Ways to make Baseball more exciting

[vikinguk]

Another season gone, and yet the biggest problem with baseball still remains, the games are too long.
Like everyone on this forum i love baseball but come on the length of the playoff games was like over 4 hours for most of the games.
Look at why footballs so good 3 hours game done, basketball even less time to watch a game, Hockey ok no one cares about Hockey, but you see my point.
Here's a list of things they could do to make the games faster.
First the biggest problem without a doubt, Get rid of the DH, if you cant play defense tough learn how to. Ortiz did ok in the world series.
No 7th inning stretch, ok i no it's tradition but come on who needs to stretch.
Limit how many mound visits you can have, like 2 a game.
No warming up on the mound, you can warm up in the bullpen why do you have to warm up on the mound, it would be the same for everyone.
Widen the strikezone.
And last raise the mound todays hitters are just too powerfull for the pitchers, in the World series hardly any pitcher got any strikeouts.
Just a few ideas so i can do something else in a day than sit at home for 4 hours watching baseball.

[elicoleman]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

I think if FOX stops doing baseball, it automatically becomes a little more exciting.

[elicoleman]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

I think if FOX stops doing baseball, it automatically becomes a little more exciting.

[Stu]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

I agree with changing the DH but think they should have it in the NL as well. Maybe I'm just used to watching the AL but I hate the no DH rule. Watching pitchers try to bat is almost as bad as watching David Ortiz try to field.

I personally don't have a problem with the length of games. Its much longer during the playoffs because of all the production nonsense they go through and playoff games are always longer because the stakes are much higher, more mound visits, checking the runners, etc.

One change they absolutely need to make is to start playoff games earlier. The WS games weren't starting until after 8:30 meaning the earliest it would end is 11:30. Maybe I'm just getting old but this is too late, especially when some of the games were running well past midnight.

[Stu]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

I agree with changing the DH but think they should have it in the NL as well. Maybe I'm just used to watching the AL but I hate the no DH rule. Watching pitchers try to bat is almost as bad as watching David Ortiz try to field.

I personally don't have a problem with the length of games. Its much longer during the playoffs because of all the production nonsense they go through and playoff games are always longer because the stakes are much higher, more mound visits, checking the runners, etc.

One change they absolutely need to make is to start playoff games earlier. The WS games weren't starting until after 8:30 meaning the earliest it would end is 11:30. Maybe I'm just getting old but this is too late, especially when some of the games were running well past midnight.

[SPTO]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

1) REALLY enforce the time limit from the pitcher receiving the ball to actually releasing the pitch. I know they did this a few yrs ago but it seems the umps have forgotten about doing that.

2) stop hitters from stepping out of the batters box or if you REALLY need them to do that then limit it to one time per at bat.

3) limit the number of times a pitcher can throw to the first baseman when a runner is on base.

4) raise the mound to the 1968 height

5) widen the strikezone


Now just a couple things about VikingUK's suggestions:

re: mound visits

What if it's a blowout or a high scoring game? the manager/pitching coach is going to have to go to the mound at least 2 times or more.


re: warming up on the mound

If there is an injury then the reliever HAS to warm up on the mound. You can't have a pitcher going in the game cold. You'd risk serious injury.

[SPTO]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

1) REALLY enforce the time limit from the pitcher receiving the ball to actually releasing the pitch. I know they did this a few yrs ago but it seems the umps have forgotten about doing that.

2) stop hitters from stepping out of the batters box or if you REALLY need them to do that then limit it to one time per at bat.

3) limit the number of times a pitcher can throw to the first baseman when a runner is on base.

4) raise the mound to the 1968 height

5) widen the strikezone


Now just a couple things about VikingUK's suggestions:

re: mound visits

What if it's a blowout or a high scoring game? the manager/pitching coach is going to have to go to the mound at least 2 times or more.


re: warming up on the mound

If there is an injury then the reliever HAS to warm up on the mound. You can't have a pitcher going in the game cold. You'd risk serious injury.

[mjb2124]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

1) REALLY enforce the time limit from the pitcher receiving the ball to actually releasing the pitch. I know they did this a few yrs ago but it seems the umps have forgotten about doing that.

2) stop hitters from stepping out of the batters box or if you REALLY need them to do that then limit it to one time per at bat.

3) limit the number of times a pitcher can throw to the first baseman when a runner is on base.

4) raise the mound to the 1968 height

5) widen the strikezone

Just a few thoughts SPTO:

1. This is a tough one. For one, pitchers take extra time to throw off baserunners. Timing is essential for a base stealer and by staying the set position longer, the baserunner loses that timing. With no baserunners on, the pither should get rid of the ball. Which leads me to #2:

2. 1 and 2 kind of relate to each other. If they can't step out of the box, then they can't get the signs from the 3rd base coach. Remember, if they don't step out the pitcher can pitch. So they can't get signs when in the box. The hitter needs to know when a hit and run is on or when a baserunner is going to steal.

