I liked pretty much every new rule they implemented last year, but this one doesn't make sense.
Of the recent major rule changes, here is what I like and don't like.
Likes:
Pitch clock. I thought it would be intrusive. It has sped up the game, and does make it more fun to watch.
Indifferent:
Limiting pitcher pickoff attempts. I guess this is fine. It is boring, but I think it does put too much of a burden on the pitcher.
Bigger bases. They look a little weird, but fine.
Dislike:
Ghost runner on 2nd base for extra innings. It is just stupid, and means most games the team has to score 2 runs in the extra inning to win. Not sure it really shortens extra inning games.
Requiring a reliever to pitch to three batters or finish the inning. This has had less of an impact than I believed, but I still think it is an impermissible limitation on strategy.
Prohibiting the shift. Similar to my thoughts on the reliever pitching rule. I didn't like it all when proposed, but not sure it has had a huge impact.
I liked pretty much every new rule they implemented last year, but this one doesn't make sense.
Dislike:
Ghost runner on 2nd base for extra innings. It is just stupid, and means most games the team has to score 2 runs in the extra inning to win. Not sure it really shortens extra inning games.
Requiring a reliever to pitch to three batters or finish the inning. This has had less of an impact than I believed, but I still think it is an impermissible limitation on strategy.
Prohibiting the shift. Similar to my thoughts on the reliever pitching rule. I didn't like it all when proposed, but not sure it has had a huge impact.
Ghost runner in extra innings - This is fine for the REGULAR SEASON. Fuck those 15 inning games that last 4-5 hours. I equate this to a shootout during the NHL regular season. Just don't change it for the playoffs. It absolutely does shorten games.
Requiring a reliever to pitch to 3 batters or end the inning - Meh, I don't have a problem with this. Fuck those lefty relievers that only come in to face 1 batter. Learn to pitch to righties too. Less pitching changes during the inning keeps the game moving.
Prohibiting the shift - No problem with this. There are still ways to semi-shift if they get creative. I'm not passionate about this rule but I don't think it ruins the game.
DH for the National League - I "get" the old school guys that want to keep the original baseball rules, and I understand the genius that's required to make a double shift (lol) but having different rules for the AL and NL in this day and age of interleague play, is ridiculous. They needed to make the rules universal and the DH isn't going away because it allows aging stars to stay in the game longer and increases offense which is what the younger fans want. Without the recent rule changes, the sport was slowly dying and I honestly think most of these changes saved the game long term. I hate Manfred but I think these changes were necessary.
I do respect ldot and the other "purists" but it's a better game for the fans now IMHO.
