What is MLB Thinking?

It would seem Robert Manfred, the new commissioner of ‘the big leagues’ can’t wait to sink his teeth into the MLB’s rulebook. I see sort of why he thinks his are ideas are good. Given that recently MLB had a nice little run of good ideas, such as finally adding instant replay, manager challenges, and adding a second wild-card into the post-season, which were brilliant ideas, perhaps more is more. Plus, true baseball fans are open to intelligent change which does not tarnish tradition.

Then again, the new two ideas I keep reading about also contradict each other. It is possible we should let the idea machine rest. Of course, just our luck, this is how the rule of Manfred will begin in baseball. He offers us opposing ideas meant to “help” the game, but could actually jeopardize the interest level of current fans. Let’s open the page to these suggestions.

For a while now there has been a bunch of chatter about pace of the game and how they are too long for fans. So what do the MLB franchise owners and Mr. Manfred propose? Wait for it…tick…tick…tick…a time clock. A 20 second pitch clock is believed to be a solution to speeding up the pace and shortening the length. This season in double A and triple A minor league level games the 20 second pitch clock is going to intrude upon tradition. No word yet on when they intend to call up this this disaster to the big leagues.

I can see it now, instant replay being wasted on it, did the pitcher release the ball in time and manager’s using a challenge on it. I see more arguing with the umpires. It’s a turn-off to traditional fans of the game and I can see another unintended consequence, more arm injuries to pitchers. Then later pitchers wanting to prevent arm injuries will throw a little bit less heat at the plate to pace themselves. Then what happens? Slower, easier pitches create more offense. It will make innings and the game l-o-n-g-e-r.

Lastly, baseball will lose a part of its uniqueness. Baseball has never been subject to a time clock. Baseball tells time by the calendar as rival teams race for playoff spots and division crowns take shape under the splendor of autumn’s golden leaves. It has also told time through nine innings of play, outs, balls and strikes. Convoluting it with a pitch clock scratches the paint job on the hood of baseball.

Now the other dopey proposal is to declare the defensive shifts against pull hitters illegal on the diamond. The claim is simply they want more offense and excitement for fans. Again they have not apparently realized more offense will lengthen games. What is the real motivation here?

(Video Courtesy of MLB.com)

For those who are not aware I am attaching a photo and videos for you to see common defensive positioning and the extreme defensive shifts designed to stop pull hitters. This strategy is believed to have been invented in the 1920’s. It became infamously known as the Williams shift when teams applied it on the unbelievably awesome Ted Williams back in the 40’s and 50’s. It has also become super popular in the last few years against great pull hitters like David Ortiz. Some hitters (video for demonstration attached below) have adapted to hit the ball to the opposite side of the field that is wide open. Some never learn. Either way it is a part of the game.

(Video Courtesy of MLB.com)

The common baseball fan loves the nutrition for thought we receive in all of the strategies employed between hitter and pitcher, and the various offensive and defensive tactics used by different managers. The Kansas City Royals for example use speed on the bases with timely bunts and steals. They use that same speed to cover lots of ground and play amazing team defense. Others employ a lineup of lumberjacks who thump doubles and home runs, and while some big guys aren’t too swift, they make up for it by having rocket launchers called an arm to throw out runners.

Some pitchers rely on a very, very fast, fastball. Those who can’t sling it as hard rely on sneaky pitches like curves, knuckleballs, changeups, forks, or sinkers. I hope baseball doesn’t outlaw the slider pitch because it is too hard for some guys to hit. I sincerely hope someone can talk Robert Manfred and the MLB ownership out of making these heinous decisions.

(Video Courtesy of MLB.com)