Banning the shift.........taking back baseball from the stat geeks and having a more entertaining game.

[Frobby]

As I’ve said elsewhere, my feelings about this are mixed.  In principle, it bugs me that teams can’t strategically place their fielders wherever they want, and that one-dimensional hitters will benefit from this.   In practice, I’ll probably enjoy seeing games with more runners on base.   So, I’m taking a wait and see approach.  Ask me in a year what I think and I may love it or hate it.  

[Gurgi]

9 minutes ago, Frobby said:

As I’ve said elsewhere, my feelings about this are mixed.  In principle, it bugs me that teams can’t strategically place their fielders wherever they want, and that one-dimensional hitters will benefit from this.   In practice, I’ll probably enjoy seeing games with more runners on base.   So, I’m taking a wait and see approach.  Ask me in a year what I think and I may love it or hate it.  

I think if we see averages jump a good amount you will love it.

[owknows]

1 minute ago, Gurgi said:

I think if we see averages jump a good amount you will love it.

I'm sure we'd see averages jump quite a bit if we banned pitches that exceed 85 mph.

I wouldn't love that either.

[Can_of_corn]

51 minutes ago, Gurgi said:

I am not so sure.  Next year will be very important to figuring out what is really going on with the tweny point drop in league averages.   

I think they banned sticky tack for pitchers in an attempt to slow spin rates and I guess lessen strikeouts.   How is that working out I dont actually know.   Are strikeout rates down at all this year?

And I dont think the athleticism of the defensive players is a huge part of the equation.  

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/home-runs-strikeouts-and-low-averages-are-trending-throughout-baseball/

That's just in the last 20 years.

I do think that the average fielder is more proficient at creating outs now than they were say back in the '80's.  Dunk on the DJ Stewarts of the world but he's still superior to the Larry Sheets of old.  Teams used to pin a glove onto the hand of a recently deceased hobo and stick them at third.  Not very many guys out there that are flat out liabilities on defense anymore.

[ChosenOne21]

1 hour ago, Gurgi said:

Well at least I expect a league rise in batting averages next year.   At least ten points.....maybe fifteen.....twenty points would shock me but it would be welcomed my me.  

I lived my life expecting league average batting to be around .260-.264.   This year it is .245.  That is just horrible product for the consumer.  

So baseball is a horrible product this year, but if there were 1.5-2% more hits baseball wouldn't be boring?

We're talking about maybe one more hit per game here. 

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Gurgi said:

I think if we see averages jump a good amount you will love it.

Do you think the shift is causing a significant drop in batting averages?  Not many pure pull hitters out there.  Teams are still going to use analytics to position guys.

I think having Machado make a great play down the right field line is a lot more entertaining than watching a Chris Davis try and yank every pitch over the first base bag.

How is this not exciting baseball?

 

[Frobby]

That was such an amazing play by Manny.  He’ll probably make amazing plays wherever the hell you put him.  

[owknows]

4 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Do you think the shift is causing a significant drop in batting averages?  Not many pure pull hitters out there.  Teams are still going to use analytics to position guys.

I think having Machado make a great play down the right field line is a lot more entertaining than watching a Chris Davis try and yank every pitch over the first base bag.

How is this not exciting baseball?

 

The obvious answer is to tie every player's feet together with exactly 28 inches of rope.

 

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, owknows said:

The obvious answer is to tie every player's feet together with exactly 28 inches of rope.

 

I say we take away the glove.

[owknows]

4 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I say we take away the glove.

make them wear wooden gloves

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, owknows said:

make them wear wooden gloves

I can just see Hays going on the IL with splinters.

[owknows]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

I can just see Hays going on the IL with splinters.

You win the thread.

[Lurker]

I've never considered baseball to be boring, particularly if one understands and appreciates the nuances of the game.

Whether MLB changes the baseball year to year, or introduces rule changes (for whatever justification) is ultimately irrelevant to me as a fan.

The big question to me is:  What problem(s) (real or perceived) is MLB trying to solve by all of this tinkering?

Is it to reduce player injuries?

Is it control of player compensation? (IE: Using a live or dead ball for a given season affecting ERA or BA.)

Is it improving in person attendance at games?

Is it increasing TV revenue or advertising revenue?

I'm not clear what problems all of the recent tinkering is trying to fix?

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Lurker said:

I've never considered baseball to be boring, particularly if one understands and appreciates the nuances of the game.

Whether MLB changes the baseball year to year, or introduces rule changes (for whatever justification) is ultimately irrelevant to me as a fan.

The big question to me is:  What problem(s) (real or perceived) is MLB trying to solve by all of this tinkering?

Is it to reduce player injuries?

Is it control of player compensation? (IE: Using a live or dead ball for a given season affecting ERA or BA.)

Is it improving in person attendance at games?

Is it increasing TV revenue or advertising revenue?

I'm not clear what problems all of the recent tinkering is trying to fix?

I am 100% in favor of the pitch clock.

That is dead time getting removed.

 

[Lurker]

1 minute ago, Can_of_corn said:

I am 100% in favor of the pitch clock.

That is dead time getting removed.

 

I've no problem with that.

However, I'm still not certain what problem (potentially) shaving 15 or 20 minutes off a game is going to solve? More people in the park? More eyeballs on the TV? More opportunities to run commercials?

What problem is this solving for MLB?