3. Once again, if this happens, it gives the advantage to the baserunner. Say the pitcher has only 3 times to throw over. If the runner keeps getting huge leads and beats the throw back to the bag, after 3 throws the runner pretty much has a SB in the bag (pitcher can't throw over anymore). I think if this were to happen, you'd see the pitcher step off the rubber much more.

4. I agree. It has to go back up. 2 reasons. Offense is ruling the game right now and with the mound higher, it puts less stress on a pitchers arm.

5. I think it just needs to be called as stated in the rulebook. Knees to letters, black to black. Problem is, the human element is involved. Umps have their own strike zones and it's almost impossible to make all of them call the same zone since they might view the same zone differently.

I actually have no problem how long the game of baseball is. Baseball games are typically no longer than football games and I don't see people complaining about the length of those. The playoffs are the exception though due to the added $$$ MLB gets from advertisers.

[mjb2124]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

1) REALLY enforce the time limit from the pitcher receiving the ball to actually releasing the pitch. I know they did this a few yrs ago but it seems the umps have forgotten about doing that.

2) stop hitters from stepping out of the batters box or if you REALLY need them to do that then limit it to one time per at bat.

3) limit the number of times a pitcher can throw to the first baseman when a runner is on base.

4) raise the mound to the 1968 height

5) widen the strikezone

Just a few thoughts SPTO:

1. This is a tough one. For one, pitchers take extra time to throw off baserunners. Timing is essential for a base stealer and by staying the set position longer, the baserunner loses that timing. With no baserunners on, the pither should get rid of the ball. Which leads me to #2:

2. 1 and 2 kind of relate to each other. If they can't step out of the box, then they can't get the signs from the 3rd base coach. Remember, if they don't step out the pitcher can pitch. So they can't get signs when in the box. The hitter needs to know when a hit and run is on or when a baserunner is going to steal.

3. Once again, if this happens, it gives the advantage to the baserunner. Say the pitcher has only 3 times to throw over. If the runner keeps getting huge leads and beats the throw back to the bag, after 3 throws the runner pretty much has a SB in the bag (pitcher can't throw over anymore). I think if this were to happen, you'd see the pitcher step off the rubber much more.

4. I agree. It has to go back up. 2 reasons. Offense is ruling the game right now and with the mound higher, it puts less stress on a pitchers arm.

5. I think it just needs to be called as stated in the rulebook. Knees to letters, black to black. Problem is, the human element is involved. Umps have their own strike zones and it's almost impossible to make all of them call the same zone since they might view the same zone differently.

I actually have no problem how long the game of baseball is. Baseball games are typically no longer than football games and I don't see people complaining about the length of those. The playoffs are the exception though due to the added $$$ MLB gets from advertisers.

[AWS88]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

the only things i agree with are raising the mound and possibly doing away with the DH.

[AWS88]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

the only things i agree with are raising the mound and possibly doing away with the DH.

[glucklich]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

3) limit the number of times a pitcher can throw to the first baseman when a runner is on base.

4) raise the mound to the 1968 height

5) widen the strikezone

I like these except what they really need to do is call the real strike zone. If its close on 3-2 it should be a strike...the batter should be protecting and if not you get what you get. They really need to start calling the strike at the armpit again. And heres another one: if the batter bends his knees and squats during a pitch (shrinking his strikezone) it should automatically be a strike.

Your best suggestion however, is limiting the number of times one is able to throw to first. There was a time when it was actually possible (and in fact common) for someone to steal over 60 bases. And the number should be something around 5.

I have another one which is extremely difficult due to their union and that is they should have relegation for the umpiring crews. That is, the best AAA umpiring crews should get to move up while the ones who are least proficient (with an emphasis on enforcing the real strike zone) should be sent down.

[glucklich]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

3) limit the number of times a pitcher can throw to the first baseman when a runner is on base.

4) raise the mound to the 1968 height

5) widen the strikezone

I like these except what they really need to do is call the real strike zone. If its close on 3-2 it should be a strike...the batter should be protecting and if not you get what you get. They really need to start calling the strike at the armpit again. And heres another one: if the batter bends his knees and squats during a pitch (shrinking his strikezone) it should automatically be a strike.

Your best suggestion however, is limiting the number of times one is able to throw to first. There was a time when it was actually possible (and in fact common) for someone to steal over 60 bases. And the number should be something around 5.

I have another one which is extremely difficult due to their union and that is they should have relegation for the umpiring crews. That is, the best AAA umpiring crews should get to move up while the ones who are least proficient (with an emphasis on enforcing the real strike zone) should be sent down.

[bearcats_0405]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

I think the baseball season length should be changed or the scheduling should be changed. To me it gets boring seeing the Cincinnati Reds play every NL central team 18 times a year. I think they should play more interleague games and shorten the divison games by a few, so they can see some new faces every once in a while.

[bearcats_0405]

Re: Ways to make Baseball more exciting

I think the baseball season length should be changed or the scheduling should be changed. To me it gets boring seeing the Cincinnati Reds play every NL central team 18 times a year. I think they should play more interleague games and shorten the divison games by a few, so they can see some new faces every once in a while.