OT – MLB rules changes being tested in Minor Leagues
Let suicide squeeze one more* MLB topic in before the OT season ends.
On Saturday, the MLB Network broadcasted a game between AAA Syracuse Mets and Charlotte Knights (White Sox). The purpose was to highlight to a broader audience some of the rules that are being tested in A, AA, and AAA ball games.
Here is a summary of the changes highlighted in the broadcast and (The Leagues) where they are tested:
Larger Bases (all AAA leagues) – the regular 15” x 15” bags are being replaced with less slippery 18” x 18” bags. This allows for more room for the fielders and runners to share the bag, with the hope of fewer injuries. They do expect more stolen base attempts and a higher success rate.
Limit to Defensive Shifts (all Double-A) – a requirement that all four infielders have their cleats within the outer boundary of the infield dirt when the pitch is delivered. In other words, no more third basement playing rover in right field. The goal is higher batting averages for balls in play.
Pickoff Plays –
- A requirement that pitchers must step off the rubber to attempt a pickoff (all High-A)
- A limit of two pickoff attempts per plate appearance (all Low-A)
By forcing pitchers to fully step off the rubber before attempting a pickoff, the move by left-handed pitchers -- think Andy Pettitte -- to raise the right knee up in the delivery and then throw to first is eliminated. The goal is the increase then number of stolen base attempts and success rate and increase the speed of play.
Pitch Clock (Low A) – A 20-second pitch clock has been in effect in the Double-A and Triple-A levels since 2015, but it can be restarted by stepping off the rubber. The proposed change will be a more aggressive with 15-second pitch clock. Inning breaks and pitching changes will also be timed. With this and fewer pickoff attempts, the games should be shortened.
“Robot Umps” (Low-A) – The automated balls-and-strikes system will finally become a reality in affiliated ball with this experiment, though a human umpire will still be positioned behind home plate. The Hawk-Eye tracking system will be used to deliver an audio signal to the home-plate ump, who will then relay the ball or strike call. The goal here, obviously, is improved accuracy and reduced controversy.
I saw in the game that players can challenge the call, up to a certain number per game. Interesting that it is the players and not the coaches, but makes sense as they are closer to the action.
What are your thoughts on these changes?
(* unless someone wants to post when the Tigers are mathematically eliminated from the play-offs)
August 22nd, 2022 at 8:45 AM ^
Here are my thoughts ~
Bags – the runner is now closer to the bag, but the first baseman is also closer to the thrown ball. I like that there will be fewer collisions, especially when the pitchers cover the bag. The “I just blew out my knee on a wet bag” injury is horrible to watch – even when Bryce Harper does it.
Defense – infielders playing infield? Yes please! I say the players can move around to wherever they want only when there is a keg behind second base.
Pickoffs – gentlemen, start your engines! Stolen bases are exciting. Some pitchers just lob the ball over to first to reset themselves (boring!).
Clocks – I like that the games will get shorter, not that I mind sitting on my couch for 3 hours (like football). Here is my angle: shorter games mean there is likely to be reduced concessions sales, but that is offset by reduced hours paid out to the workers. My bet is the owners see this tradeoff will be a positive impact to their bottom line.
Also, we have seen game times drop as MLB sopped batters from taking off and putting on their batting gloves after each pitch. That was crazy to watch. What we are starting to see with recent younger MLB pitchers is they get the ball, get set, and quickly deliver their next pitch. I like watching them as the pace is faster, but it leaves less time for in game commentary and replays.
Beep-bob… BALL – yikes! Can’t wait for Angel Hernandez to ignore 85% of what he hears in his earpiece… Also, framing pitches is an art that should remain in the game.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:11 AM ^
Angel Hernandez already defies 85% of logic, so no change there.
August 22nd, 2022 at 10:47 AM ^
Ah...Angel Hernandez...
I don't think Hernandez is a shitty umpire because he is in over his head. I often think his calls are just a fuck you to whomever he is pissed at today. The umpires must have a helluva union.
August 22nd, 2022 at 11:18 AM ^
This one with Kyle Schwarber is a classic:
Kyle Schwarber had enough of Angel Hernandez' calls at the plate tonight pic.twitter.com/kAaIWM1Hvi
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 25, 2022
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
shorter games mean there is likely to be reduced concessions sales, but that is offset by reduced hours paid out to the workers. My bet is the owners see this tradeoff will be a positive impact to their bottom line.
