OT - What's Wrong With Baseball? Could the Game Be Improved?

[frankbmd]

Baseball has been around a long time and certainly some similarities to the game of 100 years ago exist, but few would argue that the game has not changed and in fact the game is constantly changing.

The Equipment
The Training
The Rules
The Strategy
The Ball Parks
The Money
Team Composition
Statistics

to name a few that have changed over time.

So, here's the premise.

You are the commissioner of baseball (or even a higher power), and you enjoy the game of baseball, but are bothered by some aspect(s) of the current game. You have the power granted to you by Net54 to make your case about your concern with the current game and what you would do to fix it, either by rule change or any other means.

Therefore the primary focus of a post is to delineate your complaint or displeasure and then propose a change to address or alleviate that problem.

In other words, "I don't like the designated hitter." , would not be appropriate,
but if you add "Shoot all designated hitters." that would be okay, I guess.

You may also comment on another member's suggestion, perhaps to amplify unintended consequences of the change suggested, or just to tell him you think he's a dirtbag (my apologies in advance to any Long Beach State alumni, who no doubt are proud of their Dirtbags?).

In fact despite this rather longwinded post, there are in reality few if any rules that can be broken.

Unlikely, but if we tend to agree on a way to change the game for the better, who knows what could happen.

Rest assured though that any transmission, reproduction or publication of the forthcoming suggested changes is prohibited without the express written consent of Leon Luckey.

Have at it.

[bnorth]

This one is easy for me. All stadiums are to be indoor, no more of this playing baseball outside BS.

I live out in the middle of nowhere. I used to make the 600 mile round trip several times a year to go to games in Minneapolis. Yes the Twins suck but it is by far the closest place to watch games. When they built that insanely stupid outside stadium I quit watching and going to games.

This year is the first time I have enjoyed watching games again so I figured I would go see the Yankees play the Twins recently. It took about 10 minutes to remember why I hated outside stadiums. It was hot, humid and miserable out. The Dome was old but there was going to be a game and it was going to be 70 degrees and beautiful. I am sure many players would agree with me.

[Snapolit1]

Games just take too long. Make the game 7 innings.

I love movies too, but wont go see a movie that is three and a half hours long.

[Peter_Spaeth]

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/p...ramirez-060817

[Section103]

Batters are not allowed to leave the box once they have entered.

5 seconds of dead time is set for batter/coach and pitcher/catcher to relay signs and then play is on. Pitcher then has 5-10 seconds to pitch, pitch out or other.

Each team gets 3 pitchers per 9 innings. 1 additional pitcher for 2 extra innings.

Pete Rose is banned for life and banned for life a second time in case of reincarnation or resurrection.

[KMayUSA6060]

For the game of baseball...

Bring back collisions and intentional walks.

For the fans...

No cell phone usage during play.

[KCRfan1]

I would reduce the number of teams. This should weed out lesser talent, and increase the level of play, making the game more enjoyable.

[hysell]

Real simple fix to the time of games! Call strikes as they are in the book, if you cant, get some one who can? We have replay for most bad calls, now! Need the strike zone called !

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Section103

Batters are not allowed to leave the box once they have entered.

This actually IS a rule...it just never gets enforced!

[Tom S.]

Games take too long now, especially when there are so many calls to the bullpen being made.

To help speed up the pace, they should eliminate the reliever from taking the 8 or so warmup pitches he throws before he faces the batter. Isn't the 5 to 10 minutes he was throwing in the bullpen beforehand enough of a warmup?

[cardsfan73]

The game has changed for sure, but I still love it just the same.

I remember being a kid in the early 80s and having the old timers tell me how bad the game was now compared to the good old days.

I am sure kids now will do the same when they grow up.

[BleedinBlue]

The expansion of the rosters in September is a joke. Limit the number of eligible players each day to 25. Enough of the 40 eligible players. I'm tired of seeing games with 20 total pitchers appearing.

Solution: each manager must submit his 25 player lineup card (out of the expanded rostered players) at the start of the game. Only those 25 are eligible for that game. This will still allow for deeper benches and bullpens since the 4 idle starting pitchers will obviously not be on the card. And resting or dinged players can take a day off and have their spot filled as well.

[BleedinBlue]

Originally Posted by Tom S.

Games take too long now, especially when there are so many calls to the bullpen being made.

To help speed up the pace, they should eliminate the reliever from taking the 8 or so warmup pitches he throws before he faces the batter. Isn't the 5 to 10 minutes he was throwing in the bullpen beforehand enough of a warmup?

