or designated hitter (with at least three plate appearances in each of those games) in either the current or the prior season."
• 2020: Minimum time off the roster for optioned or injured players extended from 10 days to 15 days (this one is basically "fuck you, Dodgers")

My first thought is the Angels might have to rush Ohtani back to the mound to qualify him as a two-way guy for 2020 unless MLB makes an exception.

[Bench]

• 2019: Inning breaks for local games shortened from 2:05 to 2:00, national games from 2:25 to 2:00

Well that's 1.5 to 7 minutes saved right there. Problem solved.

• 2019: Mound visits reduced from 6 to 5

Fine.

• 2019: If the All-Star Game goes into extras, each extra inning will start with a runner on 2B

Fine.

• 2020: Aside from extra innings or blowouts, certain designated two-way players will be eligible to bat and pitch:
  
  • "A player can only qualify for this designation if he accrues at least 20 Major League innings pitched and at least 20 Major League games started as a position player or designated hitter (with at least three plate appearances in each of those games) in either the current or the prior season."

Whatever.

• 2020: Minimum time off the roster for optioned or injured players extended from 10 days to 15 days (this one is basically "fuck you, Dodgers")

Fine.

[NeilT]

As an experiment, I'm interested in seeing how the computerized strike zone works out.

[Noe]

As an experiment, I'm interested in seeing how the computerized strike zone works out.

I'd like to see the first argument between the hitter and the robot umpire on a strike call. My understanding is the umpire will wear an earpiece and when they hear a "beep", that's HAL telling them it's a strike. The first guy that strikes out on a letter-high strike gets the honor to argue.

[Fredia]

wonder if his name will be Dave?

[Astros Fan in Big D]

Don’t like the three-batter minimum for relievers, but otherwise, most of the changes seem sensible.

3 batter minimum or the end of an inning?

i.e. does a guy who gets the last 2 outs of the 7th have to face 1 batter in the 8th?

[juliogotay]

3 batter minimum or the end of an inning?

i.e. does a guy who gets the last 2 outs of the 7th have to face 1 batter in the 8th?

Interesting question. What if pitcher faced two guys to get out the inning in a NL game and was due to bat in the next half-inning?  I suppose that would require a double-switch if it were a close ballgame.

[doyce7]

3 batter minimum or the end of an inning?

i.e. does a guy who gets the last 2 outs of the 7th have to face 1 batter in the 8th?

Interesting question. What if pitcher faced two guys to get out the inning in a NL game and was due to bat in the next half-inning?  I suppose that would require a double-switch if it were a close ballgame.

3 batters or the end of a half inning is the way the rule is written

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[TerryPuhl21]

Don’t like the three-batter minimum for relievers, but otherwise, most of the changes seem sensible.

I am fucking pissed about this three batter minimum rule. We seriously need to start some type of organized protest to get this changed.


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[TerryPuhl21]

3 batters or the end of a half inning is the way the rule is written

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If there is a runner on base with nobody out in the eighth and the Yankees bring in Betances to pitch, and he gets the first two outs and then the Red Sox send up Deavors to pinch hit and he hits a homerun while Chapman is standing there ready to go watching from the bullpen mound, Yankee fans will burn the fucking stadium down. And they should.


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[Bench]

If there is a runner on base with nobody out in the eighth and the Yankees bring in Betances to pitch, and he gets the first two outs and then the Red Sox send up Deavors to pinch hit and he hits a homerun while Chapman is standing there ready to go watching from the bullpen mound, Yankee fans will burn the fucking stadium down. And they should.

All of that sounds like a lot of fun to me.

[TerryPuhl21]

All of that sounds like a lot of fun to me.

Well, it won’t be fun if it happens to us and Osuna is the one ready to go standing in the bullpen watching.


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[moriartp]

Well, it won’t be fun if it happens to us and Osuna is the one ready to go standing in the bullpen watching.


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Then I’ll be mad Pressly didn’t make his pitch, not that Osuna couldn’t come in.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Then I’ll be mad Pressly didn’t make his pitch, not that Osuna couldn’t come in.

I just made the mistake of reading the comments on the MLB Trade Rumors announcement of the agreed-to rule changes. (Why did I do that? Never do that. They add nothing to your life.) There were no nuanced defenses of the three-batter policy; I've yet to see any nuanced defenses of it anywhere. People just say: I don't like pitching changes. But it seems to me that if you want to take away a tool baseball managers have had since the beginning you should probably have a steeper hill to climb than just saying: Well, I don't like pitching changes. Especially when there are undoubtedly less intrusive ways to finesse the issue. You should have to do better if you want to take decisions out of managers' hands. 