Why do 'improvements' always come at the expense of the working people? At some point, the people will unite, stand up, and say we're not taking it anymore!
Throw off the chains!
Eat the rich!
Let the ruling classes tremble!
Revolution!
Who's with me? (Hello? Anyone?)
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
As much as I TRY to get into baseball as a fanatic, it's very tough. The game is just slow (I'm 36 years old, so I'm not a young buck who stares at his phone all day). When you think back, the game really hasn't gone through any major changes (think 3-point line). There have been some alterations, but it's been mostly kept the same throughout the decades. It's just always been, for me at least, a tough watch.
Some of my big problems:
-Season's much too long. Knock 40 games off the schedule; make each game feel much more important.
-Do away with the warm up for pitchers. They are warming up in the bullpen for damn near an hour; they don't need two minutes on the mound. As soon as they get out to the bump, go. If you get rid of that two minutes or so for every pitching change, you can potentially knock off 15-20 minutes a game.
-Gotta do the robot umps. WAY too much inconsistency. You can have the home base ump for foul tips, plays at the plate, and other assorted issues.
August 22nd, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
I'm a former pitcher, I would be very opposed to eliminating the warm up pitches between innings. Those five pitches were a chance to get the arm loose again and to get dialed back into the feel of the mound. And throw each pitch at least once before the inning starts.
The act of pitching is violent on the elbow, shoulder and back. A few throws to get warmed up is worth it to avoid injuries.
August 22nd, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
You also got the chance to learn how that particular mound was (still) holding your spikes and landing foot. Plus learn about any holes that the previous pitchers had left for you. It's less than a minute to learn. I would not mess with that.
(Edit: yes, also a former pitcher. Had one guy who I hated sharing the mound with. He always made a minor but nasty gash into which I hated landing, forcing my release point to be off.)
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
Also a former pitcher here - 100% agree with not getting rid of warmup pitches.
Besides being good for the pitcher, I submit that it is also safer for the batter. I sure as hell would not want to be digging into the batters box knowing the first 2-3 pitches of the at bat will have the pitcher "calibrating" his 90+ slider or 95+ two-seamer.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:44 AM ^
Regarding bags: the first baseman will definitely be closer to the throw since the edge of the bag has to sit on the foul line, but it’s possible the batter/runner is not closer. First base could still be set so that the home plate edge is the same distance away, and the extra 3” extends toward the outfield only. This size change will mostly become an issue stealing 2nd or 3rd. The distance will necessarily be cut by a few inches there.
August 22nd, 2022 at 11:27 AM ^
Say WHAT? The distance between 1st and 2nd is shortened by 3” based on 1st base size alone.
August 22nd, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
Correct. That’s what I’m saying. I’m saying it may ONLY affect between 1st/2nd and 2nd/3rd. It may not affect home/1st and 3rd/home.
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:46 PM ^
I'm leary of the pickoff play being hamstrung by forcing the pitcher to first step off the rubber, gives too big of an advantage to the base runner. Besides, a well-executed pickoff is a thing of beauty.
OTOH, a limit to the # of throws to first is completely warranted. Keeping the runner close is one thing, but it shouldn't take 3 or more throws to do the job.
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:53 PM ^
Agreed on point number 1.
Disagree on point number 2 - especially come playoff time, when all the little "games within the game" are magnified. A runner knowing the pitcher has exhausted their pickoff attempts is far too massive of an advantage
August 22nd, 2022 at 1:50 PM ^
Here is my angle: shorter games mean there is likely to be reduced concessions sales, but that is offset by reduced hours paid out to the workers. My bet is the owners see this tradeoff will be a positive impact to their bottom line.
Do they pay the workers by the hour? I assumed they got a flat rate for the night (so a 15-inning marathon wouldn't get them a big bonus).
I think the bigger benefit of shorter games is that it's just easier for fans to sit through, especially on TV. Games have demonstrably gotten longer over the last 50 years, by over a half-hour per game. I was a huge baseball fan as a kid but I rarely will watch a full game on TV now. Games that move along faster should help with TV ratings, and thus ad revenue.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:09 AM ^
Two things that have to go back to the way they were are:
A) Get rid of the runner on 2nd in extra innings.