Pitchers will argue the mounds are different and they need to take a few pitches to get it to their liking.

[BleedinBlue]

Shoot the DH's. It will never happen but I'd endorse it.

Alternatively, switch when the DH is used in interleague games. Use the DH in NL parks and make the pitcher swing in AL Stadiums. Let the fans see the other style of play in person.

[triwak]

One small, but not insignificant rule change: All base runners score on a Ground Rule Double. I'm sick of the offense getting screwed, by having to send the runner originally on first base back to third!

[JollyElm]

For the love of freakin' God, when a pitched ball hits the ground on the way to the plate, leave it in the game. Throw it back to the pitcher and keep using it!!!! Do not immediately take the ball out of play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It hasn't been cut in half. It's not dented. It doesn't suddenly have a killer virus on it. It simply has a speck of dirt on it. That's it. What the hell is wrong with the MLB????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Butch7999]

No domes. Open-air ballparks only.
No artificial turf. Real grass only.
No tediously long commercial breaks. One minute maximum between each half-inning except the 7th.
No Major League teams in Florida or Arizona. Those states are for spring training. Support your minor-league team.
No view-obscuring netting around the whole damn ballpark. Get off the cellphone and pay attention to the game.
No DHs. Pitchers learn to hit or get pulled for a PH. Nobody pitches more than three innings at time now anyways.
No extended warm-ups for relief pitchers. Three-pitch warm-up limit after entering game from bullpen.
No yard-wide strike zone. If it ain't over the plate it ain't a strike.
No pajama pants. Sanis and stirrups for everybody.
No gloves bigger than a bushel basket. Ten-inch limit on all gloves and mitts.
No Duck Dynasty beards, no billygoat beardlets, no Wall Street yuppie stubble. Moustaches and sideburns of any size or style okay.
No bat-flipping. Flip a bat after getting a hit and an opponent is allowed to throw a bat at you from ten feet away.
No sushi, champagne, kale, calamari, wine coolers, or any of that trendy crap at the concessions.
Hot dogs, burgers, pizza, beef on weck, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, beer, and cola only, all priced reasonably.

----------------------------------------

Upon further review (one day later):
Forgot to add three things to our original post -- "No regular-season interleague play," as many others have since said;
and "No extra charge for scorecard and pencil -- both are freebies with purchase of reasonably-priced game programme;"
and we left "Ice cream" off our list of of acceptable concession items, preferably the flavourless little styrofoam-pellet ice cream
served in those little plastic collectible souvenir batting helmets.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by BleedinBlue

Pitchers will argue the mounds are different and they need to take a few pitches to get it to their liking.

Give them 3 pitches. No warm up pitches between innings. Limit time between pitches. No stopping the game to go to mound for players or manager. Manager hits button to change pitchers. Limit number of pitching changes (soccer has limited substitutions, why not baseball?). No throwing the ball around infield after outs. Limit commercial time between innings. There is a 12 second rule between pitches, enforce it. If the pitcher doesn't release the ball in 12 seconds, it's a ball. If the batter isn't in the box, it's a strike. Baseball games used to be under 2 hours, now over 3 hours. They need to speed up play so most games are done in 2 hours.

[barrysloate]

Get rid of all the noise added to entertain the fans. Used to be you could go to a game with a friend and talk baseball while you watched. Last time I went to Yankee Stadium it was so loud I couldn't hear my friend at all, and at some point just gave up trying to have a conversation.

If the powers that be think that the game itself isn't interesting enough, then something is clearly wrong.

[BengoughingForAwhile]

During all even numbered innings batters will run the bases in a clockwise direction, thus negating the current advantage that left handed hitters have being closer to first base.

[Jason Carota]

- Make interleague games Spring Training only.
- Eliminate lefty/righty specialists that come in to face one batter.
- ENFORCE the rule that keeps batters in the box
- No more "alternate jerseys." Home whites, road grays only.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I think Butch and Barry hit on all the best points! I would also drop inter-league play, there is just not as much excitement heading into the World Series.

I also love college football but the electronic noise at games drives me crazy! The SEC even has a rule that now prohibits or limits the visiting school from bringing their bands!!! Of course I would also lobby for an addition to football rosters in the programs where they add the players arrest record.

Back to baseball I would also ban anyone from collecting cards or memorabilia that do not know the history of the game or simply collect for investment. Just my two cents.

Now I have to finish getting ready to head to Little Rock for today's SABR meeting.

[SmokyBurgess]

Originally Posted by KCRfan1

I would reduce the number of teams. This should weed out lesser talent, and increase the level of play, making the game more enjoyable.

