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Post by Tom on Mar 11, 2022 9:07:34 GMT -5
Lockout appears to be over. Don't know (or care) that much about the money aspects other than the fact unvaccinated players (who are not allowed to play in Canada per that country's regulations) will not be paid for the games they miss in Toronto
Other things:
- no more 7 inning double headers. They will be back to 9 innings - no more starting extra innings with a runner on 2nd
Likely for 2023 - pitch clock ( I hope it will go along with enforcing rules about stepping out of the batter's box) - increasing the size of the base from 15" to 18" - adding rules about where defensive players can stand (basically eliminating the shift)
and now a quick rant about the shift. I have no problem with the shift and don't see why they need to get rid of it. Put your players where ever you want. Depending on the situation, I also understand Ohtani or some other stud left hander wanting to hit through the shift. What I fail to understand is the .200 singles hitter with no power that doesn't consistently bunt his way on base. I used to laugh at teams that bothered to shift on punch and judy hitters until I realized that most of them were too stupid to take the free hit.
On a related note, I remember a Red Sox manager on the road in a tie game with less than 2 out in the 9th and runner on 3rd bringing an outfielder into the infield on the theory the runner would score and end the game on a fly ball. It didn't work too often, but he had the option of putting his fielders where ever he wanted.
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Post by WCHC Sports on Mar 11, 2022 9:28:44 GMT -5
I love that MLB is back. I am too emotionally invested for my own good. Some of my points:
Removing the 7 inning double-header (vestiges from COVID make-up games) or a runner on 2nd in extra innings should not be accepted as improvements to the game by the fans. This was nonsense that was unnecessarily introduced, and glad we're back to status quo.
Adding the DH to the NL is a much-welcomed change. Pitchers can't hit. I can't hit. Nobody wants to watch either of us step in the box and embarrass ourselves. Not to mention, with interleague play happening often or on a daily basis, the risk for AL pitchers to get hurt swinging or running the bases seemed to be more prevalent.
Removing the shift does take away some cool, endgame strategies like playing five infielders. Ultimately, it's not stopping the problem. I don't really relish a power hitter bunting against the shift for a single, but I do like the insult a successful try seems to impart. I think that banning the shift will encourage the absolute CRAP approach that many players have adopted in the modern age: swing from your heels in every count, rack up strikeouts like I can rack up a bar tab, don't put the ball in play. I want to see line drive hitters punishing the ball to all fields where they can. Those players have been subjugated because of a hard-on for the unequal weighting for XBH by the SLG stat.
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Post by mm67 on Mar 11, 2022 9:44:41 GMT -5
DH takes away one of the great strategic decisions in baseball involving changing pitchers. However, fans want it. Bunting adds more to the game. The great power hitter Mickey Mantle was a great bunter. His ability to bunt added another weapon to his awesome arsenal and the fans loved it. The shift encourages swinging for the fences, more strike outs and dead zones. Analytics should be relegated to the dustbin of baseball history. It won't be. Although these changes do alter the landscape, hopefully the game will retain its wonderful essence. The game is greater than any single player or team. But can it survive these rules changes intact? Nonetheless, the game had to change to survive in today's market. Carry on.
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Post by Tom on Mar 11, 2022 10:30:02 GMT -5
Oh ya. forgot to mention the DH. My hometown team is in the AL, so I'm not a DH hater, but I see both sides of the argument, That being said, I hate the fact that for about 9 games a year, they change the rules for an interleague away game
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Post by WCHC Sports on Mar 11, 2022 10:39:09 GMT -5
mm67, there is no incredible strategy-- they change pitchers every five minutes. All it does in the NL is offer even MORE reason to take that starter out sooner because he's going to strikeout at the plate.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Mar 11, 2022 14:44:32 GMT -5
My opinion:
Baseball has made so many bad changes over the years that one could conclude that TPTB have been trying to ruin the greatest sport in the world. The DH should not be added to the NL, it should be eliminated from the AL. The 7-nning game innovation was ludicrous and the "man on second" idea is so bizarre and so stupid that it is hard to believe anyone could ever propose it. Let the managers position their players wherever they want--the no-shift rule is not needed.
