Four of the majors’ 30 teams will open the regular season July 23, while the other 26 will begin on the 24th, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. As a 60-game campaign with various notable rule changes – including a universal designated hitter – as well as possibly no fans in the stands, it figures to go down as one of the strangest baseball seasons ever. Of course, those are far from the only aspects of the sport that will be drastically altered this year. Extra-innings games will also look far different, to name one example.
Every year features at least some marathon games, but it appears we’ll see far fewer this regular season. Once the 10th inning rolls around (and if games extend beyond then), the hitting team will have a distinct advantage because it will begin the frame with a runner on second. That player will be the one who made the last out in the previous inning, though clubs will be able to select a pinch runner if they wish. Should the runner who started the inning on second score, the pitcher would not be charged with an earned run. Notably, this change to extras will not extend into the playoffs, nor is it sure to stick around past this year.
There are at least a couple potential pros to this rule, which has been used in the minor leagues and in the World Baseball Classic in recent years. For one, it should help teams keep relievers’ workloads down. It will also undoubtedly help speed up games, as J.J. Cooper of Baseball America explains that 44 percent of minor league games from 2016-17 ended before the 11th inning. But since the minors placed a runner on second in 2018, 73 percent of extra-inning contests have concluded in the 10th. Additionally, there’s an argument it makes games more exciting, considering the level of drama’s turned up right at the start of extras.
On the flip side, there are lots of baseball fans who don’t mind the occasional extra-long game, not to mention plenty of purists who don’t want the game revised to such a significant extent. Astros manager Dusty Baker is one prominent example of someone who’s not thrilled with the rule, as he told Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, “This will be something new for us, but I hope it doesn’t go into next year or subsequent years.”
Are you in agreement with Baker, or are you hoping this new setup will have staying power? (Poll link for app users)
I would rather like to see a player in first base than in second in extra innings.
I would rather see none
Write this down boys. 2 Cardinal posts to lead this article comment section and I agree with both.
Cardinals….they at least play good NL baseball. Not the trash Halo harps about….
Well the point is to really encourage quick scoring. My idea was a sudden death top of the 10th. If the away team scores, they win. If the home team can get three outs, they win.
The point should be to keep the beauty of the game intact. I obviously care but the changes are not baseball. Sort of like shortening a golf course or making the course otherwise easier to better fit in a TV time slot.
So the game shouldn’t have any amendments ever? Should we get rid of the DH slot?
Yes and yes.
If there were never any rule changes since the game started we wouldn’t even recognize it. Change is an inevitable part of every sport
Ugh with this “if you don’t like this change then you must hate all change” argument. It’s infantile and has been refuted time and time again
Vote yes in both
It’s what people resort to when they don’t have a real argument for what is said.
Cosmodeus, you kinda just explained the current state of the country.
Yes please get rid of the DH whose purpose when it started was to raise the level of offense. Pitchers need to again learn how to hit which is half of the fabric of the game.
There’s reasonable/good changes and artificial nonsense that simply is not part of the game we love. I’ve said it before, why didn’t the NBA either adjust the rim height for Wilt or Shaq?
@findingnemo. Lol, agree with you. Many dummies believe our ‘founding fathers’ were infallible when the Constitution was written. Spoiler alert: They weren’t!
I’m pretty sure, they never envisioned automatic weapons.
I love the sudden death idea. That sounds fair!
Except that the home team would win more often then not. Especially in the era of a strikeout is just another out, and no more damaging then any other out.
Doesn’t seem like a bad thing to me.
Cant start a runner on first because of the double play, would defeat the purpose
Change just for changes sake doesn’t make sense though.
Why do games have to end more quickly? If the goal was to get more games in with double headers then sure, I see the point.
I can’t logically see the point now though.
Actually, we should probably start by looking at how many extra innings they typically go on average to see if this makes sense
I don’t have up to the date stats, but an article published 2017 took a look at this
beyondtheboxscore.com/platform/amp/2017/8/5/160933…
From 2012-2017, 1200 extra inning games were played. 43% of those ended in the 10th inning anyway. 81% ended by the 12th inning.
Gotta say, this doesn’t exactly sound like a problem to me. Not enough to start putting a guy on second automatically.
But everyone has their own opinion.
Exactly what I told my baseball friends today.
Putting one at first sets up the double play, defeating the purpose.
putting a guy on second is a bunt and a ball to the outfield. not really riveting baseball imo
In every aspect of our lives, 2020 is a weird year. We’ll have to just chalk this up to being another freak thing, and let it go. Not worth getting upset about.
