ESPN.com's Top 20 Rule Changes

[CheckMate]

ESPN

[Rainey]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

Some of those rules sound great. Some of those rules sound like crap. I would like a few of the rules to be implemented.

[Rainey]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

Some of those rules sound great. Some of those rules sound like crap. I would like a few of the rules to be implemented.

[tbuck]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

I think there has been enough done to speed up the game. I'd like to leave things alone for awhile. A few minor changes (no body armor, earlier weekend & playoff start times) would be nice, but most of the ideas are ridiculous. Is baseball in trouble? No. the fans are back, for the most part. The ratings are good. Let's just leave it alone.

[tbuck]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

I think there has been enough done to speed up the game. I'd like to leave things alone for awhile. A few minor changes (no body armor, earlier weekend & playoff start times) would be nice, but most of the ideas are ridiculous. Is baseball in trouble? No. the fans are back, for the most part. The ratings are good. Let's just leave it alone.

[rubisco43]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

#1: Use Instant Replay
Don't like it. I like the fact that umps can make mistakes in the game... the "what if" arguements that always comes out of it. If this rule does come around, maybe use the football rule of 2 challenges/game, plus 2 more for extra innings.

#2: Stay in the box
PLEASE! Nothing is more irritating than a player stepping in and out of the box. At least one foot in at all times.

#3: Establish visiting hours (limit to time spent visiting mound)
Ah, the old stall tactic to give bullpen more time to warm up. The time spent by managers and coaches never bother me.

#4: Toughen up the save rule
The save rule is stupid anyway. Just another stat that baseball players need to base their salaries on... sort of like "pancake blocks" for offensive linemen. Saves should only be if the pitcher faces the tying run on deck in the opposing teams final at bat.

#5: Ban the fake-to-third, throw-to-first move
I've NEVER seen it work. And I get annoyed every time someone tries it. Automatic balk.

#6: Three pickoffs and you're done
No. I like the little chess play between pitchers and baserunners. Plus, if the pitcher wants to waste arm strength on throwing to bases, let him wear out and smoke a fatball (intentional spelling error) right down the heart of the plate next pitch.

#7: Five for fighting (limit teams to 5 relief pitchers/9 innings)
No. In a close game, the lefty-righty matchups could have a huge impact on the outcome.

#8: It takes two (min of 2 batters/pitcher)
No. See above.

#9: Let's not see you in September (30 man Sept. roster)
Make it 35.. a nice middle ground.

#10: Unify the numbers (combine AL & NL stats if traded midseason)
Yup.

#11: Waive the waiver system
Agreed.

#12: Erase the runner's box
Yes. Pointless extra lines.

#13: Define the true meaning of sacrifice
Yes.

#14: Dump the designated pinch-runner
I like pinch runners.

#15: But add the designated fielder
What? Aren't they called bench players? Defensive specialists?

#16: Ban all body armor
Yes. Feel the sting of getting hit. Let the pitchers pitch inside for once. Maybe Mo Vaughn will stop leaning over the plate.

#17: Invent the "team" error
Sure... I've seen the pop up fall between 3 players and the hitter gets a "hit" for the play.

#18: Enforce the batter's box
Kinda like #2...

#19: The phantom must go
No phantom tags. Hit the bag for the out. That's what I had to do in high school and college. Why does it change for the majors?

#20: No more Saturday night games
Makes no difference to me.

[rubisco43]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

#1: Use Instant Replay
Don't like it. I like the fact that umps can make mistakes in the game... the "what if" arguements that always comes out of it. If this rule does come around, maybe use the football rule of 2 challenges/game, plus 2 more for extra innings.

#2: Stay in the box
PLEASE! Nothing is more irritating than a player stepping in and out of the box. At least one foot in at all times.

#3: Establish visiting hours (limit to time spent visiting mound)
Ah, the old stall tactic to give bullpen more time to warm up. The time spent by managers and coaches never bother me.

