Rule changes, work stoppage, Offseason changes, Pitch Clock, New Uniforms

[Mitchrapp]

They're being tested now..

Specifically:
The mound will be moved back two feet to 62?6″;
Larger bases will be used (18″ instead of 15″);
Defensive shifts will be banned;
A radar-enabled strike zone will be employed (robot umps!);
Time between innings and pitching changes reduced from 2:05 to 1:45
Three batter minimum for pitchers entering a game; and
There will be no mound visits unless a pitcher is removed from the game or for medical issues.

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2019/03/0...-back-two-feet-in-atlantic-league-experiment/

 

[tinselwolverine]

Banning defensive shifts doesn’t make any sense-in every other sport, a team can set its defenseive alignment based on its own perception of their strategic advantage.

It’s as stupid as not allowing the infield to play in or deep but rather force the infield to play at medium depth, and the same could be said for the outfield. It’s like not allowing a first baseman to decide to hold the runner or play behind him. It’s like dictating which middle infielder must cover second base and an attempted steal from first.

The three batter minimum per pitching change also doesn’t make sense-why should that strategy be taken away from a manager?

If they wanna speed the game up they should enforce the rule that I believe already exists about the limit of time a pitcher has before pitching.

 

[tomdalton22]

All are reasonable with the exception of moving the mound back and eliminating the shift.

 

[tinselwolverine]

All are reasonable with the exception of moving the mound back and eliminating the shift.

Yes I didn?t mention it but the mound moving doesn?t make a lot of sense to me.

I still contend the three picture hitter requirement for relief pitchers is a change that was so radically alter the strategy of the way the game is played that it makes it literally a different game.

Designated hitter rule did that to a degree, and I?m still not crazy about the designated hitter, even though the game survived, but the three hitter minimum for relief pictures would change the game even more.

 

[tomdalton22]

Yes I didn?t mention it but the mound moving doesn?t make a lot of sense to me.

I still contend the three picture hitter requirement for relief pitchers is a change that was so radically alter the strategy of the way the game is played that it makes it literally a different game.

Designated hitter rule did that to a degree, and I?m still not crazy about the designated hitter, even though the game survived, but the three hitter minimum for relief pictures would change the game even more.

I'm pretty sure the rule will be a reliever has to face 3 batters or until the inning ends. I really like this rule. I get tired of seeing 7 different relievers in the late innings just based on lefty/righty matchups.

 

[tinselwolverine]

I'm pretty sure the rule will be a reliever has to face 3 batters or until the inning ends. I really like this rule. I get tired of seeing 7 different relievers in the late innings just based on lefty/righty matchups.

But that inner chess game is one of the best parts of the game.

 

[Mitchrapp]

3 batters minimum would probably mean pitchers lose some of their value. Left handed specialist, for example. And I don't see teams keeping the same numbers of pitchers on a squad. Even with the added 26th man.


Plus how about a 5-1 lead, setup guy comes in and gives up 2 hits the closer can't come in right away.

 

[tomdalton22]

I love the rule. I get sick and tired of managers bringing in pitcher after pitcher just to face one batter.

 

[biggunsbob]

I like the idea of moving the mound back. Guys are a lot bigger and stronger then 125 years ago. My rule changes would be .

1. I like Movring the mound back.
2. larger bases are fine.
3. Defensive shits are fine.
4. Dh in both leagues our pitchers batting. Pick on and make NL and AL the same.
5. I like the 1:45 in between innings .
6. Robot umps are still years Way. Probably never happen.
7. Not sure about the 3 batter minimum.
8. Mound visits. Idk.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I like the idea of moving the mound back. Guys are a lot bigger and stronger then 125 years ago. My rule changes would be .

That works on both side of the ball. I just feel like when rule changes are made it's always seems pro batter. That the pitchers get screw somehow.

If a pull hitter can't figure out a shift then that's on them.

 

[tomdalton22]

I don't like the idea of moving the mound back. It's the same in every other level of baseball (except little league)

 

[Mitchrapp]

All your life you're used to 60 feet 6 inches and now they want to change it. I could just see curveballs coming up short and backdoor sliders because they're used to a certain distance. I am curious about one thing how much speed does a fastball lose by an extra 2 feet. Or would they get faster?

