Banning the shift?

[Primetime82]

Should MLB make a rule change that states you have to have 2 players on both sides of the infield? I mean, it's already tough enough to get a hit. Pitchers are waaaaay better then they've ever been....besides the Twins staff that is. I'm fine with using an outfielder at the end of the game, but BAN the shift!!!

 

 

[bluechipper]

I've been in favor of this, but I'd have to say there's almost no way it happens.

 

I hope it's just a cyclical thing, and players learn to hit all over the field better to adjust to the shift.

[Riverbrian]

Positioning players in the field is a part of strategy. The extremeness of such is a manager prerogative. 

 

Players need to be able to adjust. If they can't they will struggle. 

 

Rules don't need to be put in place to help those less talented. 

[bluechipper]

 

Positioning players in the field is a part of strategy. The extremeness of such is a manager prerogative. 

 

Players need to be able to adjust. If they can't they will struggle. 

 

Rules don't need to be put in place to help those less talented. 

When you put it like that, it makes me think of the hack-a-Shaq strategy, which I am totally fine with and oppose a new rule. I think I'll have to readjust my opinion on this whole shifting issue now.

[Winston Smith]

NO!!!! Stop screwing with the game.

[scottz]

Only if we can use GPS to make sure that all fielders are within +/- 1 foot of their designated starting position.

 

Also, no more allowing the infield to play in when the tying run is at third. And 3rd basemen can't play even with the bag when a speedy good bunter is up. Also, no protecting the lines in late innings and no playing deep in the outfield for any reason. My GPS rule will ensure all that. Just straight up baseball, with absolutely no positional shifting whatsoever.

[Matt Johnson]

Keep your laws off my body.

[Riverbrian]

 

When you put it like that, it makes me think of the hack-a-Shaq strategy, which I am totally fine with and oppose a new rule. I think I'll have to readjust my opinion on this whole shifting issue now.

 

Hack-a-Shaq... The same thing was done with Andre Drummond of the Pistons this year.

 

Drummond has said that he will consider under hand free throws. 

 

It's gotta be embarrassing when teams shift on you and you can't do anything about it. Teams are saying... look... we will give you the entire left side... all of it.

 

and you can't do anything about it. That isn't on the defensive team... that is on the batter... everytime. 

[bluechipper]

 

Only if we can use GPS to make sure that all fielders are within +/- 1 foot of their designated starting position.

 

Also, no more allowing the infield to play in when the tying run is at third. And 3rd basemen can't play even with the bag when a speedy good bunter is up. Also, no protecting the lines in late innings and no playing deep in the outfield for any reason. My GPS rule will ensure all that. Just straight up baseball, with absolutely no positional shifting whatsoever.

You have to admit that shifting has risen exponentially in the last five years (obviously). The other things have been done forever. Also, I know that there was the occasional shift back in the day, but nothing like now.

[Riverbrian]

 

You have to admit that shifting has risen exponentially in the last five years (obviously). The other things have been done forever. Also, I know that there was the occasional shift back in the day, but nothing like now.

 

It's exploding because it works. 

 

Tony Gwynn is rolling over in his grave. Tony used to walk up the plate and look at where they are playing and shoot for the open space. 

 

Just think about this... It wasn't that long ago... We used to have a manager in Gardenhire who would never shift. 

[bluechipper]

 

It's exploding because it works. 

 

Tony Gwynn is rolling over in his grave. Tony used to walk up the plate and look at where they are playing and shoot for the open space. 

 

Just think about this... It wasn't that long ago... We used to have a manager in Gardenhire who would never shift. 

I'm wondering if it's ever going to correct itself, and how long it will take for the hitters to make adjustments.

 

I just miss the days of knowing a sharp ground ball up the middle was for sure going to be a hit.

[scottz]

 

You have to admit that shifting has risen exponentially in the last five years (obviously). The other things have been done forever. Also, I know that there was the occasional shift back in the day, but nothing like now.

Absolutely, I admit it. I just don't mind it at all, any more than I mind the other positional shifts that teams employ.

[Oxtung]

Baseball is the game that is most resistive to change and that stifles the game.  I think baseball needs more shifting, not less.  There is a preponderance of mathematical evidence that could change the way we think about the game in exciting new ways.  I for one am bouncing in my chair in anticipation of these many new ideas becoming reality.

[Reider]

 

Should MLB make a rule change that states you have to have 2 players on both sides of the infield? I mean, it's already tough enough to get a hit. Pitchers are waaaaay better then they've ever been....besides the Twins staff that is. I'm fine with using an outfielder at the end of the game, but BAN the shift!!!

