Posted on 05/22/2016 11:56:31 AM PDT by Mariner
According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, Major League Baseball is on the verge of making two rules changes that could only be described as ground-breaking.
In a report filed on Friday, Stark says that the league's competition committee reportedly agreed to alter the strike zone and eliminate the four-pitch intentional walk during their meetings with owners this week. Those two changes could be implemented as early as the 2017 season.
The strike zone is currently defined as the volume of space above home plate and between the batter's knees and the midpoint of their torso. Of course, if you asked most baseball fans what the strike zone is right now, most wouldn't be able to tell you. That's because there's long been inconsistency from umpire-to-umpire, and sometimes even pitch-to-pitch.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Part of ‘speeding up the game’. With added time for TV commercials and replay reviews that stretch to five minutes, MLB and sponsors have to try and shift blame.
I stopped watching a long time ago, mostly because of time issues. However I always loved baseball because it was a game of inches and subtle strategy (or not so subtle lol). I do not think that “real” ball fans necessarily want a home run derby. It’s far more exciting when there are less. Just look at hockey (or even soccer which I dislike).
I watch a lot of baseball and think there are too many low pitches that are called strikes. It forces the batter to become a golfer which I don’t think is what most fans want to see.
From the umpire’s perspective, a ball right over the plate might be only 5” to 6” off the ground but chances are he’ll call it a strike, especially with a good catcher adept at framing the pitch.
The pitcher still has a large border to work around, and this space is expanded because the ball doesn’t have to be completely inside the rectangular box or pass through it before exiting outside the box. Not to mention the fact that the pitcher can change speed, location, and alter the movement of the ball. The pitcher still has plenty of advantages.
Just my 2 cents. Its still a great game.
Yes, the low strike in the National League is a thing to behold.
But remember, many of those are at the knees when they cross the plate, and sinking rapidly.
In the NL, the low curve, sinker and change-up are nearly unique.
Even the low slider to the back foot:)
If you want to change something, take calling the balls and strikes away from the home plate umpire and use that technology you see in the corner of your screen.
I think that would minimize arguements.
i dont think they are eliminating the intentional walk, just the throwing of four out of the strike zone pitches to make it intentional.
Think it was Whitey Ford said when he was directed to intentionally walk a batter, he just hit him with the first pitch and save the other 3 pitches
And while we’re at it, slice a few weeks off of the regular season. Baseball runs into bad weather at the beginning and at the end. World Series games in late October/early November are absurd. Too much chance of running into bad baseball weather, for the most important games of the year.
And the multiple levels of playoff series go too long.
as it is, the baseball playoff take an entire month, from the wild card games to game 7 of the World Series.
Judging from the imbeciles in the stands in Miami, they go to the ballpark to stare at their phones and take a siesta.
Home runs have been hit during intentional walks.
MLB needs to stop monkeying with the game.
LOL ... I was thinking of Eddie Gaedel and Frank Howard - great examples. ESPN still wouldn’t change their strike zone graphic for either one. Morons.
“Chicks dig the long ball.”
Jim Palmer is famous for never having given up a grand slam. Hitting the batter looks better in stats.
Maybe off topic, but I remember going to games years ago, and chatting up fellow fans about the game, and about baseball, the history of the game, great moments, etc.
Nowadays, in my observation, too many fans attending games don’t know anything about baseball. Trying to talk to them about the hit and run play, or the double switch strategy, and they don’t know what the heck you are talking about.
And these fans tend to be younger fans. It’s good to see them at the game, I guess, but, you wonder how many will be long term fans. Or is going to a game just something to do, but they have no clue about the games, the teams, who the players are, what strategy the managers are using, etc.
Judging from the imbeciles in the stands in Miami, they go to the ballpark to stare at their phones and take a siesta.
Happens at other ballparks too.
While we are told attendance is at near record highs, I wonder how many of these people are really baseball fans. I swear some people sitting near me are chit chatting the whole game, playing with a cellular phone, and not even watching the game.
I agree.
The team at bat should at least have the option of forcing the pitcher to throw the pitches.
As for changing the strike zone, I don't think that's necessary, other than to remind the umpires of what its boundaries are. Umpires who don't obey the guidelines can always be disciplined, if necessary...
I used to play baseball as a kid in school. And I liked watching the game as a player. But I never got into it outside of that. Kinda like golf.
You’re in the game if you’re a part of it, otherwise, it’s like watching paint dry.
What they need to do to the strike zone is fire every ump that has ever uttered the words “my strike zone”, make it consistent THEN MAYBE change it. I agree with the walk though. I’ve long thought the idea of making the pitcher throw 4 times because there’s a infinitesimal chance of a wild pitch is a waste of time.
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