That would be my first move too. Less teams, better pitching...thus taking care of the length of games,

[frankbmd]

I sort of thought I wasn't alone with ideas to improve the game and appreciate all the suggestions. One topic that hasn't been addressed directly though is the increasing number of strikeouts and the apparent increase in non-PED home runs.

The strike out issue is largely due to the nine man bullpen of 100MPH relievers who can no longer pitch more than one inning.

The home run issue may be related as well to pitch speed, as the 500 foot fungo is as yet unheard of (I think).

Both the strike out and the home run render the fielders superfluous, which raises several possible rule changes.

1. Increase the weight of the ball, which would slow down the pitching, decrease the strikeouts and the home runs. Not sure how much weight to add, but taken to the extreme I can't envision a bowling ball leaving the infield, let alone clearing the fence.

As a corollary I would add decreasing the weight of the ball, which would have the same effect as in Wiffle Ball.

2. Alternatively make the strike out a strategic decision. Every inning or half inning if you will. If a batter strikes out, the team in the field must remove one fielder for the remainder of the inning. Two strike outs and two fielders must sit. And a three strikeout inning would result in the reduction of a fielder for the remainder of the game. (Rules similar to the penalty box and game misconduct in hockey.)

[bnorth]

I would like to add the unbalanced schedule.

[tiger8mush]

I think Little League is more "pure" than MLB. Enough 25 man rosters. You get 15. Thats right, it means your pitchers are also positional players and batters.

[callou2131]

Pitchers must face at Least 6 batters except for the case of injury. If a picther leaves early because of injury and doesnt face 6 batters, automatic 10 day DL

[Buythatcard]

1. Get rid of DH
2. AL & NL will play by the same rules
3. No more inter league play. The only time the AL will play the NL is during the All Star games and the World Series.
4. Players can not wear earrings or gold chains during a game.
5. Any player who gets hit by a pitch cannot charge the mound. Take it like a man.
6. Place a cap on salaries.

[sedin26]

Expand the DH to the national league!

[mr2686]

Some interesting ideas gentlemen, but a lot of them are not going to happen with Player and Umpire unions involved. I mean, can you imagine the argument over player service time and whether or not being on the 40 man roster vs being on a 25 man eligible to play in a game roster counted towards free agency?
Bud Selig tried a few things, some worked and some did not. Having the all star game winning team have home field advantage during the WS did not, but having the wildcard, in my mind, made for a much more exciting pennant race especially this year when a couple of division races are all but done.
With all that said, the game is just too long these days, and people don't have the time or patience to watch the whole thing. Limit the amount of times a batter can leave the box, limit the time between pitches, and limit the amount of throws to each base by the pitcher...maybe 3 over to first. That would make it more strategic rather than boring.

[clydepepper]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH BASEBALL

Most of what I will said has already been said:

1.) Reduce the number of teams - start with the Florida teams.
(the state of Florida should go back to spring training only)
...as others have already stated, reducing the number of teams will also solve the 'too many pitchers pitching' issue and there bye remove the very worst hurlers from the bigs - plus, by not having so many pitchers available, there will be far less pitching changes...which, IMHO, is the biggest thing dragging out game times.

2.) Get rid of interleague games if for no other reason than what it does to certain statistics: For example, is the American League Batting Champion legit if he hits .400 in interleague games while the second place batter hits only .200? Box scores showing a players home run total or a pitchers win-loss record is separated if the player is traded from one league to another, but the same adjustment isn't made for interleague games they may have played.

By getting rid of the interleague games, the 'purity' will return of whatever world series matchup results -IE you won't have two teams who have faced each other for home-and-home series already. It used to be fun to try to figure out how different teams would do against each other.

3.) For the playoffs, never again have a one-game play-in. Teams in each league should be seeded according to overall Win-Loss record. Additionally, the team with the best overall record should host the World Series. This will make the long schedule carry weight again...and every game will again be important.

4.) Suspensions for failed drug test should START with a full season suspension.

5.) Instead of reducing the number of games from 162 to whatever, start having at least one double-header per team per week. That will allow for more off days...and we won't have to worry about the 'Popovich Effect' coming to Baseball.

6.) Chewing tobacco needs to be banned from the Big Leagues - Call it The Tony Gwynn Initiative.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

WHAT IS WRONG WITH BASEBALL

Most of what I will said has already been said:

1.) Reduce the number of teams - start with the Florida teams.
(the state of Florida should go back to spring training only)
...as others have already stated, reducing the number of teams will also solve the 'too many pitchers pitching' issue and there bye remove the very worst hurlers from the bigs - plus, by not having so many pitchers available, there will be far less pitching changes...which, IMHO, is the biggest thing dragging out game times.

