ONCE AGAIN more drastic rule changes by MLB for 2023. Are they going too far???

[Toronto Passions]

I’ll be honest, the only things I’m comfortable with are the interference calls at 2nd base breaking up a double play and the home plate collisions. So many crippling and unnecessary injuries over the years have resulted in these plays. I get and I agree. I also agree with a little bit of a timer being placed on in between innings, and even pitches I can go for to some extent. That’s cool imho.

But what I can’t stand, is the automatic intentional walk. I don’t think that play happens often enough to make an adjustment. I miss the four pitches walk in a pressure packed situation. Will the pitcher even hit his intentional walk target in a
pressure situation? I miss that. I also cannot stand a man on second base to start an inning, in extra innings. What a horrible way to ruin a pitching dual. And I cannot stand the three batter minimum rule for relief pitchers. Like wtf lol. I like the managerial moves, and I miss the specialty relief pitchers and the righty vs lefty matchups. The calls, the specialists, the decisions, the stats etc etc.

This gets to a point where it’s literally destroying the integrity of the game and what it is supposed to be.

So now in 2023… there is yet more changes coming. They are basically eliminating defence shifts!

• All four infielders must have both feet entirely on the infield dirt when the pitcher is on the rubber.
• Two infielders must be entirely on either side of second base.
• Failure to comply will result in an automatic ball.
• Bigger bases (which I suppose is not that bad)

At what point have they gone too far?


Philip

 

[Fun For All]

I’ll be honest, the only things I’m comfortable with are the interference calls at 2nd base breaking up a double play and the home plate collisions. So many crippling and unnecessary injuries over the years have resulted in these plays. I get and I agree. I also agree with a little bit of a timer being placed on in between innings, and even pitches I can go for to some extent. That’s cool imho.

But what I can’t stand, is the automatic intentional walk. I don’t think that play happens often enough to make an adjustment. I miss the four pitches walk in a pressure packed situation. Will the pitcher even hit his intentional walk target in a
pressure situation? I miss that. I also cannot stand a man on second base to start an inning, in extra innings. What a horrible way to ruin a pitching dual. And I cannot stand the three batter minimum rule for relief pitchers. Like wtf lol. I like the managerial moves, and I miss the specialty relief pitchers and the righty vs lefty matchups. The calls, the specialists, the decisions, the stats etc etc.

This gets to a point where it’s literally destroying the integrity of the game and what it is supposed to be.

So now in 2023… there is yet more changes coming. They are basically eliminating defence shifts!

• All four infielders must have both feet entirely on the infield dirt when the pitcher is on the rubber.
• Two infielders must be entirely on either side of second base.
• Failure to comply will result in an automatic ball.
• Bigger bases (which I suppose is not that bad)

At what point have they gone too far?


Philip

It seems like MLB is adopting rules they use in Youth baseball...

 

[Toronto Passions]

It seems like MLB is adopting rules they use in Youth baseball...

What’s next for 2024? No lead offs ….the runner must keep his foot on the bag until after the pitcher throws? Or what about 9 batters max per inning, or a 10 run mercy rule?

This is getting ridiculous. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Philip

 

[Steve_Stevens]

The routine some hitters' have in the batters box is brutal.

 

[Ref]

So now in 2023… there is yet more changes coming. They are basically eliminating defence shifts!

• All four infielders must have both feet entirely on the infield dirt when the pitcher is on the rubber.
• Two infielders must be entirely on either side of second base.
• Failure to comply will result in an automatic ball.
• Bigger bases (which I suppose is not that bad

What I have found odd is that hitters were not trying to bunt their way on when the defensive shift was put on.

I too did not mind making the pitcher throw 4 balls for an automatic walk. There was always a small chance that something goofy could go wrong (passed ball, stolen base, hitter making contact, etc.).

 

[superstar_88]

Think about why they're doing this.
The game is too slow so in a way it is broken.
The average age of a baseball fan is 50 plus.
50 plus of course you want things the way they were.
For the youth the game is too slow hence too boring.
They want action. Automatic walks speeds up the game.
Time clock speeds up the game. Just get to the action.
Hence why those game in 30 min is a lot better watch than sitting through a whole game.
Forget double header. Who wants to sit for 5 hours watching slow molasses.

 

[Fun For All]

Think about why they're doing this.
The game is too slow so in a way it is broken.
The average age of a baseball fan is 50 plus.
50 plus of course you want things the way they were.
For the youth the game is too slow hence too boring.
They want action. Automatic walks speeds up the game.
Time clock speeds up the game. Just get to the action.
Hence why those game in 30 min is a lot better watch than sitting through a whole game.
Forget double header. Who wants to sit for 5 hours watching slow molasses.

Clearly you’re not a baseball fan…I would definitely challenge your view that the average age of a baseball fan is 50 plus, don’t know where you came up that…

 

[superstar_88]

Clearly you’re not a baseball fan…I would definitely challenge your view that the average age of a baseball fan is 50 plus, don’t know where you came up that…

You're correct. I am not a baseball fan. I heard it on some TV sportscast. I certainly won't stand by this fact but it was in the context of baseball not attracting the younger because the game is too slow and boring.

Here, I found this for you doing a google search:
https://frontofficesports.com/mlb-looks-to-grow-its-younger-fanbase/
Excerpt:
MLB has the oldest fans among the major sports, with an average age of 57, according to a 2017 survey by Sports Business Journal. The average NBA, NHL, and NFL fans are 42, 49, and 50, respectively.

