New Rules in MBB this year.

[Harvard Gamecock]

Pitch clock, limit of throws to 1st base, elimination of the drastic shift, enlarging the bases by 3 inches.

I am a traditionalist of the game, but I for one think this is a good thing.
Having to watch pitchers walk around, and all other delaying actions have left a lot a potential (younger) fans blase towards the game.
Illegal shift was an abomination. Horrible
Enlarging the bases to increase steals, Stealing a base had become a lost art lately. Leader of SB's last year was 41. Henderson and Brock used to average over a 100 a year. Looking forward to this as well.

I played from little league, thru HS, and American Legion and loved the game, but the game had become, even to this diehard somewhat dull.

 

[18IsTheMan]

I'm a hardcore traditionalist and don't like much of it. I don't like changing a sport to make it more appealing to people who don't like that sport.

I'm ok with doing away with the shift.

Don't like the pitch clock or enlarging the bases. The focus on analytics drove the decrease in stolen base attempts, so their solution is to make bases larger? Good grief.

Baseball is much more of an art than other sports. So much more challenging. I heard an interview with Deion Sanders that he gave recently and he spoke of his frustration and fascination with baseball because he was so physically gifted, there wasn't much he couldn't do athletically, but he never could master baseball because hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports (his words). There are so many nuances of the game that true fans appreciate.

Once they go to robo umps, I'll be done. Just make the games simulations and be done with it at that point.

 

[Deleted11512]

Pitch clock, limit of throws to 1st base, elimination of the drastic shift, enlarging the bases by 3 inches.

I am a traditionalist of the game, but I for one think this is a good thing.
Having to watch pitchers walk around, and all other delaying actions have left a lot a potential (younger) fans blase towards the game.
Illegal shift was an abomination. Horrible
Enlarging the bases to increase steals, Stealing a base had become a lost art lately. Leader of SB's last year was 41. Henderson and Brock used to average over a 100 a year. Looking forward to this as well.

I played from little league, thru HS, and American Legion and loved the game, but the game had become, even to this diehard somewhat dull.

The only one I’m good with is enlarging the bases. Stolen bases are exciting, but the advanced stats say don’t do it. So I’m all for making it a little more enticing to steal. This will also increase scoring and infield base hits.

I don’t like eliminating the shift. I’m flabbergasted every time I see a major league hitter hit right into it. I don't like limiting the strategic part of the game. The advanced stats say if you hit for power you win. Why can't a defense adjust to that? It's ridiculous. How about we start teaching young kids how to use the whole field instead of how to hit HRs to the left or right field bleachers and it will solve itself.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

The only one I’m good with is enlarging the bases. Stolen bases are exciting, but the advanced stats say don’t do it. So I’m all for making it a little more enticing to steal. This will also increase scoring and infield base hits.

I don’t like eliminating the shift. I’m flabbergasted every time I see a major league hitter hit right into it. I don't like limiting the strategic part of the game. The advanced stats say if you hit for power you win. Why can't a defense adjust to that? It's ridiculous. How about we start teaching young kids how to use the whole field instead of how to hit HRs to the left or right field bleachers and it will solve itself.

I'm not so sure you know what you're asking for here Learning to hit to the opposite side of the field, takes time to learn and a good amount of discipline, and some just can't master that task, or at best are mildly proficient.
Even if you were to emphasize that practice right now on HS and minor leaguers, it would take close to 5-6 years before you start to see impact in the majors.

 

[atl-cock]

Like many things in life, abuse forces legislation. For decades, pitchers worked quickly, and thus, no need for a pitch clock.

I think shifts are crazy, and I would love to see batters hit one to the opposite field

Enlarging the bases by 3 inches. Hmmmm. What about home plate? Would that make it easier to steal home? Of course, it would enlarge the strike zone.

 

[Blues man]

Pitch clock I like. How about lets get one our pitcher can see instead of the ump.
Limit throws to 1st. Bad idea. Let the fans boo.
Hate the shift but a defense ought to be free to screw up. Oh btw, teach your batters to go with the pitch and no one will shift on you.
Enlarging bases. No... dont mess with the dimensions on the field. It doesnt need fixing. In fact get rid of those foot long sliding gloves.

 

[will110]

I'm a traditionalist as well and I think the rule changes are going to make baseball much better. I think once players get used to the pitch clock it'll be a non-factor and we'll just have games that move with good pace. Getting rid of the shift is a big positive. Increasing the bases is another change that just won't be noticed, but should reduce injuries (which was the point).

The one change I despise is the extra inning free runner. It's stupid and arbitrary. The other rules all are in the spirit of the game. The free runner is ridiculous, and I hate it.

