The Shift being stopped new rule

[RCMcKenzie]

I think MLB wants more baserunners. They don't want Jose Altuve playing in a rover softball position, and scooping up every line-drive, would be single to right, and throwing the guy out at first. I think we will see many left-handed hitters increase their batting averages by 50-80 points next year.

[clydepepper]

Terry Francona posted his regrets for the ban on shifts...and, as much as I dislike them...the disconnect is that hitters have not, and will never, adjust to those shifts and hit the ball the other way.

Those days are gone bye-bye.


Supposedly, the idea behind these changes is to speed up the game and thereby hoping to add excitement.

Instead, batting averages and on-base percentages will continue to drop at a faster and faster rate.


The NEW Curse of the Bambino:

'Damn the Triples, full PULL ahead!


Why not make second base out of whoopie-cushions? Great for head-first slides.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Supposedly, the idea behind these changes is to speed up the game and thereby hoping to add excitement.

Instead, batting averages and on-base percentages will continue to drop at a faster and faster rate.

I'm not sure I follow the logic there. Banning the shift does not speed up the game; if anything it should produce the opposite. Presumably, balls that used to be hits then became outs will now become hits again. How does more baserunners speed up the game, and how do these extra hits make batting averages and on-base percentages drop?

FWIW, I think banning the shift is a dumb idea.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

I think MLB wants more baserunners. They don't want Jose Altuve playing in a rover softball position, and scooping up every line-drive, would be single to right, and throwing the guy out at first. I think we will see many left-handed hitters increase their batting averages by 50-80 points next year.

or can train kids from 12 years old to slap a ball to 50% of the field softly...dont need any launch angle and mph off the bat can be 5 mph and will get a single or double more than 1 out of 3 times

[RCMcKenzie]

I played high school baseball over 35 years ago, and my recollection is that I was lucky just to hit a foul ball. I was trying to hit it up the middle, but today, there would be a dude there behind 2nd base with a glove.


I can only think of a few players that I have seen with enough skill to hit it where they ain't. Carew, Gwynn, Boggs, Rose, Ichiro. Who am I missing?

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by RCMcKenzie

I played high school baseball over 35 years ago, and my recollection is that I was lucky just to hit a foul ball. I was trying to hit it up the middle, but today, there would be a dude there behind 2nd base with a glove.


I can only think of a few players that I have seen with enough skill to hit it where they ain't. Carew, Gwynn, Boggs, Rose, Ichiro. Who am I missing?

The point is that nobody even tries anymore.

They are supposed to be the best at this...and yet, name just one who could 'go op' consistantly.

Freddie Freeman may be the closest in today's game.

[RCMcKenzie]

Freeman is a great hitter. Goldschmidt hits to all fields. He would be a star if he played in New York.

Altuve used to bat .350 with 5 homers and 50 steals. At some point in the middle of his career, he became a dead-pull hitter. .290ish BA, 900 ops, 30 homers, 10 steals.

[1952boyntoncollector]

I just think we dont give enough credit to development

NBA has seen the rise of the 3 point shot when it was said you cant win it all with jump shots as a primary way to win...yet that skill was developed..

having better bat control would be a skill, heck maybe to help it along is you allow the shift for the most innings but not in the 9th inning which would make the 'closers' appear a lot more valuable as you may of seen my posts against most closers not comparing well to starting pitchers for HOF consideration...

[packs]

The two pick off / step offs per at bat is the dumbest rule. How long will it be until people start taking free bases because the pitcher shook a pitch off and wants to reset?