#4: Toughen up the save rule
The save rule is stupid anyway. Just another stat that baseball players need to base their salaries on... sort of like "pancake blocks" for offensive linemen. Saves should only be if the pitcher faces the tying run on deck in the opposing teams final at bat.

#5: Ban the fake-to-third, throw-to-first move
I've NEVER seen it work. And I get annoyed every time someone tries it. Automatic balk.

#6: Three pickoffs and you're done
No. I like the little chess play between pitchers and baserunners. Plus, if the pitcher wants to waste arm strength on throwing to bases, let him wear out and smoke a fatball (intentional spelling error) right down the heart of the plate next pitch.

#7: Five for fighting (limit teams to 5 relief pitchers/9 innings)
No. In a close game, the lefty-righty matchups could have a huge impact on the outcome.

#8: It takes two (min of 2 batters/pitcher)
No. See above.

#9: Let's not see you in September (30 man Sept. roster)
Make it 35.. a nice middle ground.

#10: Unify the numbers (combine AL & NL stats if traded midseason)
Yup.

#11: Waive the waiver system
Agreed.

#12: Erase the runner's box
Yes. Pointless extra lines.

#13: Define the true meaning of sacrifice
Yes.

#14: Dump the designated pinch-runner
I like pinch runners.

#15: But add the designated fielder
What? Aren't they called bench players? Defensive specialists?

#16: Ban all body armor
Yes. Feel the sting of getting hit. Let the pitchers pitch inside for once. Maybe Mo Vaughn will stop leaning over the plate.

#17: Invent the "team" error
Sure... I've seen the pop up fall between 3 players and the hitter gets a "hit" for the play.

#18: Enforce the batter's box
Kinda like #2...

#19: The phantom must go
No phantom tags. Hit the bag for the out. That's what I had to do in high school and college. Why does it change for the majors?

#20: No more Saturday night games
Makes no difference to me.

[keRplunK]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

these would all hurt the game, and I would never watch another professional game for the rest of my life if any of these came into effect(except for 1).....but since these have no chance of actually happening It looks like I'm okay.

The only thing that I could see helping is the challenge the umpire rule. That would be okay because it would give a guy like Lou Pinella something else to do when they blow a call. Instead of running out and kicking dirt all over and getting thrown out, he could just go out and challenge the call and get it right.

[keRplunK]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

these would all hurt the game, and I would never watch another professional game for the rest of my life if any of these came into effect(except for 1).....but since these have no chance of actually happening It looks like I'm okay.

The only thing that I could see helping is the challenge the umpire rule. That would be okay because it would give a guy like Lou Pinella something else to do when they blow a call. Instead of running out and kicking dirt all over and getting thrown out, he could just go out and challenge the call and get it right.

[LHayes37]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

Have any of you astually been to a game, looked at your watch and said, "I wish they would hurry up, there's other things I would rather be doing." The NL has it right, no DH, just get rid of it in the AL and you will move things right along. As for the save rule, I would be willing to bet that most fans don't even know what the definition of a save is. Just change the rule from a 3 run lead to a 2 run lead when starting an inning. But keep the tying run on base , at bat or on deck rule in there. Because with only a two run lead the tying run will be one of the first two batters you face.

[LHayes37]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

Have any of you astually been to a game, looked at your watch and said, "I wish they would hurry up, there's other things I would rather be doing." The NL has it right, no DH, just get rid of it in the AL and you will move things right along. As for the save rule, I would be willing to bet that most fans don't even know what the definition of a save is. Just change the rule from a 3 run lead to a 2 run lead when starting an inning. But keep the tying run on base , at bat or on deck rule in there. Because with only a two run lead the tying run will be one of the first two batters you face.

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

Get rid of the DH, enforce the batters box, get rid of body armor, and eliminate phantom tags and I'll be happy.

[LetsGoPitt]

Re: ESPN.com\'s Top 20 Rule Changes

Get rid of the DH, enforce the batters box, get rid of body armor, and eliminate phantom tags and I'll be happy.