Posted on 01/21/2016 3:37:59 PM PST by PROCON
Yeah, I think that’s where I first saw the idea. Someone suggested Colorado try something like this to solve the problem of pitching there. It really does seem like it is a different game played at that altitude, I doubt elite free agent pitchers consider it would be a good place to pitch.
The problem is burning out your pen or getting a bunch of sore arms at once. You wouldn’t be getting them up and loose and then not using them like what happens a lot of the time now, though. That might save some wear and tear. There would be generally set days and probably even set innings to come in, I would think.
But I don’t think anyone is actually training to be a multiple inning reliever any more. It’s all starting or one inning. That’s why the first ones to try it will probably have to have a bunch of bad or mediocre starters, guys that might put on 4mph or so if they know they aren’t keeping as much in the tank for the second time through the line up. It still might burn out if they don’t have at least some guys that can go really long on short notice as well. Or at least that’s my thinking until someone gives it a shot.
As far as DH, not a fan either.
Freegards
And the game is interesting when an automatic out comes to the plate! Come on now, the game is between pitchers and hitters, not pitchers and pitchers.
Similar to the wussification of the NFL and their rules now about QB protection.
You don't like the chess match of managerial wits of double switches, etc. late in the game?
Furthermore, there are Guys like Grienke who have a lifetime ba of .217. And guess what,,,,,that was higher than some starters on my Astros team last year.
This is an element of the game that shouldn't have ever been tinkered with. At least that's the opinion of hard core fans like myself
They’re definitely lowering the expectation of pitchers. They used to pitch whole games, they used to hit, they used to be good at more than 3 pitches.
They might be bigger and stronger, but they pitch fewer inning, half of them never have to hit (soon all), and they’re good at fewer pitches. The expectations for pitchers are diminishing.
With all due respect, you are mistaking the minimizing of extraneous requirements in favor of maximizing fundamental talents for diminishing expectations.
True, starting pitchers no longer throw 140-150 pitches/game. Instead, they throw 110 pitches/game -- but virtually all of them are max effort (as opposed to maybe 1/3 of them previously).
True, most pitchers no longer boast arsenals consisting of 5-or-more pitches. Instead, most starting pitchers work with 3 pitches, relievers with only 2. But that is the result of intention to maximize the pitcher's performance. Most pitchers can't effectively command more than three (or two) pitches. The extra pitch(es) too often end up as cripples...and outside the park. Simplifying a pitcher's arsenal usually results in a better pitcher.
True, most pitchers can't hit a lick. Even the better hitting pitchers aren't really good hitters. But that's the result of a century-long trend and a manifestation of the individual pitcher's and his organization's judgment that his primary job is pitching. And working to be a better pitcher will make a greater contribution to the team than working to be a better hitter.
Athletically, pitchers are generally the equal of their position player contemporaries. Realize about 90% of players selected in the amateur draft will be pitchers, shortstops and center fielders -- and invariably the best players on their team. And, as previously noted, pitching is the most physically exhausting job on the field, excepting only the catcher's.
One would be tempted to exclude the likes of Bartolo Colon in any discussion of athleticism. But how many position players will play at 43 next year, like Colon will.
Sorry but you’re excuse mongering failure. Pitchers were always “max effort”. And reducing their innings and available pitches is the exact OPPOSITE of of maximizing a pitchers performance. Baseball is paying more for less from pitcher, because they ENCOURAGE the pitchers to be underperforming premadonas. They constantly reduce what the expect pitchers to be able to do, and the pitchers gladly comply. They keep getting worse in their skill set, and worse in their endurance. Today’s pitchers aren’t as good at ANYTHING as yesteryear’s were, and the baseball industry rejoices in that.
May I suggest Christy Mathewson's Pitching In A Pinch for your reading list?
Well given that the pitchers of old could get batters out on fewer pitches, had better control, better ball movement, and could perform more pitches, if they did all that so much better than today’s pitchers without being “max effort” and today’s are “max effort” then today’s pitcher just plain suck and should find honest work. Because with all the “benefits” they get now they are markedly and obviously worse at the job.
I’m for a designated fielder rule. Not really of course. Just a purist, if you field you hit. And how about a designated free throw shooter in NBA?
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