MLB Rule Votes Today-What are your thoughts?

[statscbl]

The MLB's Joint Committee voted today. Here is what they decided.
1) The extra inning ghost runner on second rule is here to stay as it was put in as a permanent rule.

2) Position players will only be allowed pitch in the following 3 conditions.
a) if it is extra innings
b) The 9th inning and your team is up by 10 or more.
c) The 9th inning and your team is down by 8 or more.

I am interested to hear your opinions.

[Dan_Stonerook]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/356 ... ule-remain

[Dan_Stonerook]

I'm in disagreement with the rules changes.

[bucco boy]

The extra inning rule is an embarrassment.

[val]

b) The 9th inning and your team is up by 10 or more.
c) The 9th inning and your team is down by 8 or more.

Is it just me, or is it weird that these numbers are different? Why not just make them the same?

Oh, and a runner on second base just sucks.

[Ralphie]

I'm good with the changes. I don't want to see games dragging on way past 9 innings. And I don't want to see position players pitching. You have 8 guys in the bullpen nowadays.

[GreenWeenie]

Make it snappy. Nobody wants to stay up all night to watch baseball games that never end. Even more to the point, nobody wants to take kids to a night baseball game that never ends. Retired guys who don't have to get up in the morning don't care how long a game lasts. The rest of the world does, especially younger generations, who the the future of the sport depends on. If you don't like The Manfred Man, then make sure your team wins in the first nine innings that they had their chances to and couldn't get the job done.

People go to baseball games to see pitchers pitch. It's that simple. Pitchers pitch. They don't go to baseball games to see catchers or mascots pitch. Catchers and mascots don't pitch. So, I'm OK with that rule, too, though I would suggest simplifying it. Nobody wants a computer to remember what some obscure rule is.

[GhostOfPitthorn]

Can't stand the ghost runner rule in extra innings, but this isn't the pre 1970's era of baseball, when games began in the early afternoon, rather than nowadays where most games begin in the early evening, so I get it.

Definitely like to see limits on position players pitching...I'm actually surprised the players union didn't speak up about that earlier, arguing a misuse of assets that could lead to an injury all because somebody wanted a few laughs in a throwaway game.

But the bigger bases thing...ughhhh.

[GreenWeenie]

The Throwaway led to a manager's dilema: They didn't want pitchers being wasted in lopsided games.

You're right- anyone's arm could get hurt anytime they pitch. Something doesn't feel right to me when a manager needs to decide which guy he's willing to put at risk.

I agree with you- almost like they're trying to humor what few fans might be sticking around or watching on TV in a game like that. Fortunately, there aren't many.

[Dan_Stonerook]

Forfeits.
Losing teams in blowouts should start forfeiting in the 6th or 7th inning.
See if that changes MLB's rules.

Another question: Ohtani? So they did away with pitchers hitting and made a special rule to allow him to stay in the lineup as a DH after pitching in the same game.

They did away with pitchers hitting why not enforce it since position players can't pitch, pitchers shouldn't hit.

[GreenWeenie]

And, deprive me of the immeasurable anger that comes from a 20-run loss? Shame on you.

Some teams (not naming names) forfeit two or three years in advance.

A little humor there.

OK. I'll name the Astros.

[statscbl]

There is a speed for every hitter at any level that it is too fast for you to just place the ball when you swing. For most major league hitters, I would imagine it is between 95 and 100mph. Therefore, teams stock their bullpens with hard throwers that only throw for one inning at a time. If they deaden the ball a little like it once was, make it a smidge bigger and move the mound back a hair....maybe some of the problems in baseball might go away as relief pitchers will have to learn how to pitch (instead of just throw hard).

Since they aren't going to do this, I get why they are doing the extra inning rule. Personally, I don't find it exciting. Sometimes the pace is so slow in the 10th inning. There isn't the build up either when you just put a guy on 2nd base as opposed to beginning an inning with a double.

[Ralphie]

I am loving the pitch clock. The game is so much more watchable.

I think even the players are relieved. They can't and don't have to agonize over every pitch. Just play the game.

[GreenWeenie]

I follow games mostly on satellite radio and internet. I agree. Not as much dilly dallying around. I'm not much into radio solliloques. I know others are. They're just not for me.

Because I watch only so often- and, not at all this ST- 'll ask others who have: do you think that the shift elimination has made much of a difference?

[val]

I follow games mostly on satellite radio and internet. I agree. Not as much dilly dallying around. I'm not much into radio solliloques. I know others are. They're just not for me.

Because I watch only so often- and, not at all this ST- 'll ask others who have: do you think that the shift elimination has made much of a difference?

That's a really good question. I googled and went to The Athletic and ESPN and couldn't find anyone commenting on it. I did find out that in the first year the various minor leagues that did away with the shift, that overall the BABIP actually decreased. It was minor, like from .308 to .305. I'm very interested in seeing how this shakes out. I liked the shift. Anything that exposes the complete ineptitude of professionals who apparently cannot, cannot, cannot go opposite field.