MLB Off-Topic

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I'm 100 percent against the Golden Bat; it's just dumb.



But I'm also curious. Let's say the Dodgers use the Golden Bat to have Ohtani hit 8th and he's still on base when his normal spot comes up in the order. What happens then?



Or Ohtani doubles with one out and Mookie strikes out. Can they have Ohtani use the Golden Bat to hit again even though he's already on second?

I imagine the batter must not be actively part of the game in the moment that they come in (so if you're on base, you're ineligible).

However....what if the Golden Bat rule is used BEFORE an upcoming AB?

Like Ohtani pinch hits for the 9 hitter and gets on. Then his normal AB comes up while he's still on base. Do they just bring in the most recent out before his AB to be the pinch runner while he goes back to bat?

It'd also be funny if a guy uses the Golden AB right before or after their actual AB. They strike out the first time, then just stay at the plate after strike 3 and the new AB begins. You could have some long AB fouling off balls and then even though you struck out, you've now just had a dozen pitches to look at and start a new count fresh.

[DrJones]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Meh..if it gets implemented then I'll adapt like I have with all the other rule changes that have been implemented over the years.

This is the most honest response. Hardcore sports fans (myself included!) are addicts, and the leagues know it. "I'm going to quit watching this sport if X happens" is in the same category as, "I'm going to leave the country if Y gets elected". Sure, 0.1% will follow through, but 99.9% will just complain and keep on keeping on.

[l3ulvl]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The DH rule I don’t like, I think it is a strategy hit to the game.

The 3 batter rule I don’t like either.

Pitch clock I really like

Ghost runner, I am good either way.

Auto walk, I am good either way.

This golden bat thing is way out of line. It just might make me leave MLB.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Personally, I don't think this new rule will ever see the light of day. Manfred claims there is "buzz" around the rule, but that doesn't necessarily mean that its positive. Right now its nothing more than a conversation piece, and I really don't think it will expand beyond that.

At best this "rule" is only a discussion piece. At worst, this rule is a few seasons away as they have a host of questions to answer and parameters to put into place before they can legitimately introduce it to the MLBPA for agreement.

And I have a hard time believing the MLBPA will get enough support from the players to agree to it.

[Master Live 013]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Regarding the Pitch Clock:
<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code">

MLB games lasting 3+ hours:

2003: 28%
2004: 31%
2005: 30%
2006: 32%
2007: 39%
2008: 37%
2009: 38%
2010: 38%
2011: 40%
2012: 47%
2013: 52%
2014: 58%
2015: 46%
2016: 54%
2017: 62%
2018: 54%
2019: 62%
2020: 59%
2021: 67%
2022: 60%
2023: 17% 👀
2024: 12% 👀
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) December 1, 2024

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</code></samp>

[bhurst99]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Ugh. The golden bat rule would likely be tested for years in the minors and would need the MLBPA to sign off on it (as someone else mentioned) but I could see it happen one day.

If you're paying the top player on your team $300-to-$500 million on a long term deal (which seems to be where almost all the teams are headed), I can see owners thinking it's a good idea to have them get an extra at bat a game.

I hate the idea. That won't make me stop watching games but at some point there will be a breaking point where all these rule changes (with the exception of the pitch clock) make me lose interest.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

An "interesting" example I saw regarding the golden bat rule:

Juan Soto strikes out, then they use the golden bat on Juan Soto so he just bats again and hits a home run.

[fugazi]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Why has it become so fashionable for American sports magnates to hate American sports?

Football hates itself. Baseball keeps trying to one-up them...

[steelerfan]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Why has it become so fashionable for American sports magnates to hate American sports?



Football hates itself. Baseball keeps trying to one-up them...

Football is trying not to get sued into oblivion. They are protecting their livelihood and the life of luxury that they have accumulated.

Baseball seems to be grasping at straws, trying to find a way to make the game interesting to watch. In a highly competitive market, I doubt they'll ever find a way to grow their market share. Instead, they'll lose a few purists in the process.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[DrJones]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Why has it become so fashionable for American sports magnates to hate American sports?

Football hates itself. Baseball keeps trying to one-up them...

They don't love or hate sports. They love money. And profits must always increase. So new avenues of revenue must always be found: expansion, ads, sports betting, rules changes that might attract casuals, whatever.

They don't worry about purists that much because, as I said earlier, 99.9% of purists will complain but not actually leave the sport. It's the fickle fans they care about.

Canadian NHL fans have been dealing with this for 30 years now.

[Master Live 013]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

"Purists" they say. This isn't about purism, this is about changing the essence of the sport since maybe its conception or since the rules were actually codified. Like I can't really come up with a proper comparison for football or basketball (mainly due to the structural nature of the sport), the closest, and it isn't in the same planet, would be choosing who shoots free throws in a foul attempt once a game.

None of the other recent rule changes compares to this. None.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Regarding the Pitch Clock:
<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code">

MLB games lasting 3+ hours:

2003: 28%
2004: 31%
2005: 30%
2006: 32%
2007: 39%
2008: 37%
2009: 38%
2010: 38%
2011: 40%
2012: 47%
2013: 52%
2014: 58%
2015: 46%
2016: 54%
2017: 62%
2018: 54%
2019: 62%
2020: 59%
2021: 67%
2022: 60%
2023: 17% [emoji102]
2024: 12% [emoji102]
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) December 1, 2024

********
</code></samp>

Even 40% is high, but over 60%!?

I've loved the game times the last 2 seasons. For all the hate people give Manfred for changes he's made or Golden Bat changes he wants to make, the pitch clock has been the best one.

An "interesting" example I saw regarding the golden bat rule:

Juan Soto strikes out, then they use the golden bat on Juan Soto so he just bats again and hits a home run.

That's exactly what I said. A guy getting back to back ABs against the same pitcher, especially if it's back to back against the same reliever where we know it's not common for a relief pitcher to face the same batter twice in a game, that favours the hitter.

[l3ulvl]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

An "interesting" example I saw regarding the golden bat rule:

Juan Soto strikes out, then they use the golden bat on Juan Soto so he just bats again and hits a home run.

or if Soto draws a walk, then gets golden batted, and draws another walk

[DrJones]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

or if Soto draws a walk, then gets golden batted, and draws another walk

I'm seein' double here - 4 Soto's!

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

or if Soto draws a walk, then gets golden batted, and draws another walk

Or if they automatically walk you (hate that rule), just to golden bat yourself afterward (dumbest idea to be entertained yet).

Such a slap in the face to the opposing manager.