What's next in baseball?

[Sarah]

After the World Series I was thinking now that the two most famous "curses" are over we've also seen the evolution of the game recently include the statistical revolution, new ballparks for almost every team, use of social media, etc. But the game essentially remains the same - I enjoyed all of the stories from Cubs fans about how their team has been a constant throughout the generations. What do you think is going to be the next "big thing" in baseball? Doesn't have to be strictly in MLB, could be minor leagues or baseball in general. And yes I realize if we knew we would all be consultants making a lot of money.   But it's interesting to think about. 

[biggentleben]

I really believe the next thing is the flattening of the international market. No more Latin (except Cuba) in one bowl, Japan in another bowl, Europe/Australia/Middle East in another bowl. The way major league talent will become flattened, and I think it will be better all around for the game, though I do also believe it will be one of those things where the ratios of American-born MLB players to foreign-born players will sway in ways that has national writers bringing out stories about "is baseball failing in the US".

 

On that note, I have seen it locally, and I have heard it in other areas of the country, but I think the other big thing will be a resurgence in baseball's role in the lives of the generation of youth right now. As my wife and I look to adopt, I'm amazed how many children of minority list baseball as one of their favorite things to do (and not just the boys). I know the little league around here has numbers by percentage of youth involvement not seen since I was a little guy in the late 80s, and that could be huge for the game going forward.

[Pardon My Dinger]

International expansion.

[spinowner]

 

International expansion.

MLB did that already, in 1969. But really, I know what you mean and I suppose it is a possibility but there are big roadblocks. Cuba, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic would probably have enough interest in a major league franchise but not enough money or stability. Japan would probably have enough interest and money, but road trips to the west coast are bad enough. A 162-game MLB schedule involving a Japanese team would, I think, be either unfair, unworkable or both. Europe would not be any better. My guess is that Mexico City is about the only place outside the US and Canada that would have any chance.

[Willihammer]

Puerto Rico?

[Mr. Brooks]

Puerto Rico?

I think Puerto Rico would be tough.

San Juan is the only city large enough to even consider, and the average household income there is right at the poverty line.

Their payroll restrictions would make the A's look like big spenders.

 

I think Mexico City is the only realistic combination of proximity, population and wealth. (Excluding Canada.)

And I don't think that is a consideration until Mexico gets its corruption and crime under control.

[spinowner]

 

Puerto Rico?

Technically PR is not international.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

MLB did that already, in 1969. But really, I know what you mean and I suppose it is a possibility but there are big roadblocks. Cuba, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic would probably have enough interest in a major league franchise but not enough money or stability. Japan would probably have enough interest and money, but road trips to the west coast are bad enough. A 162-game MLB schedule involving a Japanese team would, I think, be either unfair, unworkable or both. Europe would not be any better. My guess is that Mexico City is about the only place outside the US and Canada that would have any chance.

Japan simply isn't feasible. A non-stop flight from LA to Toyko is 12 hours and you jump forward a day in the process.

 

If a game in Los Angeles ends at 10pm and the team boards a plane at midnight, they'd land in Japan at... Oh, ****, who even knows?

 

12am + 12 hour flight - 7 hours time difference + 1 full day = WTF

[biggentleben]

 

Japan simply isn't feasible. A non-stop flight from LA to Toyko is 12 hours and you jump forward a day in the process.

 

If a game in Los Angeles ends at 10pm and the team boards a plane at midnight, they'd land in Japan at... Oh, ****, who even knows?

 

12am + 12 hour flight - 7 hours time difference + 1 full day = WTF

 

We had a "spirited" discussion on this board about how west coast time was killing everyone's enjoyment of the game. Imagine if local normal times for games were played in Japan, Australia, etc...

[TheLeviathan]

The end of pitchers batting.  I think it's a reality within ten years and the game will be better for it.

[Thrylos]

Next big thing will be the unionization of MiLB players, fought by both MLB and the MLBPA Union

[biggentleben]

 

The end of pitchers batting.  I think it's a reality within ten years and the game will be better for it.

 

I'd argue re: better, but two sets of rules now that interleague is part of daily life is not a feasible thing, and no way you're getting that cat back into the box at this point with the player's union.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I'd argue re: better, but two sets of rules now that interleague is part of daily life is not a feasible thing, and no way you're getting that cat back into the box at this point with the player's union.

 

I think the impetus will  be much more about the injuries pitchers suffer while doing non-pitching things on the field as a result of being forced to hit.

 

Those are huge investments being injured doing something they aren't being paid to provide.  The owners will squash it and the players union will be happy to add more jobs for hitters.

[Craig Arko]

Free beer. Ticket sales will skyrocket.

[ashbury]

Free beer. Ticket sales will skyrocket.

Free admission. Sales of $10 beers will skyrocket.

[Craig Arko]

Free admission. Sales of $10 beers will skyrocket.

I'd get season tickets.