B) Get rid of the catcher blocking the plate rule. Buster Posey got hurt one time and GM Brian Sabean cried like a bitch about it and they create this rule. Collisions at the plate are part of the game. They don't happen every day but they happen.
As for the clock I unfortunately think it's necessary. Pitchers are sweating each pitch like they are trying to figure out which wire to cut on a bomb and batters are stepping out and adjusting their gloves and contemplating life's mysteries before getting back in the box. If you watch games from back in the day it was SO much faster.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:21 AM ^
Pete Rose once ruined a guy's career in an All-Star game with a collision at home, so it is not just the Posey rule, although that was the last straw that got the rule instituted. It is just not worth ruining someone's career over a collision at home. It would be like getting rid of the defenseless receiver rule in football. Revoking the rule is not necessary to have an exciting play at the plate.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:24 AM ^
I like the "ghost runner" on second for the reason John Smoltz talks about. Before they implemented the runner, every batter was trying to win the game with one swing of the bat. We had 15-18 inning games that destroyed bullpens and catchers for the next series of games.
Today, batters are looking for a single, hitting the ball to advance the runner, bunting - all to score 1 run, maybe 2. Games are now over after 1 - 3 extra innings and are much more exciting.
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
Absolutely no to the ghost runner until at least a couple innings are played under normal rules w/o ghost runners.
Even the Little League rules call for their first extra inning to be played under normal rules before resorting to that gimmick in the 2nd extra frame.
August 22nd, 2022 at 10:13 AM ^
Yesterday the Detroit News published an obituary of John Wockenfuss, a Tigers' utility player and backup catcher (to Bill Freehan).
Here's an excerpt from the obit, with my emphasis:
In 2011, talking to The News seven years before his dementia diagnosis (he had undergone multiple back surgeries), he became a strong advocate for the rule change banning home-plate collisions, which went into effect in 2014. Wockenfuss recalled the hardest hit he ever took, in September 1975, when the Tigers were visited Cleveland. Buddy Bell, a mountain of a man and a future Tigers manager, rung Wockenfuss' bell.
"I stretched out just trying to catch the ball, then it was lights out. I don't even know if I caught it," Wockenfuss told The News. "Basically, I don't really remember anything till I was sitting in a wheelchair at the hospital."
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:29 PM ^
First of all, RIP Johnny B Wockenfuss.
Briefly the Tigers starting catcher, but with his Detroit career spanning that of two Tigers greats at that position (Bill Freehan and Lance Parrish), Wockenfuss crafted himself a long career as a catcher/utility man, being versatile enough to play catcher, left field, right field, 1st base and even a bit at the hot corner.
But no doubt the Wock was most famous for his extremely unorthodox batting stance---he and 60's/early 70's Tigers infielder Dick McAuliffe had two of the most memorably unique stances the game has seen in my lifetime.
---------------
I agree, Blue Vet, no way should baseball ever go back to allowing the catcher to go unprotected. Those bone-jarring brain-rattling collisions may have been spectacular, but the toll of those impacts is way too high.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:28 AM ^
Love the pitch clock. I don’t like the infielder rule but that’s life. The two pickoff attempts rule seems insane to me though
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:32 AM ^
"the regular 15” x 15” bags are being replaced with less slippery 18” x 18” bags. They do expect more stolen base attempts and a higher success rate."
Having had the personal luxury of carrying an extra 3" all my life I assure you of a higher success rate.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:38 AM ^
Around your belly? ...how does that work? 😂
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:39 AM ^
technically 6" advantage, considering 3" at first and 3 more at 2nd..... Like, Hey baby.... I got 6" for you, as long as you're ok with the cumulative measure
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:36 AM ^
I love the auto strike zone.... having watched baseball for decades, it is incredibly frustrating how calling balls and strikes seems less consistent than it ever was. it could be that with the strike zone being shown on telecast, its just more obvious, but hasn't gotten considerably worse, but i don't believe so.
totally sucks to both the pitcher and batter when pitches that were balls all game long become called strikes in the late innings, or vice versa.