I'm all for a pitch clock and for some smart rules on stepping out of the batter's box. All one needs to do is recall Carlton Fisk getting up to bat and stepping out after every pitch, adjusting his uniform,etc to realize such a rule will help speed up the game.
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Post by Tom on Mar 11, 2022 14:49:25 GMT -5
My opinion: I'm all for a pitch clock and for some smart rules on stepping out of the batter's box. All one needs to do is recall Carlton Fisk getting up to bat and stepping out after every pitch, adjusting his uniform,etc to realize such a rule will help speed up the game. Many players have adopted this habit from "The Human Rain Delay". I put some blame on the umpires. Nothing says you have to grant time out every time it is requested
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 11, 2022 15:04:58 GMT -5
Lockout appears to be over. Don't know (or care) that much about the money aspects other than the fact unvaccinated players (who are not allowed to play in Canada per that country's regulations) will not be paid for the games they miss in Toronto Other things: - no more 7 inning double headers. They will be back to 9 innings - no more starting extra innings with a runner on 2nd Likely for 2023 - pitch clock ( I hope it will go along with enforcing rules about stepping out of the batter's box) - increasing the size of the base from 15" to 18" - adding rules about where defensive players can stand (basically eliminating the shift) and now a quick rant about the shift. I have no problem with the shift and don't see why they need to get rid of it. Put your players where ever you want. Depending on the situation, I also understand Ohtani or some other stud left hander wanting to hit through the shift. What I fail to understand is the .200 singles hitter with no power that doesn't consistently bunt his way on base. I used to laugh at teams that bothered to shift on punch and judy hitters until I realized that most of them were too stupid to take the free hit. On a related note, I remember a Red Sox manager on the road in a tie game with less than 2 out in the 9th and runner on 3rd bringing an outfielder into the infield on the theory the runner would score and end the game on a fly ball. It didn't work too often, but he had the option of putting his fielders where ever he wanted. That Canada incentive will generate a few shots.
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Post by purplehaze on Mar 11, 2022 17:16:08 GMT -5
ok, I'm a baseball fan and I'll watch my fair share of games - but I have a question for fellow posters: How many of you are willing to shell out upwards of $500 for a family of 4 to go to a ball game ? (and that's a modest number when it comes to the NYC teams) - when you include gas - tolls - parking - average seats - food at the game
Personally I'm not and I wish I had a triple or double A club in my area which is good 'professional' baseball at a fraction of the cost
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Post by rgs318 on Mar 11, 2022 17:52:22 GMT -5
We have some good amateur baseball in the NY/NJ metro area and you are right. Typically well played, entertaining baseball at reasonable prices and no need for a bank loan to cover the cost. A great way to spend a day.
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Post by mm67 on Mar 11, 2022 20:45:27 GMT -5
Rockland Boulders, an independent pro team plays in a beautiful facility in scenic Pomona, NY. Price is right, too.
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Post by longsuffering on Mar 12, 2022 0:04:58 GMT -5
Try the New Jersey Jackals, an independent league pro team playing at Yogi Berra Stadium at Montclair State University who used to play the Worcester Tornadoes who played at a stadium on a college campus also.
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Post by rgs318 on Mar 12, 2022 7:30:49 GMT -5
That is the team I have seen and enjoyed. You can certainly make a day of it by visiting Yogi's Museum close to the field.
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Post by HC92 on Mar 12, 2022 9:48:19 GMT -5
ok, I'm a baseball fan and I'll watch my fair share of games - but I have a question for fellow posters: How many of you are willing to shell out upwards of $500 for a family of 4 to go to a ball game ? (and that's a modest number when it comes to the NYC teams) - when you include gas - tolls - parking - average seats - food at the game Personally I'm not and I wish I had a triple or double A club in my area which is good 'professional' baseball at a fraction of the cost Prices are definitely crazy. You can certainly do it for cheaper if you’re willing to sit in not great seats, go during the week and/or and see a lesser opponent but it’s still very expensive and deters me from going very often.
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