I find this weird rush to suddenly fuck with the game extremely depressing.

[TerryPuhl21]

Then I’ll be mad Pressly didn’t make his pitch, not that Osuna couldn’t come in.

Perhaps, but not really the point. The point is, the manager should be able to make a pitching change based on a matchup. Not prevented from doing so based on this rule.


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[TerryPuhl21]

I just made the mistake of reading the comments on the MLB Trade Rumors announcement of the agreed-to rule changes. (Why did I do that? Never do that. They add nothing to your life.) There were no nuanced defenses of the three-batter policy; I've yet to see any nuanced defenses of it anywhere. People just say: I don't like pitching changes. But it seems to me that if you want to take away a tool baseball managers have had since the beginning you should probably have a steeper hill to climb than just saying: Well, I don't like pitching changes. Especially when there are undoubtedly less intrusive ways to finesse the issue. You should have to do better if you want to take decisions out of managers' hands. 

I find this weird rush to suddenly fuck with the game extremely depressing.

Casey Stern said it best today in my opinion. If you assume for a second (and it is an assumption) that this rules saves 5 minutes per game overall, does saving that five minutes convince any of the fringe watchers of the sport to watch more baseball? The answer is 100% no it doesn’t. So why implement a rule that so drastically plays with the way the sport is played?

If you want to improve pace of play, there are better options.


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[Bench]

I just made the mistake of reading the comments on the MLB Trade Rumors announcement of the agreed-to rule changes. (Why did I do that? Never do that. They add nothing to your life.) There were no nuanced defenses of the three-batter policy; I've yet to see any nuanced defenses of it anywhere. People just say: I don't like pitching changes. But it seems to me that if you want to take away a tool baseball managers have had since the beginning you should probably have a steeper hill to climb than just saying: Well, I don't like pitching changes. Especially when there are undoubtedly less intrusive ways to finesse the issue. You should have to do better if you want to take decisions out of managers' hands. 

I find this weird rush to suddenly fuck with the game extremely depressing.

Here's the best defense I've come across:  The three batter minimum for relief pitchers is a good thing

[Lefty]

Here's the best defense I've come across:  The three batter minimum for relief pitchers is a good thing

Hmmm...tough to guess who this could be

"Spare me your appeals to traditionalism: one-batter relievers were invented by a surly, self-proclaimed genius we all tend to dislike a great deal in the late 80s and weren’t widespread until well into the 90s."

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Hmmm...tough to guess who this could be

"Spare me your appeals to traditionalism: one-batter relievers were invented by a surly, self-proclaimed genius we all tend to dislike a great deal in the late 80s and weren’t widespread until well into the 90s."

I read this. I'm still sad as hell.

"Spare me your appeals to traditionalism" is a dumbass rhetorical device. LaRussa was able to innovate and make baseball more competitive because he wasn't managing in a straitjacket. If lots of pitching changes annoys you, find a better way to incentivize what you want, find a way that does not fundamentally alter the relationship between a team and its assets.

Most of the points he addresses are paper tigers. I could give a fuck about faked injuries or LOOGYs. The focus should be on (as someone in the last presidential contest said) Don't use a garbage truck to take out the kitchen trash.

Oh well. I hope firestorms greet Manfred on this score, and the thing is stillborn or aborted after 2020. Alternatively I hope it's not as big of a deal as I think.

I'll shut up now.

[Lefty]

Oh well. I hope firestorms greet Manfred on this score, and the thing is stillborn or aborted after 2020. Alternatively I hope it's not as big of a deal as I think.

If they're seriously concerned about the length of games, it seems they're trying to address just about everything except the one thing that has been repeatedly pointed out as the main culprit:  time between pitches.

When they start fucking with the game on the field:  this, banning shifts, banning the C from going out to the mound...I start having problems.

[JimR]

Here's the best defense I've come across:  The three batter minimum for relief pitchers is a good thing

Why try to defend it?

[DVauthrin]

Here's the best defense I've come across:  The three batter minimum for relief pitchers is a good thing

That was a pathetic defense by the writer.  Let’s say the Astros are ahead 5-2 in the 7th inning, and Verlander walks the first two hitters.  Hinch realizes Verlander is at the end of his rope, and calls for Ryan Pressly.  Unfortunately, on this night, Ryan Pressly simply doesn’t have it.  Maybe he gives up a 3-run homer to the first batter he faces, or he allows back-to-back hits, or walks two guys in a row.  Hinch can’t take him out until he faces a third batter, which could cost the Astros the game. 