As for the rest..... meh..... not a huge fan of changing the rules to favor more offense....
if the defense shifts the entire infield to the right side, learn how to his opposite field, or bunt.
larger bases?? I mean..... has the number of players injured at 1st increased significantly in the past few years?
I'd argue that handicapping a pitcher's opportunity to keep a runner close on 1st could extend the game by greatly reducing the number of double plays.
Please leave hot dogs with mustard as the official ball part concession!!
August 22nd, 2022 at 10:21 AM ^
Agree on the strike zone variation. One pitcher will get the called strike because "he's had control all game". The other won't get the called strike - on the exact same location - because "he's been struggling with accuracy". If I'm a pitcher, close my eyes, and throw a fastball on the corner, it should be strike. I shouldn't be called a ball because I didn't intend to hit the corner. For example, how many times does a pitcher intend to pitch inside (for a ball) but leave it ball hanging in the strike zone? Should that be called a ball if he's had control all game? Nope.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:40 AM ^
I hate banning the shift. You should be able to play your defenders wherever you want, in my opinion. 4 man outfield? 2 man outfield? 4 players on the first base side of second base? Why not? People act like the shift is somehow cheating, but putting defenders where the ball is more likely to be hit just seems like good strategy. And every shift has inherent major weaknesses that can be exploited as well.
As for the robo-umps, it's about goddamn time. Nothing is more frustrating than blown calls in crucial moments of the game. Even if an umpire is great with balls and strikes, say 95% accurate, that means they're still missing 15-20 calls a game, and depending on where those happen can totally swing the outcome. It will be nice that no one can argue about it anymore either.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
1/2 thumbs up for the defense argument. If you want to play 8 guys behind the plate, that’s your call. The robo ump could be a good thing - unless it gets handled like college football replay.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:46 AM ^
Manfred sucks. Clone 40 year old Selig and stop lighting tradition on fire.
August 22nd, 2022 at 9:54 AM ^
The biggest change baseball needs to make is to eliminate the dropped third strike rule. It serves no purpose other than to reward the hitter for striking out after swinging at a shitty pitch. It doesn't happen too often at the MLB level, but for lower levels, it is beyond frustrating. (Also - see the Tigers from a few days ago against Cleveland)
I like the bigger bag, but only at first. This should help reduce a few injuries.
The pickoff rule changes seem silly to me. I'm not sure I understand the sudden desire for more steal attempts.
Not a huge fan of the shift only because it pisses me off to see a hitter hit a bullet up the middle or in the hole that results in a ground out. It's tough to get a knock in the MLB with the gas these pitchers throw these days, so making the adjustment to beat the shift is not easy for many hitters. However, I understand the argument for those in favor of the shift. I lean toward no shift, so maybe the change to having all four infielders with a foot on the dirt is a fair concession.
I think a big part of the game of baseball is umpires having slightly different strike zones. Some guys give you the high strike, some give you low. Some are a little more giving on pitches on or just off the paint, some are not. It results in having to make the adjustments at the plate as a hitter every night, which is part of the game. Not a fan of the automated strike zone.
August 22nd, 2022 at 1:29 PM ^
I'm with you on the human umps point. It's part of the strategy of the game. Strategy is a huge part of baseball. I wonder how many here are die hard baseball fans that want to have robot umps. I mean fans that have MLB.TV so they can have Dodgers (or whoever they like) games on everywhere they go. I would be willing to venture the fans that robot umps would be the fans that might watch a game or 2 during the regular season and maybe or maybe not watch the playoffs depending on if their team is in.
August 22nd, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^
Agree. While it isn't the most popular sport to watch, it is absolutely the greatest sport ever created for so many reasons that I won't even bother to get into. Baseball purists are few and far between as compared to the general fan base. The purists love the game as is. Minor tweaks are ok, but something as drastic as robotic umps.....get off my lawn!
One of the rare but great joys of the game is when a manager goes off on the umpire (thinking Earl Weaver at the moment). So many great tirades that live in baseball lore. Please don't take those precious moments away.
August 22nd, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^
I agree learning the ump's zone that day is part of the game and you need to be able to adjust, both batters and pitchers.
What seems to happen more often is the variance between teams/pitchers in the same game. I've seen pitches by one team get called a strike in one half of the inning and the exact same pitch be called a ball in the other half of the inning. That shouldn't happen.