 

[Deleted11512]

I'm not so sure you know what you're asking for here Learning to hit to the opposite side of the field, takes time to learn and a good amount of discipline, and some just can't master that task, or at best are mildly proficient.
Even if you were to emphasize that practice right now on HS and minor leaguers, it would take close to 5-6 years before you start to see impact in the majors.

Yes, I played baseball my whole life. That's why I said "young kids". They have to learn in little league. Right now, it's just grip it and rip it. The age they are getting taught that is getting younger and younger. And getting rid of the shift is just going to throw gas onto the fire. But I guess they just want to have home run derbies every game, b/c it's "exciting". I mean, an ENTIRE side of the field is just wide open. And we're tying to help a guy making $25M/yr avoid just hitting it where they ain't? It's nonsensical.

 

[Deleted11512]

I'm a traditionalist as well and I think the rule changes are going to make baseball much better. I think once players get used to the pitch clock it'll be a non-factor and we'll just have games that move with good pace. Getting rid of the shift is a big positive. Increasing the bases is another change that just won't be noticed, but should reduce injuries (which was the point).

The one change I despise is the extra inning free runner. It's stupid and arbitrary. The other rules all are in the spirit of the game. The free runner is ridiculous, and I hate it.

Yeah, the clock will adjust and be a non factor in the actual game itself. I read it shaved 24 min off of spring camp games. It will be interesting to see if that holds in the regular season.

 

[will110]

Yeah, the clock will adjust and be a non factor in the actual game itself. I read it shaved 24 min off of spring camp games. It will be interesting to see if that holds in the regular season.

I don't really care about the overall length of the game, but it would be nice to increase the pace between pitches. There's no need to have 30 seconds between every pitch for the batter to adjust his gloves.

 

[Deleted11512]

I don't really care about the overall length of the game, but it would be nice to increase the pace between pitches. There's no need to have 30 seconds between every pitch for the batter to adjust his gloves.

I guess...just seems like an odd use of time and resources to implement to shave a few minutes off a game.

 

[KingWard]

Pitch clock, limit of throws to 1st base, elimination of the drastic shift, enlarging the bases by 3 inches.

I am a traditionalist of the game, but I for one think this is a good thing.
Having to watch pitchers walk around, and all other delaying actions have left a lot a potential (younger) fans blase towards the game.
Illegal shift was an abomination. Horrible
Enlarging the bases to increase steals, Stealing a base had become a lost art lately. Leader of SB's last year was 41. Henderson and Brock used to average over a 100 a year. Looking forward to this as well.

I played from little league, thru HS, and American Legion and loved the game, but the game had become, even to this diehard somewhat dull.

Explain to me about the illegal shift.

 

[Viennacock]

I'm a hardcore traditionalist and don't like much of it. I don't like changing a sport to make it more appealing to people who don't like that sport.

I'm ok with doing away with the shift.

Don't like the pitch clock or enlarging the bases. The focus on analytics drove the decrease in stolen base attempts, so their solution is to make bases larger? Good grief.

Baseball is much more of an art than other sports. So much more challenging. I heard an interview with Deion Sanders that he gave recently and he spoke of his frustration and fascination with baseball because he was so physically gifted, there wasn't much he couldn't do athletically, but he never could master baseball because hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports (his words). There are so many nuances of the game that true fans appreciate.

Once they go to robo umps, I'll be done. Just make the games simulations and be done with it at that point.

I don't think they are trying to appeal to the folks that don't like baseball, as much as trying to bring back the fans that like baseball but quit watching.

I also think all sports need to change playoff times to allow kids to watch. Basketball on Monday will start at 9:30. I'll watch the first half at best. My kids will get to see the introductions before going to bed.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Explain to me about the illegal shift.

I'll do better and include the explanation of the new rule concerning defensive shifts.

Defensive shifts​

The defensive shift rule states that a team must have two fielders stationed completely on either side of second base when a pitch is thrown. A team must also have a minimum of four players with their feet on the outer boundary of the infield dirt.

 

[atl-cock]

I don't think they are trying to appeal to the folks that don't like baseball, as much as trying to bring back the fans that like baseball but quit watching.

I also think all sports need to change playoff times to allow kids to watch. Basketball on Monday will start at 9:30. I'll watch the first half at best. My kids will get to see the introductions before going to bed.

Basketball on Sunday starts at 3:30.

 

[KingWard]

I'll do better and include the explanation of the new rule concerning defensive shifts.

Defensive shifts​

The defensive shift rule states that a team must have two fielders stationed completely on either side of second base when a pitch is thrown. A team must also have a minimum of four players with their feet on the outer boundary of the infield dirt.