2.) Get rid of interleague games if for no other reason than what it does to certain statistics: For example, is the American League Batting Champion legit if he hits .400 in interleague games while the second place batter hits only .200? Box scores showing a players home run total or a pitchers win-loss record is separated if the player is traded from one league to another, but the same adjustment isn't made for interleague games they may have played.

By getting rid of the interleague games, the 'purity' will return of whatever world series matchup results -IE you won't have two teams who have faced each other for home-and-home series already. It used to be fun to try to figure out how different teams would do against each other.

3.) For the playoffs, never again have a one-game play-in. Teams in each league should be seeded according to overall Win-Loss record. Additionally, the team with the best overall record should host the World Series. This will make the long schedule carry weight again...and every game will again be important.

4.) Suspensions for failed drug test should START with a full season suspension.

5.) Instead of reducing the number of games from 162 to whatever, start having at least one double-header per team per week. That will allow for more off days...and we won't have to worry about the 'Popovich Effect' coming to Baseball.

6.) Chewing tobacco needs to be banned from the Big Leagues - Call it The Tony Gwynn Initiative.

I agree and forgot to mention in my post that I HATE interleague play. A WS with two teams that have already met during the season is just wrong.

[56Horsehide]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

For the love of freakin' God, when a pitched ball hits the ground on the way to the plate, leave it in the game. Throw it back to the pitcher and keep using it!!!! Do not immediately take the ball out of play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It hasn't been cut in half. It's not dented. It doesn't suddenly have a killer virus on it. It simply has a speck of dirt on it. That's it. What the hell is wrong with the MLB????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with this 100%. How much time is being spent (a) throwing balls to the dugouts (rather than back to the pitcher); (b) the umpire signaling for more baseballs; (c) the bat boy running out to the umpire; (d) the umpire giving the ball to the catcher to throw out to the pitcher; (e) pitcher rubs the new ball; etc. When I was a kid we used the same ball for multiple seasons. Does anyone know how many baseballs are used by all 30 teams in a single season?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by 56Horsehide

Does anyone know how many baseballs are used by all 30 teams in a single season?

1.26 million, that includes batting/fielding practice and games. That is the estimate I found.

[Tom S.]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Get rid of all the noise added to entertain the fans. Used to be you could go to a game with a friend and talk baseball while you watched. Last time I went to Yankee Stadium it was so loud I couldn't hear my friend at all, and at some point just gave up trying to have a conversation.

If the powers that be think that the game itself isn't interesting enough, then something is clearly wrong.

+1 At least MLB hasn't gone as far as the NBA with allowing artificial noise to be pumped in during play...yet.

[vintagebb2014]

+1

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by bnorth

1.26 million, that includes batting/fielding practice and games. That is the estimate I found.

Ben, that's only 42,000 balls per team. Are you sure?

Hell, today the balls are replaced before the "spit" dries.

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

I think Little League is more "pure" than MLB. Enough 25 man rosters. You get 15. Thats right, it means your pitchers are also positional players and batters.

Ironically 25 man rosters are compromising, since the introduction of the 8-9 man bullpen of one inning (one batter) pitchers. Rarely is a bench player available in extra inning games as a result.

[savedfrommyspokes]

Eliminate commercial breaks when a pitching change occurs during an inning. If the manager walks out of the dugout and signals, the pitcher can jog in within less than 15 seconds. I can throw 8 warm up pitches (to get used to the mound) in less than 30 seconds. 45 seconds should be enough time. Next time you are at a game, watch how much time gets killed by the pitcher waiting for the commercial break to end after a pitching change. These pitching change commercials run about 1 min 50 sec each. Eliminate five during the inning pitching change commercials in a single game and that would save 5 or so extra minutes per game.

Obviously the lost revenue would be a concern for MLB/the teams. Easy, on air announcers already promote products/services during the telecast (for a cost), let that occur during pitching changes. Also, on mlb.tv, on most of my devices, there is no commercial playing(some devices there are though)....why not sell more commercial time on mlb.tv to compensate for the "lost" revenue from not showing commercials during pitching changes.

Of course, if both pitchers are throwing great games or all of the pitching changes occur between innings, there is no revenue from this commercial time anyway. Then again, games with few if any pitching changes are the quick games.

