MLB Off-Topic

[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Teams can still do unintentional intentional walks

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I don't recall any instances of a pitcher going against his coach and refusing to issue an IBB when called upon, so not sure I understand the issue here besides the fact that he's not actually throwing the ball. I would assume that pitcher at the time would get hit with walk just as he would had be lobbed four pitches over.

I do agree however that of all the ways to save time, this will by far be the least impactful.

Not straight up refusing, but he has the control to should he want to. Not a good decision to make at all (and nothing you'd see happen), but now you have no control whatsoever. When Bumgarner stares down Bochy as he calls an intentional walk, at the end of the day it is still Bum throwing the pitches that forces the walk. That legal delivery earns him the walk on his stat sheet. I don't believe the same should be said for a four-finger salute.

It's like if they made a rule that allowed you to move a runner over one base with the cost of an out. Imagine being a batter when this is called upon with you. Now imagine the regular scenario where you are being asked to bunt, where literally anything could happen (get it down, don't get it down, make it to 1B, double play, get it called off later, butcher-play, etc.). Even if that was a rule, I don't think the batter should be credited with a sacrifice. It wasn't even his to make happen. It was forced upon him.

[Mabster]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I hear Jon Lester is advocating removing pickoffs and making runners stand on bases till the pitch is thrown. All in the name of pace of play of course.

/s

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Teams can still do unintentional intentional walks

With that in mind, they should eliminate the intentional walk. Want to put him on first base? Earn it. Throw four pitches out of the zone that the hitter doesn't strike at and the catcher stops from runners advancing.

That's why the IBB was always just a technicality anyway. Who are we to say that what they are doing is intentional? Because the catcher stood up? Everything was still legal that they did. Now we are issuing them an actual free pass. Heck, if it's automatic, the batter should be able to accept or decline it. What are they going to do if the umpire points to first base and the batter says, "No!" Call him out?

This did not need to be changed. I don't mind eliminating it altogether, but this did not need to be changed.

[Trevytrev11]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Not straight up refusing, but he has the control to should he want to. Not a good decision to make at all (and nothing you'd see happen), but now you have no control whatsoever. When Bumgarner stares down Bochy as he calls an intentional walk, at the end of the day it is still Bum throwing the pitches that forces the walk. That legal delivery earns him the walk on his stat sheet. I don't believe the same should be said for a four-finger salute.

It's like if they made a rule that allowed you to move a runner over one base with the cost of an out. Imagine being a batter when this is called upon with you. Now imagine the regular scenario where you are being asked to bunt, where literally anything could happen (get it down, don't get it down, make it to 1B, double play, get it called off later, butcher-play, etc.). Even if that was a rule, I don't think the batter should be credited with a sacrifice. It wasn't even his to make happen. It was forced upon him.

As a former pitcher, it wouldn't bother me either way if I threw the pitches and "earned" the walk or just let him walk to first on the coaches call. I would not have remorse over not getting to throw those four pitches.

The difference in your example is the sacrifice is a competitive play every time from both sides of the ball. The batter has to execute to not just make contact, but make the correct contact to place the ball in the right spot. The defense has to react and then make a decision as to take a risk on the lead runner or or go after the hitter.

The intentional walk is the pitcher throwing four lobs while the batter stands there completely disinterested with the bat rested on his shoulder in no position at all to capitalize on a mistake.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

This rule doesn't bother me it's the other stuff Manfred want's to implement that concerns me. For some reason he/they are trying to attract the fans that watch only 5 games a year that still won't watch. I'm pretty sure that If you somehow got a 3 hour game to 2 Hour and 45 Minute those fans still aren't watching.

Baseball is fine leave it alone.

/end rant

[Blzer]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

The difference in your example is the sacrifice is a competitive play every time from both sides of the ball. The batter has to execute to not just make contact, but make the correct contact to place the ball in the right spot. The defense has to react and then make a decision as to take a risk on the lead runner or or go after the hitter.

The intentional walk is the pitcher throwing four lobs while the batter stands there completely disinterested with the bat rested on his shoulder in no position at all to capitalize on a mistake.

I didn't equate them as the same thing, I was only marking the emotion that a batter would have when control is taken away from you, and how it would differ when it is automatically done versus "suggested."

I'm liking the idea more of removing the intentional walk altogether now that I've typed it out. Or, as I said, put the batter in control of whether he wants first base or not. Not taking the base is actually bold strategy, Cotton.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Manfred knows passing this rule wont affect people from watching, so really he has nothing to lose, but I don't see any gain here either.

It's just unnecessary.

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[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Manfred knows passing this rule wont affect people from watching, so really he has nothing to lose, but I don't see any gain here either.

It's just unnecessary.

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He probably sees it as largely symbolic. Just to show he is serious, and that he knows he needs to take action on pace of play. People are just gonna have to get used to these types of rule changes on a yearly basis. The people in charge feel that baseball needs to evolve.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

He probably sees it as largely symbolic. Just to show he is serious, and that he knows he needs to take action on pace of play. People are just gonna have to get used to these types of rule changes on a yearly basis. The people in charge feel that baseball needs to evolve.

