Potential changes to the MLB

[SF Twins Fan]

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet or not but the MLB is contemplating some changes to the game.

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26190498/robot-umps-shift-ban-coming-atlantic-league

 

 

• Using a TrackMan radar system to help umpires call balls and strikes
• Extending the distance between the pitching rubber from 60 feet, 6 inches to 62 feet, 6 inches in the second half of the season
• Mandating that two infielders are on each side of the second-base bag when a pitch is released, with the penalty being a ball
• A three-batter minimum for pitchers -- a rule MLB and the MLB Players Association are considering for the 2020 season as they near an agreement on a smaller set of changes
• No mound visits, other than for pitching changes or injuries
• Increasing the size of first, second and third base from 15 inches to 18 inches
• Reducing the time between innings and pitching changes from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1 minute, 45 seconds

 

 

What does everyone think?

[Nine of twelve]

 

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet or not but the MLB is contemplating some changes to the game.

 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/26190498/robot-umps-shift-ban-coming-atlantic-league

 

 

1. Using a TrackMan radar system to help umpires call balls and strikes
2. Extending the distance between the pitching rubber from 60 feet, 6 inches to 62 feet, 6 inches in the second half of the season
3. Mandating that two infielders are on each side of the second-base bag when a pitch is released, with the penalty being a ball
4. A three-batter minimum for pitchers -- a rule MLB and the MLB Players Association are considering for the 2020 season as they near an agreement on a smaller set of changes
5. No mound visits, other than for pitching changes or injuries
6. Increasing the size of first, second and third base from 15 inches to 18 inches
7. Reducing the time between innings and pitching changes from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1 minute, 45 seconds

 

 

What does everyone think?

1. Yes!

2. This will be the most interesting part of the experiment.

3-6. No.

7. Yes!

[Thrylos]

Other than the first and the last, which are great, the rest are unnecessary with a couple (#2 and #6) plain dangerous.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

1. Yes!

2. This will be the most interesting part of the experiment.

3-6. No.

7. Yes!

That's probably how I would come down on these.

 

I can understand why people are resistant to the automated strike zone, but, if implemented well, there will be no change in how the game looks. The umpire would get the signal privately and it will simply look like he is calling a good game. And frankly, I wouldn't want it until that is doable. And I am honestly starting to doubt whether MLB is competent enough to implement it properly without screwing it up or making a scene of it. I guess an amateur league is a good place to try it out. 

 

Changing the distance from the rubber to the plate seems bizarre. Seems like it would add offense and action, but also continue to lengthen games. 

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Other than the first and the last, which are great, the rest are unnecessary with a couple (#2 and #6) plain dangerous.

 

How is increasing the bases dangerous? It should decrease any collisions - especially at 1st.

[nicksaviking]

Sounds fun! Not all of these things will happen, but I think it's awesome they're getting to set up a science lab with an independent league. I'm really interested in hearing the results.

 

Interesting that the moved pitching rubber is only going to be in place for half of a season. They must be using that as a variable against the other changes.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

That's probably how I would come down on these.

 

I can understand why people are resistant to the automated strike zone, but, if implemented well, there will be no change in how the game looks. The umpire would get the signal privately and it will simply look like he is calling a good game. And frankly, I wouldn't want it until that is doable. And I am honestly starting to doubt whether MLB is competent enough to implement it properly without screwing it up or making a scene of it. I guess an amateur league is a good place to try it out. 

 

Changing the distance from the rubber to the plate seems bizarre. Seems like it would add offense and action, but also continue to lengthen games. 

 

I agree 100% one #1.

 

For #2 I'd rather see them decrease the height of the mound, which should decrease some of the pitchers advantage vs increasing the distance from the plate.

[nicksaviking]

 

I agree 100% one #1.

 

For #2 I'd rather see them decrease the height of the mound, which should decrease some of the pitchers advantage vs increasing the distance from the plate.

 

Well if the Atlantic League is willing, maybe that's tested next year. Unless someone's a die-hard Atlantic League fan, I don't know why anyone would be against experimenting in this manner to see what works and what doesn't.

 

I'd love it if they had instead picked the American Association so I could check it out for myself.

[Thrylos]

 

How is increasing the bases dangerous? It should decrease any collisions - especially at 1st.

 

sprained ankles, more uneven surfaces to run, more surface for ball to have funny bounces etc.

[Nine of twelve]

Regarding #2, I think the biggest plus is that it will be slightly safer for the pitcher. On the other hand, giving the batter a bit longer to size up the pitch may mean more line drives up the middle. It's hard to know, which of course is exactly why experiments are performed.

I think this will be a much bigger adjustment for the pitchers than the batters and catchers. (I was going to include umpires but then I remembered #1.)

[Nine of twelve]

 

How is increasing the bases dangerous? It should decrease any collisions - especially at 1st.

The kid leagues in which my sons played had a first base that was twice as wide, bisected by the foul line. The defenders were to use only the portion in fair territory and the batter-runner only the portion in foul territory.

[cardsfan]

Three batter rule or the end of the inning. If pitcher catches someone stealing that counts as one.

[PseudoSABR]

I like 4 and 5 more than most, it seems.  I don't mind the depth of the LOOGY to speed up the game.

[Jacksson]

Twins are pushing for a rule change that when the Twins play the Yankees, the Yankees are: #1 not allowed to wear pinstripe uniforms, #2 only are allowed a 12 man game roster and #3 the Twins can use 12 men on the field.

[Shaitan]

Would adding the TrackMan radar add time or speed up the game?

 

Now, for my old-man-yells-at-cloud moment, can they also discuss getting rid of instant replay?