 

[Fun For All]

You're correct. I am not a baseball fan. I heard it on some TV sportscast. I certainly won't stand by this fact but it was in the context of baseball not attracting the younger because the game is too slow and boring.

Here, I found this for you doing a google search:
https://frontofficesports.com/mlb-looks-to-grow-its-younger-fanbase/
Excerpt:
MLB has the oldest fans among the major sports, with an average age of 57, according to a 2017 survey by Sports Business Journal. The average NBA, NHL, and NFL fans are 42, 49, and 50, respectively.

You see, I think 'slow and boring' is what I would call the NFL, I prefer NCAA Football...MLB has been around a lot longer than those other leagues and have attracted and kept lots of fans over the years...there is lots of young people attending MLB games...also, registration for youth baseball across Canada has been rising the last few years and is at an all-time high.

 

[superstar_88]

You see, I think 'slow and boring' is what I would call the NFL, I prefer NCAA Football...MLB has been around a lot longer than those other leagues and have attracted and kept lots of fans over the years...there is lots of young people attending MLB games...also, registration for youth baseball across Canada has been rising the last few years and is at an all-time high.

If you're comparing NFL to NCAA then sure but between NFL and baseball there's no comparison. NFL is plenty more action than baseball.

 

[Toronto Passions]

If you're comparing NFL to NCAA then sure but between NFL and baseball there's no comparison. NFL is plenty more action than baseball.

LOL not if you prefer a guy throwing in the
high 90s busting people inside, to be more exciting than constant whistles and stoppages and a bunch guys piling on top of each other to achieve 1 yard. I fully realize I’m probably in the extreme minority.

To each their own.

Philip

 

[Carvher]

I am for any rule changes that will speed up the games. Amateur baseball is a fantastic sport. MLB is brutal. Watching a game in real time has become torture. There is around 30 seconds between each pitch with nobody on base. That's the same as watching a commercial.

Strict 20 sec. clock between pitches with bases empty would be a good start. I don't know why they are eliminating the shift. This will add more time to the game with more hits. Why reward a player who can't hit to opposite field?

 

[Carvher]

NFL is getting bad too.
Flags on almost every play.
Brutal officiating.
More commercials than ever.
Games used to be in 3 hr slots, now 3 and a half.
Thank god for PVR's!

 

[Fun For All]

I am for any rule changes that will speed up the games. Amateur baseball is a fantastic sport. MLB is brutal. Watching a game in real time has become torture. There is around 30 seconds between each pitch with nobody on base. That's the same as watching a commercial.

Strict 20 sec. clock between pitches with bases empty would be a good start. I don't know why they are eliminating the shift. This will add more time to the game with more hits. Why reward a player who can't hit to opposite field?

The rule is…when bases empty, the pitcher has 12 seconds after receiving the ball to deliver a pitch.

 

[John Wick]

The rule is…when bases empty, the pitcher has 12 seconds after receiving the ball to deliver a pitch.

or what happens.....?

not a baseball guy, so no idea what penalty would be applied

 

[Fun For All]

or what happens.....?

not a baseball guy, so no idea what penalty would be applied

A ball is called…

 

[shack]

LOL not if you prefer a guy throwing in the
high 90s busting people inside, to be more exciting than constant whistles and stoppages and a bunch guys piling on top of each other to achieve 1 yard. I fully realize I’m probably in the extreme minority.

To each their own.

Philip

Baseball has a lot of situational excitement, It's the anticipation of what's going to happen next. Men on 1st and 3rd, 1 out. Is the man on 1st going to steal? Does the manager call for a bunt? Is the pitcher going to throw heat or a breaking ball. Can the batter handle the pitch. Is the defense positioned properly?

TBH, of the 4 major sports only hockey has a flow of sustained action. All the others go in fits and starts. No continuity of action.

A typical football play probably only last 5-7 seconds. Then it's, get back to the huddle, huddle, line up, call the signals all before the play is run. That stuff all takes 3 or 4 times longer than the play itself.

 

[The Oracle]

What I have found odd is that hitters were not trying to bunt their way on when the defensive shift was put on.

You couldn't put on these shifts on for Pete Rose, Rod Carew or Tony Gwynn. They would eat the pitchers alive.

Dead pull hitters either refuse to accept the reality that they will have to change or just don't have the ability to hit the other way.

Anyways Baseball in their infinite wisdom has decided to curtail the creativity and skill needed to beat these cursed shifts.

Personally I like them. In time the next generation would have had to adapt to succeed.

Oh well the Joey Gallo's of the league will continue to be employed......

 

[The Oracle]

Clearly you’re not a baseball fan…I would definitely challenge your view that the average age of a baseball fan is 50 plus, don’t know where you came up that…

.

Baseball will likely never take back its throne, but maybe it can be salvaged. According to a 2017 data poll, the average age of a MLB fan is 57. This is up from 2005, when the average age was 52. There are fewer young baseball fans today than ever before; the sport isn’t growing. The average ages of NBA, NHL and NFL fans are 42, 49 and 51, respectively. There is a clear distinction between the age groups of each fanbase.

Pro Prose: Baseball is struggling to appeal to younger audiences - Daily Trojan

MLB needs to work on pace of play to bury its reputation of being boring.

dailytrojan.com

I didn't believe either but here you go...

 

[shack]

.

Baseball will likely never take back its throne, but maybe it can be salvaged. According to a 2017 data poll, the average age of a MLB fan is 57. This is up from 2005, when the average age was 52. There are fewer young baseball fans today than ever before; the sport isn’t growing.

The fact that salaries keep drastically rising belies that concept. I guess that it depends how "growing" is defined. Number of viewers, attendance, revenues?