Improving the game suggestions

[Can_of_corn]

3 minutes ago, big_sparxx said:

Why cant we have better pitchers overall? Shouldn't that be the goal? 

Pitchers just aren't as effecitve over longer outings.  Forcing them to pitch longer isn't going to change that.  They'll adapt to the heavier workload but they won't magically be as good over three innings as they used to be over one.

[DrungoHazewood]

1 hour ago, big_sparxx said:

Why cant we have better pitchers overall? Shouldn't that be the goal? 

Since we have the best pitchers of all time now, I'm not sure how much room there is for immediate improvement.

[DrungoHazewood]

1 hour ago, Can_of_corn said:

Pitchers just aren't as effecitve over longer outings.  Forcing them to pitch longer isn't going to change that.  They'll adapt to the heavier workload but they won't magically be as good over three innings as they used to be over one.

I'm good with limiting teams to eight pitchers on the roster.  But I understand that to do that you need to make a series of other changes including deadening the ball, making bats heavier, and perhaps making the parks bigger.

And I also anticipate some teams going to a system where everyone throws 2-3 innings every 2-3 days to continue to get the advantages of short outings.

It's hard to get around the fact that the optimal pitcher usage appears to be largely anonymous pitchers throwing a handful of innings a week as hard as possible.

[HowAboutThat]

2 hours ago, big_sparxx said:

I don't think guys should be rewarded for hitting foul balls. I remember Keith Hernandez saying one time that you only get one real good chance per ab. Not that I necessarily agree with that idea... but with variable strike zones, I'd like to see pitchers get an out and keep their PCs down.

Mercy rules are dumb... but getting down 5+ runs is also dumb..

 

I remember the 30 to 3 game, and at the time I was a Rangers fan and I remember feeling terrible for the Orioles, and being furious at Ron Washington for not clearing his bench. Afterwards he spewed some BS about how it’s important to play hard and other nonsense, but he should still be ashamed of himself. However, it is true that if the team is scoring 30 runs it’s up to us to stop them.

[big_sparxx]

9 minutes ago, Philip said:

I remember the 30 to 3 game, and at the time I was a Rangers fan and I remember feeling terrible for the Orioles, and being furious at Ron Washington for not clearing his bench. Afterwards he spewed some BS about how it’s important to play hard and other nonsense, but he should still be ashamed of himself. However, it is true that if the team is scoring 30 runs it’s up to us to stop them.

The reality is that a game where a team gets blown out really does 2 things:

1) Fans leave the park or if watching on TV change the channel.

2) By the 7th inning what are you achieving in a blowout? 

In basketball or football (pro) tv stations will change to a more competitive game.

[big_sparxx]

36 minutes ago, DrungoHazewood said:

Since we have the best pitchers of all time now, I'm not sure how much room there is for immediate improvement.

I disagree... I think for the game to improve we need less specialist pitchers, more hitters who can hit to the opposite field (defeats the shift), and more chances to get guys chances to improve in all aspects of the game. The game is so.... meh nowadays.

[big_sparxx]

39 minutes ago, DrungoHazewood said:

I'm good with limiting teams to eight pitchers on the roster.  But I understand that to do that you need to make a series of other changes including deadening the ball, making bats heavier, and perhaps making the parks bigger.

And I also anticipate some teams going to a system where everyone throws 2-3 innings every 2-3 days to continue to get the advantages of short outings.

It's hard to get around the fact that the optimal pitcher usage appears to be largely anonymous pitchers throwing a handful of innings a week as hard as possible.

The idea actually came from the non designated starter idea that has popped up in recent times. I'd rather have 5 or 6 guys who can pitch 3 innings than a guy who can only come in against left handed hitters.

Edited February 11, 2021 by big_sparxx

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, big_sparxx said:

I disagree... I think for the game to improve we need less specialist pitchers, more hitters who can hit to the opposite field (defeats the shift), and more chances to get guys chances to improve in all aspects of the game. The game is so.... meh nowadays.

Why hit to the opposite field when you can pull the ball over the fence?  As a hitter I would much rather hit a dong than a single to the opposite field.

I remember reading one of the launch swing guys talking about this, maybe it was Donaldson.  He said the old school idea hit was the line drive up the middle.  Why do I want to do that?  It's a single. 

You know what else beats the shift?  Hitting it over the wall.  They can't shift into the seats.

[big_sparxx]

8 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Why hit to the opposite field when you can pull the ball over the fence?  As a hitter I would much rather hit a dong than a single to the opposite field.

I remember reading one of the launch swing guys talking about this, maybe it was Donaldson.  He said the old school idea hit was the line drive up the middle.  Why do I want to do that?  It's a single. 

You know what else beats the shift?  Hitting it over the wall.  They can't shift into the seats.

and that idea has given us Chris Davis... sorry... but home runs are great... but if I can get disciplined guys who can drive a pitch, get on base more and hit the occasional home run... I'll go with that 9 times out of 10.

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, big_sparxx said:

and that idea has given us Chris Davis... sorry... but home runs are great... but if I can get disciplined guys who can drive a pitch, get on base more and hit the occasional home run... I'll go with that 9 times out of 10.

Don't blame the launch angle revolution for Chris Davis.

[Sports Guy]

It’s the same argument in the NBA..the mid range and long 2 is a dinosaur.  Why shoot it?  Layups/dunks, free throws and 3s.  Anything else is a pointless shot.

 

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Sports Guy said:

It’s the same argument in the NBA..the mid range and long 2 is a dinosaur.  Why shoot it?  Layups/dunks, free throws and 3s.  Anything else is a pointless shot.

 

[HowAboutThat]

1 hour ago, big_sparxx said:

The reality is that a game where a team gets blown out really does 2 things:

1) Fans leave the park or if watching on TV change the channel.

2) By the 7th inning what are you achieving in a blowout? 

In basketball or football (pro) tv stations will change to a more competitive game.

So? The game is played. 9 innings. 30-3 or 20-0, nine innings.

[Frobby]

2 minutes ago, Philip said:

So? The game is played. 9 innings. 30-3 or 20-0, nine innings.

Lest anyone forget, the 30-3 game was the first game of a doubleheader.    Considering the score, it actually wasn’t that long of a game (3:21).    The nightcap, which the Orioles also lost (9-7), actually took a few minutes longer (3:28).    I was there, and stayed to the bitter end, which arrived at 12:29 am.    And then I had to catch an early morning flight to — Dallas!   What a brutal experience.  

[HowAboutThat]

34 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Lest anyone forget, the 30-3 game was the first game of a doubleheader.    Considering the score, it actually wasn’t that long of a game (3:21).    The nightcap, which the Orioles also lost (9-7), actually took a few minutes longer (3:28).    I was there, and stayed to the bitter end, which arrived at 12:29 am.    And then I had to catch an early morning flight to — Dallas!   What a brutal experience.  

I had forgotten about that, I was so disgusted with Ron Washington I didn’t pay much attention to the next game, and I guess I forgot it happened at all. I don’t remember his post game speech exactly but it was basically, “our jobs the score runs, their job is to stop us.”I had forgotten about that, I was so disgusted with Ron Washington I didn’t pay much attention to the next game, and I guess I forgot it happened at all. I don’t remember his post game speech exactly but it was basically, “our jobs to score runs, their job is to stop us.”