You know, I really don't agree with this in that it takes away a historically useful defensive tactic that the likes of Ted Williams had to contend with - and evidently he did so very well.

It's a perfectly fair risk/reward strategy as well. Teams employing such a shift do so at considerable peril. It encourages batters to learn how to go the other way. I think this rule detracts from baseball.

 

[Viennacock]

Basketball on Sunday starts at 3:30.

Not the mens national championship game. That's what my boys want to watch.

National championship game for football is relatively late on my monday night also. I would be thrilled if they moved it to Sunday at 3:30.

 

[Viennacock]

You know, I really don't agree with this in that it takes away a historically useful defensive tactic that the likes of Ted Williams had to contend with - and evidently he did so very well.

It's a perfectly fair strategy risk/reward strategy as well. Teams employing such a shift do so at considerable peril. It encourages batters to learn how to go the other way. I think this rule detracts from baseball.

I'm with you on the shift. I am good with the pitch clock.

 

[joeyamamaahoe]

Accommodations are a *****. When will people grab a sack?

 

[Prestonyte]

Yes, I played baseball my whole life. That's why I said "young kids". They have to learn in little league. Right now, it's just grip it and rip it. The age they are getting taught that is getting younger and younger. And getting rid of the shift is just going to throw gas onto the fire. But I guess they just want to have home run derbies every game, b/c it's "exciting". I mean, an ENTIRE side of the field is just wide open. And we're tying to help a guy making $25M/yr avoid just hitting it where they ain't? It's nonsensical.

Based on my baseball experience, it only makes perfect sense. Trying to pull a pitch on the outer part of the plate results in an out a huge percentage of the time. However, many balls hit to the opposite field are a result of late swings as opposed to going with the pitch. Going with the pitch and "hitting it where they ain't" in the case of a shift is definitely an acquired skill requiring lots of discipline.

 

[atl-cock]

Not the mens national championship game. That's what my boys want to watch.

National championship game for football is relatively late on my monday night also. I would be thrilled if they moved it to Sunday at 3:30.

I filled out a bracket for the women, but not the men.

 

[Deleted11512]

Based on my baseball experience, it only makes perfect sense. Trying to pull a pitch on the outer part of the plate results in an out a huge percentage of the time. However, many balls hit to the opposite field are a result of late swings as opposed to going with the pitch. Going with the pitch and "hitting it where they ain't" in the case of a shift is definitely an acquired skill requiring lots of discipline.

Freddy Freeman makes $27M/yr. He should either be good enough to either hit into the shift with success, or disciplined enough to go the other way.

 

[Blues man]

I always thought of an extreme shift as a calling out based on a weakness. It's an insult. They are saying you cant do a thing about it. Trying to pull an outside pitch is a weakness and it's not like a pitcher sticks to one side of the plate when the shift is on. You would think they would but from what I see, they dont. It baffles me as to why correcting it isnt a priority. Even the hitting coach should be embarrassed when he sees it. I would.

 

[Prestonyte]

I always thought of an extreme shift as a calling out based on a weakness. It's an insult. They are saying you cant do a thing about it. Trying to pull an outside pitch is a weakness and it's not like a pitcher sticks to one side of the plate when the shift is on. You would think they would but from what I see, they dont. It baffles me as to why correcting it isnt a priority. Even the hitting coach should be embarrassed when he sees it. I would.

As a hitter, it should pi** you off and motivate you to embarrass the coach who ordered the shift!

 

[Blues man]

As a hitter, it should pi** you off and motivate you to embarrass the coach who ordered the shift!

Absolutely... assuming you can do something about it. If you cant, you know what you need to work on starting this week!

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Freddy Freeman makes $27M/yr. He should either be good enough to either hit into the shift with success, or disciplined enough to go the other way

You know, I really don't agree with this in that it takes away a historically useful defensive tactic that the likes of Ted Williams had to contend with - and evidently he did so very well.

It's a perfectly fair strategy risk/reward strategy as well. Teams employing such a shift do so at considerable peril. It encourages batters to learn how to go the other way. I think this rule detracts from baseball

Several thoughts here, let's start with Ted Williams.
First the shift was used sporadically against Ted Williams, it was not used exclusively. And, we are talking about Ted Williams, the greatest hitter in the history of the game.
Now the extreme shift is being used for just about every player up and down the lineup. (Over 24k, shifts recorded last year)

Eliminating the extreme shift, is not making a radical change to the game, but now having the defensive players in the more traditional positions.
Finally, a shift has not been eliminated, one can still have players shift to one side of the filed, but must be on the infield dirt.

 

[18IsTheMan]

what's next, slow pitch?