 

[tinselwolverine]

That works on both side of the ball. I just feel like when rule changes are made it's always seems pro batter. That the pitchers get screw somehow.

If a pull hitter can't figure out a shift then that's on them.

Or know how to bunt even.

The first time a left-handed pull gets a bunt base hit against the shift will be the last time the shift is used against him-at least for a while anyway.

And if somebody eventually ends up using the shift against him?

Get another bunt base hit.

 

[tomdalton22]

All your life you're used to 60 feet 6 inches and now they want to change it. I could just see curveballs coming up short and backdoor sliders because they're used to a certain distance. I am curious about one thing how much speed does a fastball lose by an extra 2 feet. Or would they get faster?

the ball is slowing down the entire way to the plate but the difference would be negligible.

I agree with your assessment of curve balls, sliders, and splitters.

 

[Rebbiv]

2 feet extra for hitters to pick up the spin is huge advantage to the hitters. All of this benefit the hitters. Why? More offense = longer games. Pace of play does not mean less game time.



The difference between today's game and games of past, was that hitters either chocked up or cut down on their swing with two strikes. Same with shifts. Players are unwillingly to change their swing based on game conditions and hit against the shift. So the obvious is that some how the advantages are to the pitchers. I would argue it wouldn't be if the offensive players quit trying to hit homeruns all the time. Or at least learn to hit with two strikes.



You want advantage to the pitchers, then I am all for the "laser ump". Call the strikes as described in the rule book. Very few can catch up to a letter high fastball. And like any rule, it is only as good as it's enforcement.

 

[tigermud]

I'd bet that extra 2 ft will really mess up some of the pitchers too. balls may break sooner or later for some and really throw em off their game. I don't like this two ft proposal how bout start with 2 inches. just because.

 

[Rebbiv]

While we are at it. Let's move bases back an additional 2 feet. Then the fences..do we move them in 25 feet, or move them back 25 feet? How about all walls in the outfield be 20 feet high.


Also, like little league...no taking a lead off of a base. This will cut down on throws over to 1B with a runner on, thus "speeding" up the game. Talk about pace of play killer. You could save probably 15 minutes a game if a pitcher never had to keep the runner close.

 

[grandy]

Not a fan of some of the changes that involve strategy (shifts, three batters, mound visits to some degree), as Rebbiv said it’s clear that offense is at an advantage here.

If they’re moving the mound I think it should be done gradually over 5/10 years, this will require adjustment at all levels (assuming they change the rules at all levels) and the effects should be taken account over time rather than doing it all immediately.

I’m a little surprised they haven’t set rigid dimension standards yet for ballparks, why have pitcher-friendly parks if offense is the future?

 

[kalinecountry]

MLB, MLBPA Agree To Single Trade Deadline, Changes To Roster Size

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/03/mlb-mlbpa-agree-single-trade-deadline-expanded-rosters.html
MLB, MLBPA Agree To Single Trade Deadline, Changes To Roster Size.
MLBTR

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-rules-changes
Rule changes coming this year and next.
Post-July trades eliminated, inning breaks shortened; 3-batter minimum and more in 2020.
MLB.com

https://www.blessyouboys.com/2019/3/14/18265580/mlb-new-rule-changes-relief-pitchers-home-run-derby
MLB announces rule changes for 2019 season.
And you can expect even more changes next season.
BYBTB

https://www.mlb.com/news/all-star-voting-election-day
All-Star voting to culminate in single-day event.
Also, extra innings in ASG will begin with runners on second base.
MLB.com

https://www.mlb.com/news/home-run-derby-winner-million-dollar-award
HR Derby winner to receive $1 million award.
MLB.com

https://expo.mlive.com/sports/g66l-...new-rule-changes-could-affect-the-tigers.html
How today?s new MLB rule changes could affect the Tigers.
Mlive

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...-toward-renegotiating-current-cba/3162620002/
Unprecedented: Union accepts rule changes as first step toward renegotiating current CBA.
Detnews