I would like to keep the human factor, but have an AI system reading what the umps are calling that day as balls and strikes. Track the data and start to run a report showing if there is any bias taking place. If there is, that ump doesn't get to work the plate anymore. There's so much volume of data available with the number of pitches throw in a game this shouldn't be hard to do.
August 22nd, 2022 at 6:26 PM ^
I am all for some form of accounting with umps. Just not for having a computer call the game.
August 22nd, 2022 at 10:28 AM ^
Damn, Mike Hargrove would never make it in todays game.
As for changes I'm all for moving the pitcher/batter along.
Learn to hit around the shift.
I'm all for automating the strike zone. Home plate ump with be the second best job after bullpen catcher.
August 22nd, 2022 at 11:16 AM ^
I predict that stolen bases will not increase the speed of play. They will slow it down more.
It might be more fun to watch but it will make the game take longer. More replay reviews, more throws over to 1st and 2nd. Sure only 2 per plate appearance but with more players likely to steal, more throws over per game. replay reviews on both “was he picked off!?” And “did he steal it successfully!?”
could be more enjoyable viewing though.
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:59 PM ^
Plus stolen bases seem like one of the higher causes of injury. People hurt their hands or shoulders much more often than 1st base or home plate collisions...I think?
OTOH, I love stolen bases...
August 22nd, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
I’m a fan of the automated strike zone. Clearly define the zone and let’s see who can succeed.
Human umpires changing the zone means more opportunity for the lesser skilled player to somehow win the matchup. For reasons completely out of the other players control.
no more loud crowds and potential HOF’ers standing there to influence the outcome of the pitch. Earn it.
August 22nd, 2022 at 11:54 AM ^
"...less time for in game commentary..."
Calling this one a plus on its own
August 22nd, 2022 at 12:50 PM ^
Exactly.
Less droning on and on and on by Shep and Gibby on TV and by Jimbo Price in the radio booth will be welcome relief.
August 22nd, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
Enjoyed reading all the comments so far, lots of far-ranging opinions on rule changes.
While I'm somewhat a traditionalist, change is part of life and of all other sports so why not well-thought-out change for baseball? While some of the things mentioned will.never happen (such as reducing the schedule by 40 games---lets go back to 156 like baseball had through the early 60s, maybe even closer to 150 minimum---but go no further than that. Way too much of a negative effect on the baseball record books to fully eliminate one fourth of the schedule.
What I do strongly favor (in order of what is most needed)
1) DEFINITELY YES on a robo-ump for calling strikes. "Framing" pitches is wayyy overrated; bottom line is that if it's over the plate it's a strike, if not it's a ball.
2) I also strongly favor severely limiting the shift. The rover position has a place in slow-pitch rec league softball, but NOT professional baseball.
3) larger& less-slippery bases. It'll only marginally help the base stealers but very much will reduce injuries. Anything that cuts back on the disabled list is definitely a good thing.
Not to mention that the well-executed slide at any base is a thing of art.
August 22nd, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
I'm a huge life long Dodgers fan. I would like the shift to be removed, however, batters will eventually learn how to hit opposite field to combat it. The shift has been around forever and they learned to beat it before. They could just wait to let the game play out and the shift will work itself out. I would consider the bag change if they can show there is an actual tangible reduction in injuries, but everything else, hell no. Especially hell no to robot umps. Figuring out each strike zone for each game is part of the strategy of the game. If you want to have a system in to hold umps accountable for egregious errors, fine, but keep human umps.
August 22nd, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
Larger Bases - This feels gimmicky. Baseball has had 15" by 15" bases since 1877. If it makes a genuine difference regarding injuries, OK, I guess. Will it really?
Limit to Defensive Shifts - not a fan. Shifts are part of baseball strategy. What happened to "Hit it where they ain't"?
Pickoff Plays - definitely. Games have gotten a half-hour longer since the 1970s and this is one of the culprits. No one wants to see the pitcher throw to first over and over.
That said, this plus the larger bases might give base stealers too much of an edge.
Pitch Clock - I'm leaning to yes, as this is the other big culprit. That said, it might be tricky to implement - there will probably be reviews about whether the pitcher "got it off in time."
“Robot Umps” - If the umpire can choose to ignore it, I'm not sure what difference it will make, but eh, why not.