MLB 2022 Season: Houston Warship: Go Phuck Yourselves

I haven't done one of these in a while.

 

The competition committee is rumored to be voting on rule changes Friday to speed up the pace of game.

• A 15-second pitch clock with the bases empty and a 20-second clock with runners on
• Two disengagements from the rubber -- including pickoff attempts -- per plate appearance
• A requirement by hitters to be in the batter's box and "alert" with eight seconds to go on the clock. Hitters are allowed one timeout per plate appearance
• Only two infielders will be allowed on each side of second base, with all four required to be on the dirt (or inner grass)
• Infielders cannot position themselves on the outfield grass before the pitch is thrown
• Bases will increase in size from 15 inches squared to 18

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...s-friday-eye-quickening-pace-play-sources-say

 

Ugggggghhhhhhh.....

 

I'm pro-pitch clock and I guess bigger bases are fine, but I don't like the rest.

 

I just don’t see where any of this makes the game more interesting to kids growing up?

 

What the hell?

 

"Major League Baseball passed a sweeping set of rules changes it hopes will fundamentally overhaul the game, voting Friday to implement a pitch clock and ban defensive shifts in 2023 to hasten the game's pace and increase action.

The league's competition committee, composed of six ownership-level representatives, four players and one umpire, approved a pitch clock of 15 seconds with empty bases and 20 seconds with runners on, a defensive alignment that must include two fielders on each side of the second-base bag with both feet on the dirt as well as rules limiting pickoff moves and expanding the size of bases.

The vote was not unanimous. Player representatives voted no on the shift and pitch-clock portions of changes."

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...ncluding-pitch-clock-banning-defensive-shifts

 

Man, that is some fucking bullshit.

 

What is it about the shift that makes so many want to ban it?

 

Because it's smart defense and it forces hitters to adjust or they'll be thrown out, and Manfred can't abide that!

 

They should make the outfielders play every batter straight away too, don't tell Manfred.

 

I am definitely in favor of the pitch clock. They should have had one a long time ago.

 

Doesn't the shift actually help make games go faster if there are easier outs?

 

There you go applying logic to the situation! We can't have that!

 

I think this will backfire on MLB over the long haul, as teams will want guys that can 2B/SS that can cover a lot of ground. Back to the lighter hitting middle fielders that can cover a ton of ground.

 

The problem is that Manfred wants to boost scoring while also speeding up the game. Which are kind of contradictory notions, since the more runs are scored, the longer games go on.