No. Players positioning themselves to where they think the ball is going to go is not cheating. Plugging one hole opens another one. Hit the ball there.

[Riverbrian]

I'm wondering if it's ever going to correct itself, and how long it will take for the hitters to make adjustments.

 

I just miss the days of knowing a sharp ground ball up the middle was for sure going to be a hit.

I don't know but if Brian Dozier continues to hit .203.

 

The correction just might start there.

[glunn]

This reminds me of the recently discovered crisis of trans people using the wrong bathrooms.

[NoCal]

12 and 13 pitchers on a roster, dozens of pitchers approaching 3 digit speed, tons of data to create the perfect shift. Yeah, come on hitters, just adjust. I have to say that the balance between hitters and pitchers/defense is a bit out of whack right now, and it has taken the drama out of many games. Do we really want 5 inning starters, and then a succession of one inning relievers to finish off another dull game?

[Matt Johnson]

 

You have to admit that shifting has risen exponentially in the last five years (obviously). The other things have been done forever. Also, I know that there was the occasional shift back in the day, but nothing like now.

 

There were also no curveballs until there were. And few home runs until people started hitting more home runs. Ted Williams had to hit against a shift.

[twinssporto]

I for one love the shift!  Long live the shift!  I'm utterly amazed it wasn't employed earlier.  As others have already pointed out in this thread, it's up to the hitter to make the defense pay for shifting on them.  

 

This shifting strategy is going to force the young kids coming up through the ranks to start "hitting the ball where they ain't" It's going to make the game more fun and exciting to watch as well.

 

Remember when Tom Landry invented the shotgun formation?  Changed the game of football and made it even more fun to watch... 

[SheboyganBrats]

Everyone in professional baseball not named Barry Bonds needs to become proficient at bunting.  I recall a game last year when there was quite a controversy because one manager became upset that the other manager was calling for bunts when the shift was put on.  Utterly laughable.  Keep laying down bunts and the problem is solved.

[tobi0040]

I would not even consider it.  It would open up the door for yellow cards, red cards, 15 yard penalties, or some other silly way of penalizing teams for trying to win.

 

I do think it is funny the Twins basically started doing it 1-2 years ago and it is already deemed so effective some are saying it should be banned.  I wonder how many additional runs we gave up from 2010 to 2014 or so....

[Pardon My Dinger]

Why would we ban shirts? What's next? Hats? No way, Jose. 

[BK432]

 

Baseball is the game that is most resistive to change and that stifles the game.  I think baseball needs more shifting, not less.  There is a preponderance of mathematical evidence that could change the way we think about the game in exciting new ways.  I for one am bouncing in my chair in anticipation of these many new ideas becoming reality.

 

Yeah, I like this. More shifts and more inventive approaches to playing the game. If they made a rule to prevent shifts (or make it more difficult) it would be such an awful step in the wrong direction, IMO.

[formerly33]

 

I would not even consider it.  It would open up the door for yellow cards, red cards, 15 yard penalties, or some other silly way of penalizing teams for trying to win.

 

I do think it is funny the Twins basically started doing it 1-2 years ago and it is already deemed so effective some are saying it should be banned.  I wonder how many additional runs we gave up from 2010 to 2014 or so....

Bring on the 15 yd penalty! "Okay Jose, go stand halfway between second and third" ... 

[spinowner]

Other teams used to put three infielders on the left side against Harmon back in the '60's so this is way not something new. It's just more common in the modern era. It wasn't a problem then and it's not a problem now.

[Mike Sixel]

Why? It is bad to use your brain and win more?

[nicksaviking]

Why would we ban shirts? What's next? Hats? No way, Jose.

 

I was thinking belts. I mean seriously, are we playing a sport or going to work?

 

If a team wants nine infielders, I'm cool with that.

[Platoon]

It's exploding because it works. 

 

Tony Gwynn is rolling over in his grave. Tony used to walk up the plate and look at where they are playing and shoot for the open space. 

 

Just think about this... It wasn't that long ago... We used to have a manager in Gardenhire who would never shift.

 

We solved the used to part of this! HE'S BACK!!

[jorgenswest]

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=29085

[nytwinsfan]

I don't understand why people hate shifts. If it is because it makes the game too low scoring, (which there is still not much evidence for) then there are better ways to make the game more offensive (smaller strike zone, lower mound, etc.). Plus, seeing good hitters go the other way or drop a nice bunt to beat the shift is really fun to watch. It ads a whole additional level of strategery to the game that is fun. I really for the life of me don't understand the aversion to it.