New Baseball Rule
- Thread starter HFNY
- Start date
Tequilla
Active poster
It's a stupid rule ... guys should be able to step out to gather their thoughts within reason.
It'd be one thing if there was a pitching machine and guys knew that they were going to get one pitch all the time. But at the MLB level, so much of hitting comes down to guessing as much as anything else in order to take aggressive swings versus passive swings. I have no problem with guys taking a step out of the box to take 10-15 seconds to figure out what the pitcher is trying to do to them in the AB.
It'd be one thing if there was a pitching machine and guys knew that they were going to get one pitch all the time. But at the MLB level, so much of hitting comes down to guessing as much as anything else in order to take aggressive swings versus passive swings. I have no problem with guys taking a step out of the box to take 10-15 seconds to figure out what the pitcher is trying to do to them in the AB.
Everyone bitches about batters unstrapping and strapping their gloves after every pitch, but as a semi ocd guy I hate changing the process for such an intense decision.
Baseball haters say it's boring, but if you're capable of reading between the lines you'll see every moment is loaded with strategy.
Baseball haters say it's boring, but if you're capable of reading between the lines you'll see every moment is loaded with strategy.
I don't know why baseball cares what the haters think anyway. I'm not going to start watching because some guy can't adjust his gloves. You either enjoy the pace of the game or you don't.
HFNY
Well-known poster
I like that they are at least trying a few things. Most sensible to me is limiting excessive mound visits, those seem to have gotten a little out of hand the last 5 or 10 years.
I don't see why they aren't starting with only 1 rule change (such mound visits per inning) and then introducing another if it doesn't shorten games:
ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/mlb-games-length-three-hours-pace-of-play
I don't see why they aren't starting with only 1 rule change (such mound visits per inning) and then introducing another if it doesn't shorten games:
ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/mlb-games-length-three-hours-pace-of-play
I remember reading that White Sox owner Bill Veeck (sp?) once proposed that they change it to 3 balls and 2 strikes instead of 4 balls and 3 strikes.
FreeChavez
Active poster
There are a lot of rules to adjust in baseball to speed up the game. I think there is a middle ground. If you want to think about the next pitch leave your foot in the box and the other foot out. You still get your 10-15 seconds to think through a pitch, without all the BS rituals.
Pitching is also a joke with how many mound visits, speciality pitching changes, and commercials which extend these breaks.
There is plenty of blame to go around.
There is slow play in golf, shot clocks in basketball, and play clocks in football to keep a pace. There is no reason baseball shouldn't have something similar. Most people already would be under the pace of play clock, but there are a few who abuse it. Ortiz taking 30+ seconds per pitch is bullshit. It's not that complicated. A pitcher gets on the mound and gets a sign from a catcher who then makes the decision within a couple seconds whether to shake it off and throw another pitch or to go with it.
Pitching is also a joke with how many mound visits, speciality pitching changes, and commercials which extend these breaks.
There is plenty of blame to go around.
There is slow play in golf, shot clocks in basketball, and play clocks in football to keep a pace. There is no reason baseball shouldn't have something similar. Most people already would be under the pace of play clock, but there are a few who abuse it. Ortiz taking 30+ seconds per pitch is bullshit. It's not that complicated. A pitcher gets on the mound and gets a sign from a catcher who then makes the decision within a couple seconds whether to shake it off and throw another pitch or to go with it.
In today's ratings wars, TV has officially supplanted the live experience as the most important aspect to a successful sports league. I get why there is pressure to quicken the pace of play for at home viewership purposes, but personally I enjoy going to a ball park and spending 3+ hours shooting the shit, spitting seeds, and drinking beer.
It's a great passive sporting experience, and for the fellow bachelors out there a pretty much guaranteed home run in the dating scene. Nothing better than having the option to talk or watch the game depending on the vibe.
I'm against hitting the turbo button on the experience, but understand it's imperative to do so for MLB's survival.
It's a great passive sporting experience, and for the fellow bachelors out there a pretty much guaranteed home run in the dating scene. Nothing better than having the option to talk or watch the game depending on the vibe.
I'm against hitting the turbo button on the experience, but understand it's imperative to do so for MLB's survival.