 

I think these proposals are all pretty reasonable compared to other ideas that have been floated. I don't like the 3 batter limit or the penalty system, but it's not up to me. (And it's not like the sport doesn't already have penalties for balks and HBP.)

 

[laloesch]

#4, #5 & #7 emphatic yes! 

 

especially #5 & #7.

[old nurse]

Considering the motion of pitches moving the mound in the middle of the season I think would totally mess up release points and mechanics.

[Platoon]

Twins are pushing for a rule change that when the Twins play the Yankees, the Yankees are: #1 not allowed to wear pinstripe uniforms, #2 only are allowed a 12 man game roster and #3 the Twins can use 12 men on the field.

Allowing the Yankees any more than a maximum of 8 men would be fatal for our boys. Also, Yankees not allowed to throw their gloves unto the field prior to the game, as that generally is all that is required for yet another embarrassment of the Twinks!

[ashbury]

I have almost no beforehand opinion on any of the ideas, given the knowledge they will be tried out in live tests. I can wait to second-guess, just like any fan. But more seriously, it's great to try them out, and we'll have some info to work with in a few months.

 

I doubt the time between innings is due to players dawdling, the current amount of time being for advertisers, so I'm dubious what we'll learn from that particular change in an independent league.

[rv78]

#1 and #3 yes. 

1.Anything to get the umpires to call a better more accurate game would be good. They need help.

3.Don't like the shifts. The game was created with 2 infielders on each side of the diamond. Let's restore it back to the way it was intended to be played.

The rest No.

2.This is just crazy. Sounds like a good way to screw up pitching mechanics and increase the number of pitchers with injuries. Don't we have enough of that already?

4.Takes away from an important strategy of lefty vs lefty or righty vs righty. 

5.The current system of limited mound visits is working. Most teams don't use all they are allowed. However, the Manager should be able to change pitchers without having to go to the mound. Just signal from the dugout he's changing pitchers and let it happen.

6.Don't see the reason. 

7.Is 20 seconds really going to make much of a difference? If you want to speed up the game make the batter stay in the box in-between pitches and require the pitcher to throw the next pitch within 10 seconds after getting the ball unless there are runners on base.

[jorgenswest]

I appreciate the skill of a batter. I am confident that batters will evolve to the point where extreme shifts on most hitters isn’t useful. We don’t need to ban shifting. Simply let the batters evolve to the point where they are better at taking advantage of the shift.

 

I also appreciate the skill of the catcher. I don’t look forward to automated pitch calling though I am certain it is coming.

 

I guess I should appreciate the skill of the lefty relief specialist. I don’t appreciate it enough to endure all of the pitching changes and game breaks. If mid inning pitch changed didn’t include a mound visit and warm ups I am good with the continuing role of the LOOGY. Inform the umpire, bring in the pitcher and start the at bat. No breaks.

[Jerr]

#3, #4, #5...leave the distances and base size as it is. I would also like #7, but commercials sadly,rule the game.

[cardsfan]

Changing the distance is going to change the direction of people's pitching careers.

[TheLeviathan]

I eagerly await universal DH.  These are alright....not sure about a few of them.

[Vanimal46]

 

No more August waiver trade deadline! This is good.

[TheLeviathan]

Roster expansion now sounds set in stone for next year too.

[BD57]

Using a TrackMan radar system to help umpires call balls and strikes

 

Umpire's union will fight it.  Think something along these lines is coming, as tech improves.

 

Extending the distance between the pitching rubber from 60 feet, 6 inches to 62 feet, 6 inches in the second half of the season.

 

So they're going to tear down mounds and move pitchers back during the second half, when their arms are already getting tired?  Expect offense to increase - does baseball really think it has a "too little offense" issue?

 

Mandating that two infielders are on each side of the second-base bag when a pitch is released, with the penalty being a ball

 

Meh . . .  they're punishing knowledge and strategy.  I thought baseball was about that.

A three-batter minimum for pitchers -- a rule MLB and the MLB Players Association are considering for the 2020 season as they near an agreement on a smaller set of changes

 

This one really sucks.  Are they going to pair it with "no pinch hitters for those three hitters" too?   If the defense can't engage in "situational matchups," why should the offense be allowed to?

No mound visits, other than for pitching changes or injuries

 

That's just a "move the game along" thing.  Meh.

Increasing the size of first, second and third base from 15 inches to 18 inches

 

Might be a good idea for safety reasons.

Reducing the time between innings and pitching changes from 2 minutes, 5 seconds to 1 minute, 45 seconds

 

Yeah, like TV/Radio is going to give up a commercial ....

[cardsfan]

Looks like changes are coming in 2020 with 26 man rosters and only 28 September roster. 3 batter limit or end of half inning. Other changes as well.

[Vanimal46]

Looks like changes are coming in 2020 with 26 man rosters and only 28 September roster. 3 batter limit or end of half inning. Other changes as well.

I like this change too. Hopefully it helps keep a competitive balance in September, and prevents teams who are out of the playoffs from starting a AAA lineup.

[Mike Sixel]

I like the smaller September teams, for competitive reasons. I hate it for minor league players that will now never see the show. That's a lot of money (and helathcare?) down the drain for them. OTOH, one more player gets a full time salary, meaning 2-4 probably get part time ones......so, it might be good for a smaller number of players, but bad for a larger number. I like one trade deadline.

 

I hate the three batter minimum. We've always had specialists......it isn't about pitching changes for me, it's about batters stepping out of the box, and pitchers and catchers taking forever to get on the same page. It's about pace, not logical stoppages. But, I get that this is done, so whatever. I'll adjust.