MLB Off-Topic

[Sportsforever]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Speaking of robot umps, I almost always imagine that eventually if they go to it, there wouldn't be somebody behind home plate making the call, but you'd see a flashy sign on the scoreboard with sounds that appear like in RBI Baseball. Not sure why I picture that in my head, and I realize that's not how it would be... but that's what I think about every time people bring up the idea of an electronic strike zone.

Even if there was a robot ump, there has to be someone at the plate to make calls at the plate, etc.

BTW - I've always thought the technology wouldn't be too hard to develop glasses that the umpire wears. The glasses would generate the strike zone specific to the hitter and if the ball catches any part of the 3d strike zone there would be a flash, making it easy for the umpire to see/call it. All of this would ONLY be seen by the umpire's glasses. It would essentially make the human umpire the "robot"...

[kehlis]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

While I understand they are trying to increase pace of play with some of those rules, I don't understand why they are pushing the mound back? That's the first I'd hurt of it and will actuallly promote more offense which is the opposite of shortening game times.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Even if there was a robot ump, there has to be someone at the plate to make calls at the plate, etc.

I know what it would be, I'm just saying the first picture that pops into my head, thinking that's what it could evolve to for some reason.

While I understand they are trying to increase pace of play with some of those rules, I don't understand why they are pushing the mound back? That's the first I'd hurt of it and will actuallly promote more offense which is the opposite of shortening game times.

The strikeouts are increasing in the MLB, and I think they're trying to find ways to just make moments more exciting, even if it's just by putting the ball in play earlier in an at-bat or more often. If that means putting back several minutes on a ball game, they might be for it if pace-of-play is the overall bigger concern.

I just hope that pitchers even in that league can adjust to that sort of thing. They might think to just put even more effort on the ball as needed, for speed and/or height purposes. Sure is a relatively long throw.

[BigOscar]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The one I don't get is making the bases bigger. Would that really make a significant difference? I don't really get why we still have raised bases at all tbh, they seem like a completely unnecessary health hazard that you can break your fingers sliding into or roll your ankle, maybe blow out your knee by stepping on the edge of.

You'd have to tweak the rules slightly if you got rid of the bases and just had marks on the ground or flat bases like home, but not in a way that would particularly hurt the game that I can think of. You'd have to change the rules on sliding into a base so you counted as still being on the base even if you slip off probably, as a flat base would be very hard to stay on. But does anyone actually enjoy these lawyer outs where you use replay to get the guy out on a technicality when they come an inch of the bag mid slide? Just have it so you count as being on the base as long as you stay within touching distance until you actively move of it, or something like that and it'd be fine. (that would also help ace of pay as those ridiculous replays take forever)

The only issue I could think of is for 1st baseman resting their foot on the bag to make stretches, but there's surely a solution for that? The pro's of getting rid of raised bases outweigh the cons imo.

Moving the mound back is stupid and would surely mess with every pitcher, as they've all grown up perfecting the art of throwin pitches one distance, then you're asking them all to suddenly throw it further. It'd be a mess you'd imagine. Surely just lowering the mound again is the more obvious solution if they really think that's a problem to start with? It worked well last time they did it

[Jr.]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The one I don't get is making the bases bigger. Would that really make a significant difference? I don't really get why we still have raised bases at all tbh, they seem like a completely unnecessary health hazard that you can break your fingers sliding into or roll your ankle, maybe blow out your knee by stepping on the edge of.

You'd have to tweak the rules slightly if you got rid of the bases and just had marks on the ground or flat bases like home, but not in a way that would particularly hurt the game that I can think of. You'd have to change the rules on sliding into a base so you counted as still being on the base even if you slip off probably, as a flat base would be very hard to stay on. But does anyone actually enjoy these lawyer outs where you use replay to get the guy out on a technicality when they come an inch of the bag mid slide? Just have it so you count as being on the base as long as you stay within touching distance until you actively move of it, or something like that and it'd be fine. (that would also help ace of pay as those ridiculous replays take forever)

The only issue I could think of is for 1st baseman resting their foot on the bag to make stretches, but there's surely a solution for that? The pro's of getting rid of raised bases outweigh the cons imo.

Moving the mound back is stupid and would surely mess with every pitcher, as they've all grown up perfecting the art of throwin pitches one distance, then you're asking them all to suddenly throw it further. It'd be a mess you'd imagine. Surely just lowering the mound again is the more obvious solution if they really think that's a problem to start with? It worked well last time they did it

The raised base isn't the problem, it's that they're hard, unforgiving, and get extremely slick when it rains.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Operation Sports mobile app

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

No mound visits unless changing pitcher I like as a rule. Even a compromise of 1 mound visit per game (so it's like 1 timeout a game which is a fair number).

I feel like the robotic umps would work best to only judge if the ball crosses the plate. I'm sure I mentioned it before, Trout and Altuve have the exact same strike zone width. Plate is fixed. That's what a computer can judge. Let home plate ump judge if it's high or low. Less they have to focus on, meaning they can better judge the calls. Double their efficiency.