Furthermore, do you see rules in the NBA about how many minutes a player must play before being subbed out?  No.  Offense-defense substitutions happen possession by possession in the last two minutes of games.  In the NFL, a player can play one snap, be subbed out for a play, then go right back in. 

[DVauthrin]

I just made the mistake of reading the comments on the MLB Trade Rumors announcement of the agreed-to rule changes. (Why did I do that? Never do that. They add nothing to your life.) There were no nuanced defenses of the three-batter policy; I've yet to see any nuanced defenses of it anywhere. People just say: I don't like pitching changes. But it seems to me that if you want to take away a tool baseball managers have had since the beginning you should probably have a steeper hill to climb than just saying: Well, I don't like pitching changes. Especially when there are undoubtedly less intrusive ways to finesse the issue. You should have to do better if you want to take decisions out of managers' hands. 

I find this weird rush to suddenly fuck with the game extremely depressing.

The problem isn’t pitching changes.  It’s all the commercial breaks that accompany them.  MLB needs to figure out a way to get advertisers on board with split-screen advertisements like NBC runs during its golf coverage.

The other truth that Manfred and his cronies fail to realize is that baseball is not a sport where action happens every second.  It’s a thinking man’s game.  If he wants to increase baseball’s popularity among younger fans, the league office needs to make a much stronger, concerted effort to market its stars.  The NBA and NFL run circles around MLB when it comes to marketing their best players and matchups.  Also, incentivize teams to call up their top prospects, instead of manipulating their service time, which is commonly done now.

[Duman]

Here's the list of changes from MLB.com. In addition to the ones I mentioned above:

• 2020: Aside from extra innings or blowouts, certain designated two-way players will be eligible to bat and pitch:
  
  • "A player can only qualify for this designation if he accrues at least 20 Major League innings pitched and at least 20 Major League games started as a position player or designated hitter (with at least three plate appearances in each of those games) in either the current or the prior season."

)[/li]
[/list]

So how does one obtain this designation if it requires you doing it in the previous year which you can't do with out the designation?

My first thought is the Angels might have to rush Ohtani back to the mound to qualify him as a two-way guy for 2020 unless MLB makes an exception.

[HudsonHawk]

To follow up on Noe's Denial League rules...we have similar rules. Courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs, but it has to be the last batted out.  We have a 2.5 hour time limit, but once an inning starts, you have to finish it. You can't call a game mid-inning, home team always gets their final at bat (except for the fields where the lights are on a timer. If the lights go off, game over, obviously). We have free defensive substitution for all positions, including pitcher. You can bat as many guys as you want, but a minimum of 9, and once the batting order is turned in, it's fixed.  It works well for us, but I wouldnt want to see those things implemented at the professional level.

[Fredia]

all these changes sound like room for a major mess up along the way and could change the integrity of the game

[Noe]

Hmmm...tough to guess who this could be

"Spare me your appeals to traditionalism: one-batter relievers were invented by a surly, self-proclaimed genius we all tend to dislike a great deal in the late 80s and weren’t widespread until well into the 90s."

The first person I thought of was Tony LaRussa, but then again, it might just be anybody who managed in the 80s.

[Noe]

To follow up on Noe's Denial League rules...we have similar rules. Courtesy runner for the catcher with two outs, but it has to be the last batted out.  We have a 2.5 hour time limit, but once an inning starts, you have to finish it. You can't call a game mid-inning, home team always gets their final at bat (except for the fields where the lights are on a timer. If the lights go off, game over, obviously). We have free defensive substitution for all positions, including pitcher. You can bat as many guys as you want, but a minimum of 9, and once the batting order is turned in, it's fixed.  It works well for us, but I wouldnt want to see those things implemented at the professional level.

And we still had guys trying to manipulate the rules (other than the lights of course) to try and win. We played, what, 16 game seasons and to make the playoffs, that's a low number of games to play to try and win as many as you can. So even with these rules to try and get in at least a 7 inning game, I still saw how each coach/manager/team captain tried their best to have a strategy to use or manipulate rules to their advantage. But then again, nobody came to watch us play a very quick game of baseball, nor would I think they'd want to pay for the privilege.

But I'm guessing there are MLB managers already thinking ahead of the rule implementation on how to strategically manipulate the rule as an advantage and not a negative. We'll all have to get used to watching managers invent new ways to get exactly what they want when they want it. Will it mean a quicker game? Probably not, probably means a different game and that is about it. Is different bad? Not really. It's subtle enough not to bother me because I'm sure a smart manager will figure out a way to navigate through the rule.