[ThejacKmp]

I'd argue re: better, but two sets of rules now that interleague is part of daily life is not a feasible thing, and no way you're getting that cat back into the box at this point with the player's union.

I don't know about that. This postseason showed the joy of pitchers hitting, I think that set things back awhile on changing NL rules. I think to get it changed you're going to need several prominent pitchers to get hurt at the same time while batting.

 

I also love that baseball has two sets of rules. It makes the World Series and interleague play so much fun to watch.

[DocBauer]

1] DH in both leagues. Already done in college and the minors and half the majors. Adding more offense and protecting flailing pitchers at the plate seems to make too much sense.

 

2] An international draft.

 

3] Expansion of roster's to 26 or 27 players. Pitching is at, possibly/probably an all time premium and bullpen are being built differently and larger. It's almost getting difficult to build a bench as teams keep 13 man staffs at times.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I don't know about that. This postseason showed the joy of pitchers hitting, I think that set things back awhile on changing NL rules. I think to get it changed you're going to need several prominent pitchers to get hurt at the same time while batting.

I also love that baseball has two sets of rules. It makes the World Series and interleague play so much fun to watch.

 

The "joy of pitchers hitting" is the rare moment when it matters?  Sort of the definition of the "exception proves the rule" - no?

 

It's coming.  It'll happen in the next ten years because both sides of the CBA want it.

[biggentleben]

 

I think the impetus will  be much more about the injuries pitchers suffer while doing non-pitching things on the field as a result of being forced to hit.

 

Those are huge investments being injured doing something they aren't being paid to provide.  The owners will squash it and the players union will be happy to add more jobs for hitters.

 

Except teams are still highly focused on velocity, and as we've seen with the spike in TOS, that "on-field" damage they're doing every pitch to their pitchers is much worse than anything they could do on the base paths. The argument would hold weight if days on the DL for non-pitching, hitting/running-related injuries were ever even 10% of the total DL time that pitchers spend, but they've never come close. It's just that people remember those more than a torn labrum or Tommy John surgery.

[biggentleben]

 

1] DH in both leagues. Already done in college and the minors and half the majors. Adding more offense and protecting flailing pitchers at the plate seems to make too much sense.

2] An international draft.

3] Expansion of roster's to 26 or 27 players. Pitching is at, possibly/probably an all time premium and bullpen are being built differently and larger. It's almost getting difficult to build a bench as teams keep 13 man staffs at times.

 

Not true in all of the minors.

[biggentleben]

 

I don't know about that. This postseason showed the joy of pitchers hitting, I think that set things back awhile on changing NL rules. I think to get it changed you're going to need several prominent pitchers to get hurt at the same time while batting.

I also love that baseball has two sets of rules. It makes the World Series and interleague play so much fun to watch.

 

I will say that as long as I have Bartolo Colon on my favorite team, I want no DH!

[TheLeviathan]

 

Except teams are still highly focused on velocity, and as we've seen with the spike in TOS, that "on-field" damage they're doing every pitch to their pitchers is much worse than anything they could do on the base paths. The argument would hold weight if days on the DL for non-pitching, hitting/running-related injuries were ever even 10% of the total DL time that pitchers spend, but they've never come close. It's just that people remember those more than a torn labrum or Tommy John surgery.

 

Of course pitchers get hurt mostly while pitching.  I would suggest the guys handing out 300M dollar contracts don't care what the number of non-pitching injuries is so long as it is more than 0%.

 

They are being paid to pitch, not pull a muscle flailing around at the plate or on the bases.  We're already heard owners and GMs bitter about it, the days are numbered.

[DocBauer]

Not true in all of the minors.

OK, I feel very dumb at the moment. What leagues don't use the DH? I thought it was uniform.

[Thrylos]

 

OK, I feel very dumb at the moment. What leagues don't use the DH? I thought it was uniform.

 

It's not the leagues, its the teams.  Some NL league teams let their pitchers hit, while their opponents may use a DH.

 

Realistically, everyone can use the DH, some NL teams on occasion opt out (i.e. use their SP in the DH position.)

[markos]

Automated ball/strike calls.

[theBOMisthebomb]

Automated balls and strikes. More replay. Expanded playoffs until eventually the World Series wil be played in a neutral warm weather or dome predetermined location - like the Super Bowl. These are all negatives.

 

No matter how hard people try to ruin the game it will always be great.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I like the automated strike zone idea.

 

I don't know the tech, but I imagine it could be implemented non-invasively and without any umpires losing their jobs. The home plate ump holds a clicker, and if the pitch passes through any part of the zone, the clicker vibrates. The ump calls a strike.

[ashbury]

IThe home plate ump holds a clicker, and if the pitch passes through any part of the zone, the clicker vibrates. The ump calls a strike.

Perhaps something a little stronger than just a vibration, like an electric shock.

 

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm27/Boyd506/Forum%20Pictures/LeslieNielson.gif

[biggentleben]

Eric Byrnes did a piece on Real Sports on the automated umps thing.