[Huysmans]

The NUMBER ONE easiest way to make an afternoon watching baseball more enjoyable?
Turn the channel to hockey.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by bnorth

This one is easy for me. All stadiums are to be indoor, no more of this playing baseball outside BS.

I live out in the middle of nowhere. I used to make the 600 mile round trip several times a year to go to games in Minneapolis. Yes the Twins suck but it is by far the closest place to watch games. When they built that insanely stupid outside stadium I quit watching and going to games.

This year is the first time I have enjoyed watching games again so I figured I would go see the Yankees play the Twins recently. It took about 10 minutes to remember why I hated outside stadiums. It was hot, humid and miserable out. The Dome was old but there was going to be a game and it was going to be 70 degrees and beautiful. I am sure many players would agree with me.

Ok, you go to games in the new "wussy fans and teams" league, and I'll keep going to Fenway in the also new "weather? who cares" league. OUR world series will be against the winner of the "it's a nice day to play two" league hopefully against Chicago.

We might even move our league to play in months with snow or sleet and see if we can't give the NFL some competition for winter TV money.


Steve B

[Troy Kirk]

Make all outfield fences 600 feet from home plate. That would make all hitters earn their hits. You'd see some amazing catches too. For those that have to see home runs go over fences, create a parallel home run derby league.

[Bill77]

Make the players run in all of their extra protection gear. If you can't run in it don't wear it.

[EvilKing00]

Get rid of the new colision at home plate rule and go back to what it was.

Get rid of interleague play. Watching mets vs seattle isnt just boarimg but it means nothing.

Go back to how the ball was made a few years ago. This new ball isnt good for anyone. Having everyone hitting 20 or more hr is silly.

The 10day dl is dumb, 14 day dl is better. Makes a team think more before putting a player on it

If interleague is kept- i like what another poster said about dh. Having a dh in nl parks and pitchers hit in al ones.

All star game voting must change. Me being able to vote 30x for a player on line for each ip address i have is crazy.

[Rhotchkiss]

Allow only 2 relievers and starting pitchers must pitch at least 6 innings. What happened to the days when Nolan Ryan or Mike Scott would pitch all 9 innings and then start again 3 days later?

[PiratesWS1979]

Keep the replay but stop the open communication to your own replay booth. If the managers, coaches and players on the field can't decide to ask for a replay...then you don't need a replay.

[SAllen2556]

1. Go back to a 154 game schedule.

2. Limit mound visits by catchers, pitching coaches, and managers, and reduce the number of warm up pitches by a reliever to one. (Why does the manager need to go to the mound for a pitching change? Save it for Little League.)

4. To reduce strikeouts, change the definition of a check swing back to the 60's when a batter had much more leeway. (Watch an old game on you tube and you'll see the difference.)

5. Remove pitch counts from the graphics presented on TV, and fine any announcer who mentions the specific number of pitches thrown by a pitcher. (The obsession with pitch counts borders on the insane.)

6. No female announcers. (Oh my god, what a bigot! )

7. Make every fan who wants indoor baseball attend a game at Fenway Park.

8. Somehow better reward the team with the best record in each league when it comes time for the playoffs - more home games or a bye for an entire round - something more substantial. I want it extremely difficult for a wild card team to win the World Series.

[Mountaineer1999]

Homeruns!!! We need more homeruns!! Shorten the fences to 300ft at all parks so we get more Homeruns! Every at bat should be a homerun or strikeout, I think we are all tired if those pesky singles!
Why not more Jerry Jones style Jumbotrons? Suspend them right over 2nd base so we can see the advertisments a little more clearly! Baseball needs more advertisers for a capital infusion, players are just not making enough money so they are not really trying to hit homeruns!
Hell, if a player hits the Dennys Jumbotron, HOMERUN!

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by SAllen2556

7. Make every fan who wants indoor baseball attend a game at Fenway Park.

As one of those wussies that would love to see all stadiums become indoor, attending a game at Fenway Park is on my bucket list. Sitting on the green monster is a dream seat to me.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Games just take too long. Make the game 7 innings.

I love movies too, but wont go see a movie that is three and a half hours long.

The problem with this is that it would take many records out of context. My counterproposal, if we're really worried about it is to make the count of two strikes and three balls the standard. While strikeouts as a historical measure would become less relevant, the 3000 strikeout plateau is no longer hallowed ground.

[pitchernut]

1. Start the season on Memorial day, start the playoffs Labor day.
2. Terminate the DH with extreme prejudice.
3. One "timeout" per team per inning.
4. Make the batter stay in the box once entered unless contact is made with the
ball, make the pitcher stay on the mound until the batter makes contact with ball.