[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I think more strikeouts is a result of more pitchers pitching for the strikeout, and not trying to put the ball in play. Good luck forcing them to change their mindset.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I think more strikeouts is a result of more pitchers pitching for the strikeout, and not trying to put the ball in play. Good luck forcing them to change their mindset.

Well, at the same time hitters not caring so much about the strikeout if the home run is on the horizon for them.

It's just that pitchers have been able to throw so much harder in the past few years, and relievers have had a bigger presence in the game that can throw max effort. A couple of feet can definitely help the hitter out, regardless of what they're trying to do with the ball. Plus, putting in the math that means slightly less forceful tilt on pitches as well. Every little bit helps.

I'm not saying this is what the MLB should do. Just stating I think strikeout numbers would go down.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The scientist in me has hair standing up on the back of my neck with MLB choosing to make so many rule changes simultaneously. They really need a lesson in how to run a controlled experiment. I realize they might not want to collect 18 years worth of data on one thing at a time, but the smorgasbord they announced for the Atlantic League is well beyond ridiculous. They might as well be playing football or cricket on the diamond this year.

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Plus, I mean going back to the robot umpire thing one more time... tell me exactly how many fans do you think will be gained as a result of that rule change? Yes, we'll all be interested in what it looks like to be so accurate, but how many new fans will be gained?

I like umpire personalities, and that there is a bit of a scouting report involved on the pitcher's end that the commentators bring to the viewer. I like pitchers trying to earn more width off the plate as they exhibit pinpoint control. I like the art of framing that catchers possess, and that quality aspect that they build up through the ranks. I like the bickering between player/umpire, pitcher/umpire, coach/umpire as that's the only kind that we have left since replay has turned everyone buddy-buddy out on the field.

Also, I don't like the high rulebook strike, and I like that many umpires don't go by it. I don't like the rulebook having a three-dimensional definition aspect that would call high breaking balls starting at a player's shoulders and nicking the back edge called as a strike. I don't like the idea of umpires feeling out less accountability on their ends. It's like autocorrect today: the crutch will make you underperform in other aspects of your job.

Go back to that catcher framing thing for a second, by the way. Understand that as you play high school ball, travel ball, college ball and probably also minor league ball that they don't and won't have electronic strike zones there. Therefore, framing is still something that will be taught and trained for catchers to do, all the way up until... they don't have to do it anymore? That's the same thing with bunting if the DH is added to the NL, but that's saved for another talk.

I'm still in the camp that if they get an automated strike zone, it gets inserted in there so quietly that they never confirm or deny it when it happens and when it's brought up, and it's left for us to just speculate whether or not it's actually in there afterward. I know they can't do that, but a public decision and announcement on this won't draw more fans to this sport.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

While I understand they are trying to increase pace of play with some of those rules, I don't understand why they are pushing the mound back? That's the first I'd hurt of it and will actuallly promote more offense which is the opposite of shortening game times.

They're either hypocrites or confused as hell.

Not sure which is more likely.

[JaFFiTh]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The crazy thing is the mound being moved back 2 feet... IN MIDDLE OF THE SEASON... not spring training or whatever when the pitcher can get prepared. But middle of the season, all pitchers will be out of whack in middle of the season.

The rules I’m actually in favour of is the shifts. Well I’m not with the no shift at all. I’m ok with the common shifts. Moving sidewards for righty or lefty. But not crazy overshifts like SS on the 2B side or whatever. Just a simple old fashion shifts. I don’t like how overboard they go with it now.

And 3 minimum batters, I’m good with that. At least it gives pitchers more pitchers instead of going in for one pitch hit or whatever then your out and u gotta wait till next time you get called up. A bit of waste of time I would think. All the work you put in and you’re yanked after a single pitch especially for lefty/lefty matchups. I also hate watching the game going into commercials waiting for the pitch to warm up after the pitch changes especially when it’s 2 or 3 times in one inning. Drives me bonkers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SPTO]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The scientist in me has hair standing up on the back of my neck with MLB choosing to make so many rule changes simultaneously. They really need a lesson in how to run a controlled experiment. I realize they might not want to collect 18 years worth of data on one thing at a time, but the smorgasbord they announced for the Atlantic League is well beyond ridiculous. They might as well be playing football or cricket on the diamond this year.

They've used the minor leagues to try out some of their rules ideas.


BTW going back to the mound visit to take out the pitcher only, I disagree with that one in a major way. There are critical times in a game where the pitching coach has to go out there and impart some strategies, find out how a pitcher is feeling and relay that to the manager etc etc. You totally kick strategy and maximizing results if you eliminate those kind of mound visits.

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I wonder what the backlash was like in past eras for other changes.

Inter league play, first wild card, DH, all of it.

[TripleCrown9]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I wonder what the backlash was like in past eras for other changes.

Inter league play, first wild card, DH, all of it.

Minimal because the internet either didn't exist or was still in it's infancy.

People are much more vocal about every single opinion because they have the platform.

I've said the same thing about why people hate Alabama being so good or the Warriors or whatever.