MLB

[beej]

there are so many things that I hate about the game now.

the Venues:
I hate being at the game and wondering if my car will still be there when the games over.

the Game:
the DH. I loved the strategy of deciding whether to pull a pitcher or let him bat
the Shift: remember when there use to be switch hitters? Why in the Hell can't a hitter beat the shift?
Scared Pitchers: My goodness just throw the dang ball
HItters: adjusting batting gloves every pitch


Politics in sports. From the players to the commentators. I just want the game, not the opinions and social commentary. If they have something they want to say or be an activist for, fine! do it outside of the ball park.

Professional Sports in General: I still haven't got past the Rams leaving St Louis. I gave up a lot of Sunday afternoons following that team watching bad football and they then left, and they cost the local governments millions in potential stadium designs, real estate deals, and an empty 20 year old stadium. I am just not throwing an money or wasting time at a professional sport again.

If any of these teams want me back as a fan, they will have to do better than what they have done so far to alienate me.

[Del.]

On a 3-2 pitch there is a 75% chance that the batter fouls the next pitch off

[Del.]

I've grown to like the DH.

[Tim Johnson]

I'm down for the pitch clock. No reason we should have to endure 4+ hour games.

Taking away the shift is bullshit, IMHO.

I don't like the shift, but I understand it. It's was especially helpful for the smaller market/payroll teams going up against big $$$ power hitting lineups, cough-Yankees-cough.

There was nothing stopping hitters from adapting to the shift, besides their own laziness.

What other pro sport is told by league headquarters how they can play defense? Would the NFL tell teams they can't run a nickel package on 3rd and 10? Does the NBA mandate a man or zone defense? Fuck no.

Make the hitters beat the defense they are presented with.

You can blame the shifts and the "bat angle" on GTO. (Game theory optimal) It's in every major league sport now and soon will be in college sports soon if not already. It's been in poker and chess for around ten years.

[JParis]

What other pro sport is told by league headquarters how they can play defense?

Umm, Hockey....they essentially took away the Trap defense..Hockey has also allowed goalie pads to get bigger....they've enlarged the offensive zones, making defense harder...they changed the offside rule.

Ahh, Football has essentially neutered defenses and made hitting the QB all but impossible...

 

[Incogneeto]

Uhhh



We all know the rules.

You changed them cause your a Dick!!

Same as ESPN the Paymore Station and The NFL. (Not For Long)

$$$$$$$

Couldn't just Play The Game.

Had To Fuck it up.

I will be happy to attend the Minor League games in our area.

[Dan_AKA_ROY23]

Looks like the Rays are adjusting to the new rules. 12-0 start! 

These changes were inevitable. Drastic facelift. Been developing for a few years now. Guardians 19 of 21 in steal attempts! Pitchers handcuffed by the limited amount of pickoff attempts allowed. Bigger bases (WTF is that???). Shifts banned (but teams still adapt, disguised shifts..SS and 2nd baseman really close to 2nd base bag, etc.)

With the new pitch clock, most are saying "pitchers need to adjust" but its as big or more an adjustment for hitters. Batters can only call one timeout per plate appearance. That screws up their routines they've been doing their entire careers.

Extra innings. Looks like the designated runner at 2nd is here to stay for regular season games, but not for playoff games. Is that an admittance it's really 'not how baseball is meant to be played'? Speeds up extra innings, sure, but is it worth messing with the integrity of the game?

Many changes. Relief pitchers have to face a minimum of 3 batters during an inning. Not sure I like that. Speeds up the game. All these rules designed to speed up game so the instant "microwave" generation start watching. I wonder the balance of that in terms of revenue? Faster game attracts more viewers. But shorter games mean less commercials. Less concession sales.

Baseball is trying to copy the other sports. Sports with a time clock. Baseball has no time. Yet, that's what they're trying to install. To be more like the other sports. But baseball should stay unique. It is NOT like those other, inferior sports!

DH rule now in both leagues. That was bound to happen once interleague games started. I don't like interleague games. Baseball stood out from the other sports. Both leagues different (AL DH, NL no DH). Different strategies. Goodbye double switch, etc.

Oh well. Rant over.

[ghuns]

...But shorter games mean less commercials. Less concession sales...

Beer sales have been extended at every MLB ballpark to the 8th inning because of this.

[Smit]

I just got home from my first Royals game of the year. 3rd row from the field, food and drink included. They were in the crown section. That did not suck.

The Braves abused our pitchers. 5 home runs by 5 different players, a 3 to 10 loss. We looked terrible.

But the game was over in under 3 hours. I liked the pitch clock. It kept the pace of the game moving. We still tried some odd looking legal shifts, Atlanta burned us when we did. Limited pick off attempts helped speed the game up, too.

At one point there was a lengthy review time out which took longer than I think it should have but overall it is a positive change from the 4 hour long games MLB had morphed into.

[HTM01]

Beer sales have been extended at every MLB ballpark to the 8th inning because of this.

yeah
because who doesn't need another $14 beer

[Incogneeto]

yeah
because who doesn't need another $14 BUD LIGHT!!

Fixed