 

[Blues man]

Several thoughts here, let's start with Ted Williams.
First the shift was used sporadically against Ted Williams, it was not used exclusively. And, we are talking about Ted Williams, the greatest hitter in the history of the game.
Now the extreme shift is being used for just about every player up and down the lineup. (Over 24k, shifts recorded last year)

Eliminating the extreme shift, is not making a radical change to the game, but now having the defensive players in the more traditional positions.
Finally, a shift has not been eliminated, one can still have players shift to one side of the filed, but must be on the infield dirt.

Interesting. Guess I need to brush up on the college rules. I've spent most of my adult life coaching travelball and in that case, set up on the infield dirt was mandatory as far back as I can remember with the exception of playing forward. I assumed that was the case in college as well since we often played in front of college coaches and usually tried to play by the same rules. I was thinking the new rule had more to do with having to keep two players on either side of second. As I've said, I'm no fan of the extreme shift but I dont think a rule should be made to prohibit it.

 

[KingWard]

Several thoughts here, let's start with Ted Williams.
First the shift was used sporadically against Ted Williams, it was not used exclusively. And, we are talking about Ted Williams, the greatest hitter in the history of the game.
Now the extreme shift is being used for just about every player up and down the lineup. (Over 24k, shifts recorded last year)

Eliminating the extreme shift, is not making a radical change to the game, but now having the defensive players in the more traditional positions.
Finally, a shift has not been eliminated, one can still have players shift to one side of the filed, but must be on the infield dirt.

No need for any modifications at all as regards the shift. Let managers manage.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

No need for any modifications at all as regards the shift. Let managers manage.

Obviously MLB had a different opinion.

 

[SILVERSPUR-rier]

Of course, the easiest way to speed up a game in any televised sport is to reduce the number of commercials, but that will never happen....

 

[Prestonyte]

If a shift can shut down a MLB hitter, he should not be a MLB hitter! Why should rules be implemented to help a highly paid professional?

 

[Blues man]

If a shift can shut down a MLB hitter, he should not be a MLB hitter! Why should rules be implemented to help a highly paid professional?

If you have a couple of minutes, I think you might enjoy this. It show how quickly a good hitting coach can fix pulling an outside pitch.

 

[Deleted11512]

This whole thread has made me respect soccer so much more. Follow me here...in soccer, they haven't had any rule changes in 100 years (aside from going to PKs after 90 minutes instead of just playing extra time until someone scored). Offsides is still offsides, a handball is still a handball, the clock runs the way it runs, etc...They don't really care if they see a 1-1 draw, 0-0 draw, or 1-0 W. The game is the game. You either like it or you don't. They're not abolishing offsides to get more scores so Americans will watch (although you just know that's coming with MLS at some point). Or something stupid like only backs can go in the 18 yd box. This stuff with baseball just sounds ridiculous when you step back and read it. It's just corny.

 

[Prestonyte]

If you have a couple of minutes, I think you might enjoy this. It show how quickly a good hitting coach can fix pulling an outside pitch.

If you want to you can. So, why not do it? Fear? Afraid it will impact the money maker swing?

 

[Blues man]

This whole thread has made me respect soccer so much more. Follow me here...in soccer, they haven't had any rule changes in 100 years (aside from going to PKs after 90 minutes instead of just playing extra time until someone scored). Offsides is still offsides, a handball is still a handball, the clock runs the way it runs, etc...They don't really care if they see a 1-1 draw, 0-0 draw, or 1-0 W. The game is the game. You either like it or you don't. They're not abolishing offsides to get more scores so Americans will watch (although you just know that's coming with MLS at some point). Or something stupid like only backs can go in the 18 yd box. This stuff with baseball just sounds ridiculous when you step back and read it. It's just corny.

Being that it's more international, it probably wouldnt go over well to have some new generation American come in thinking they can reinvent the game.

 

[Blues man]

If you want to you can. So, why not do it? Fear? Afraid it will impact the money maker swing?

That really is a head scratcher

 

[KingWard]

Obviously MLB had a different opinion.

Part of what's happening is about adding offense; the other part is in speeding up our most beautiful and historic game through manipulation. I can see limiting mound visits; I can even see the pitch clock. But messing with how the actual game is played is a travesty.

 

[KingWard]

Based on my baseball experience, it only makes perfect sense. Trying to pull a pitch on the outer part of the plate results in an out a huge percentage of the time. However, many balls hit to the opposite field are a result of late swings as opposed to going with the pitch. Going with the pitch and "hitting it where they ain't" in the case of a shift is definitely an acquired skill requiring lots of discipline.

Thurman Munson. He could flat out hit.

 

[Prestonyte]

Thurman Munson. He could flat out hit.

Munson brought his lunch pail every game!