I have two opposite proposals
A) Go all in on long games, taking a tip from Cricket. Allow flat bats, but a narrower and taller strike zone. Only an inning or two, but everyone bats, and if they aren't out, the player at bat continues batting.
No foul ground, and home plate is made more central in the stadium, allowing easier transition to football, Soccer, or even .... Lacrosse...
That would also make the homerun distance shorter.
But there is a time limit, and if they don't completely finish before that, the game is a tie.
Option B
Go for quicker more economically efficient games. Smaller parks, fewer players.
No catcher, just a rusty old pitchback from the 70's. Major market teams can repaint it and maybe put on a new net.
Very dead balls that can't be hit more than about 125ft or so. Loads of cash could be saved by not having to secure so much valuable real estate.
And since the ball would be kinda squishy, no batting helmets. Or gloves.
And maybe use a small diameter bat....
No set innings, just play until the sun sets, or the managers mom turns off the floodlights.
And maybe...
Darnit! I just invented pro whiffleball....
Nevermind.
|