I do, however, look forward to the day the reliever on the mound is signaled from the bench to flop on the mound and fake an injury. Kind of reminds me of the day at Wrigley when Lance Berkman fell to the ground on a high pitch inside that never came near him. The umpire awarded him first base after Lance miraculously recovered. Replays showed the ball never came anywhere near him much less bean him on the head. Ground ball up the middle, the reliever falls to the ground in pain as if he got hit in the leg, replays show he wasn't hit, but are umpires going to go to the replay to verify he isn't faking it? No because... wait for it... it will delay the game even more! Irony is so ironic.

Oh, one thing I've wondered before... but if a reliever took time in the bullpen to warm up, why do they need more time on the actual mound to warm-up some more? I guess they will say because it's a different mound and different catcher. I suppose, but just how much of a difference does a mound and catcher make when you need to warm up. In our denial league, when I pitched in relief and I was on the bench, I would warm up around the fifth inning regardless. If the team captain wanted to make a change that inning, I was ready. If I was called, I went right in, got the ball and told the umpire "Let's go" and we proceeded to play ball. Again, I'm nowhere near the major league player talent and they get paid millions of dollars, so in a way they're investments for a team that they must protect from getting injured, so I guess they'll say warming up twice is a good way of avoiding injury. I say "okay, but I'm not entirely convinced".

[HudsonHawk]

I do, however, look forward to the day the reliever on the mound is signaled from the bench to flop on the mound and fake an injury. Kind of reminds me of the day at Wrigley when Lance Berkman fell to the ground on a high pitch inside that never came near him. The umpire awarded him first base after Lance miraculously recovered. Replays showed the ball never came anywhere near him much less bean him on the head. Ground ball up the middle, the reliever falls to the ground in pain as if he got hit in the leg, replays show he wasn't hit, but are umpires going to go to the replay to verify he isn't faking it? No because... wait for it... it will delay the game even more! Irony is so ironic.

There are already rules on pitcher injuries, and I don’t think trying  to game that system is a problem. I’m sure it happens ocassionally, but it’s just not an issue. And if teams did start to do that, the fix is a simple one: if a guy comes out for an injury prior facing the minimum number of batters, he’s ineligible for the next game, or two games, or whatever, and you can’t replace him on the roster unless he goes on the IL (it’s now the “Injured List”, not the “Disabled List”). That would stop those shenanigans real quickly.

Oh, one thing I've wondered before... but if a reliever took time in the bullpen to warm up, why do they need more time on the actual mound to warm-up some more? I guess they will say because it's a different mound and different catcher. I suppose, but just how much of a difference does a mound and catcher make when you need to warm up. In our denial league, when I pitched in relief and I was on the bench, I would warm up around the fifth inning regardless. If the team captain wanted to make a change that inning, I was ready. If I was called, I went right in, got the ball and told the umpire "Let's go" and we proceeded to play ball. Again, I'm nowhere near the major league player talent and they get paid millions of dollars, so in a way they're investments for a team that they must protect from getting injured, so I guess they'll say warming up twice is a good way of avoiding injury. I say "okay, but I'm not entirely convinced".

It’s not so much warming up, it’s just eight pitches to get used to the mound conditions. It’s, as you say, more of a safety thing.

[Lefty]

The first person I thought of was Tony LaRussa

What does a Tank Commander do with no tank?

[Craig]

What does a Tank Commander do with no tank?

Pass out and wait for the cops to make him commander of the drunk tank.

[Noe]

Pass out and wait for the cops to make him commander of the drunk tank.

That way it's not a tankless job.

[Lefty]

Pass out and wait for the cops to make him commander of the drunk tank.

Abrams tank does not have a dead-man switch, in case you're ever driving one.

[Lefty]

In less exciting news today, MLB has done away with restrictions on who can play in the Ariz Fall League.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1108872481488756737?s=19

[Lefty]

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1108872481488756737?s=19

Don't you fucking dare let the catcher go out to the mound, though!

[juliogotay]

Just reported via Ken Rosenthal that the players association has requested that the DH be implemented league wide before the start of the upcoming 2019 season. It was part of proposed changes exchanged between the MLBPA and MLB in January. The league wants a 3 batter minimum for relief pitchers when pitching changes are made.


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3-batter rule is worth about 40 seconds per game on average
according to https://theathletic.com/917663/2019/04/11/three-batter-minimum-rule-coming-in-2020-is-well-intentioned-but-unlikely-to-make-a-