Yep these ideas were inconceivable, almost laughable 10 years ago. And now we're changing things for the sake of change.

When in reality, baseball is as healthy as ever, and if they truly wanted to elevate baseball. They'd flood commercials with MLB advertisements.

My little cousin knows nothing about baseball, but he knows who Trout and Harper are.

MLB has to do a hell of a better job targeting a younger audience, I think it's improving. But they've really overall been terrible at it. Although the WBC seems to have been a good idea.


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[Money99]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Any discussion on the Expos coming back?

Regarding the proposed rule chamges, I'm ok with a pitch clock and less mound visits.
I love the game but there are so many useless man-made rain delays something has to be done.
It's only been in the past 25 years the length of games has gotten out of control.
There's no reason for players like Pedrioa to step out to stretch his face and check his straps 18x between pitches.
Thats not baseball. It's a psychosis.

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[dubcity]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

Yep these ideas were inconceivable, almost laughable 10 years ago. And now we're changing things for the sake of change.

I think they fear falling further and further behind the NFL. And they see the NFL changing their rules on a yearly basis, in spite of still being the top sport by far, and it drives it home even more.

When in reality, baseball is as healthy as ever, and if they truly wanted to elevate baseball. They'd flood commercials with MLB advertisements.

My little cousin knows nothing about baseball, but he knows who Trout and Harper are.

MLB has to do a hell of a better job targeting a younger audience, I think it's improving. But they've really overall been terrible at it. Although the WBC seems to have been a good idea.


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Yeah, they've been guilty of taking their fan base for granted for years and years now. They just assume that because of all the tradition, and families passing the sport down for generations, that they'll be fine. The social media era/generation has been a bit of a swing and miss for them. (*crickets*)

[DamnYanks2]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

I think they fear falling further and further behind the NFL. And they see the NFL changing their rules on a yearly basis, in spite of still being the top sport by far, and it drives it home even more.


Yeah, they've been guilty of taking their fan base for granted for years and years now. They just assume that because of all the tradition, and families passing the sport down for generations, that they'll be fine. The social media era/generation has been a bit of a swing and miss for them. (*crickets*)

They'll never catch the NFL, That is truly America's sport, not mine, but it's pretty clear it is with the general public ,and that won't change.

And they won't ever have the marketing the NBA does, they do the best at flooding the media with all things NBA. Nobody is going to foot locker to buy Bryce Harper cleats lol.

But if Manfred wants more interest, he's really got to revamp MLB's marketing as a whole, because it's awful.

That's how you gain new fans, not getting rid of IBB's, introducing a pitch clock, or putting a player on second base to start extra innings. That won't push the needle anywhere, and all you do is piss off the purists, that already stuck with your sport, that endured an embarrassing lockout, and the steroid era.

Get smarter Manfred.



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[Majingir]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

My little cousin knows nothing about baseball, but he knows who Trout and Harper are.

MLB has to do a hell of a better job targeting a younger audience, I think it's improving. But they've really overall been terrible at it. Although the WBC seems to have been a good idea.


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If MLB focuses mostly on big markets, you'll just have more bandwagon fans for teams like Yankees and people who know next to nothing about anything else.

NBA as much as I hate them showing Lakers,knicks no matter how bad they are, at least they do show superstar matchups for the most part.

Even NHL is starting to do this. They suck at marketing in general, but they're trying real hard to make the next generation of players overhyped and overmarketed.

In MLB, good teams should be marketed over big market ones cause in MLB, wouldn't you rather see a team that can hit or pitch vs a big market team that sucks, or some other bad team with just 1 good guy on it?

[DamnYanks2]

Re: MLB Off-Topic

If MLB focuses mostly on big markets over big players, then things won't improve. You'll just have more bandwagon fans for teams like Yankees and people who know next to nothing about anything else.

NBA as much as I hate them showing Lakers,knicks no matter how bad they are, at least they do show superstar matchups for the most part.

Even NHL is starting to do this. They suck at marketing in general, but they're trying real hard to make the next generation of players overhyped and overmarketed.

That's how you do it Majingir. You flood the media with big names, Trout, Harper, Sanchez, Bryant, Betts. and yes you unfortunately cater to the big markets.

That's what the nba does so well. They flood you with James Harden, Russel Westbrook, Kyrie, etc.. especially the footlocker commercials are genius.

And of course it helps with the nba, they have the massive shoe crowd.

I'm not sure anyone will ever line up to buy Bryce Harper and Manny Machado cleats. But they've got to start pushing these players hard, that they are cool, and you want to wear their gear.

Plenty of kids don't watch Rockets games religiously but they do know Harden well, and they will watch. NBA markets their players so well, and then there's the MLB lol.





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