BS to that. Were better off protesting by not watching so MLB understands by manipulating the game, traditional fans won’t support it. While they’re looking to reach the younger audience, they still have to appease the older fan who during the pandemic might be better equipped to finance those purchases MLB needs. If this succeeds what’s next? Go back to 10 or 11 max pitching staffs and force those on the mound to learn how to pitch. If hitting has improved due to strength, adjust the size of the stadium or raise the mound so it’s fair. Reverse what has occurred over the years giving hitters too much of an advantage.
Not upset but these rule changes will stick.
I’m upset as these rule changes suck.
Lame, why not just let it end in a tie after a few extra innings?
Because this is an idea they’ve been talking about for a couple of years, and this is their excuse to be able to test it out. That’s the only thing that bothers me about it. That the league ends up liking it, and adopting it forever at some point.
I agree Wiffleball
At least before night games they had ties. Did they ever have this extra innings rule before?
Tie game after the 12th inning?
I agree. While I don’t think long extra innings games are a problem that really needs fixing, calling a game a tie after 10 or 12 innings is a far better idea in my eyes than this silly rule
Just seems so unecessary. I can’t see in any way how this cuts down on game times to a significant enough of an amount to justify it. You probably only get one, two, maybe, but extremely rarely three of those marathon games a year where it goes 16+ innings, but that’s very rare. Most games that go to extras end in the 10th or 11th innings. Hope it doesn’t extend past 2020.
Hmmmm… no sir, I don’t like it.
If it’s ONLY for this year, given the pandemic, whatever. I hate it, but I can deal. If it extends beyond, it’s another prime example of how they’re going to ruin the magic of the game.
100% agreed, on both points. I am fine with it as an aberration during a freak year, but as an ongoing solution to “speed up the game” or to “make it more exciting”… no way.
exactly this.
Why have one set of rules for the season be it 162 or 60 and then different rules for the playoffs? Reminds me of the September call up rule that is finally to get changed. The roster is built on a long season and using up the arms in the pen is part of the equation. By not abusing those arms, the Yankees theoretically should have a big time advantage with that pen. The last few years they’ve however been burnt out. That should not happen with this stupid rule change.
Football has different ot rules for season and playoffs too. So does hockey. That part doesn’t bother me. It’s the fact that it changes the game a lot. If this needs to happen then start it in the 11th or 12th inning or something. Not right away.
Doesn’t make it right. The overtime rule is as stupid as this. Ties in football were acceptable to most when there was no overtime.
Yeah 14 inning games are so magical. You can tell just how magical they are by all the 23 fans that stay until the end.
Those kinds of games are really fun even if there is nobody left in the stands. Afterall, the ones who left are probably watching on TV or listening on the radio.
Bingo!
And those 23 fans usually had crappy seats, and end up sitting wherever they want…..plus they have all the foul balls to themselves.
Those 23 fans in the stands will be better than the ZERO who will attend games this year. With the recent spike in COVID-19 in most of the southern states and California I’ll be shocked if the 2020 season even makes it through a 60-game schedule.
MLB would have been wiser to just cancel this season and prioritize 2021 while working out a long term agreement with the MLBPA ahead of its soon to expire CBA. Instead of being proactive for the long term health of the game during this pandemic all we have seen is petty acrimony which most of us don’t want to hear about as we deal with our own physical, emotional and financial problems.
A glum assessment with which I agree.
I HATE IT
And btw just let there be normal extras like c’mon it’s only a 60 game season. More innings the better.
I’m still looking for any evidence that the extra inning thing actually shortens games a noticeable amount. Sure it increases scoring, but if it increases scoring on both sides equally then the frequency of tied scores will probably stay close to the same.
Really don’t like this new rule. I enjoy those rare 18 inning marathon games, they’re so damn fun. Hope this only lasts for one year.
Yea, I’ve never heard a single fan complain about extra inning games, especially the 18 inning ones.
I’ve heard the people on MLB Network complain about them countless times, but have never heard a real fan have a problem.
I was at an 18 inning game. Loved it.
Because if we don’t want to continue watching we simply go to bed lol.
If there is a runner on second base, that runner almost scores every time. It happened in the minor league games i watched. Really, all it takes is a sac bunt and a sac fly to bring a runner home.
Can back this up having watched youth baseball for a long time at the complex I work at. It solves nothing. The teams are still at an equal chance of scoring or not scoring. So what is the point.
The MLB pitchers are obviously better at reducing runs (well some teams are) than youth leagues. But the point still remains. Either no one scores or both score and you go to the next inning in the same spot again.
All this is going to do is lead to everyone taking hero swings trying to score two on one swing. Which just leads to no hits for inning after inning.
My team once got a triple play in the 8th inning of one of these extra inning games, wound up winning on wild pitch. But yeah, the rule is terrible.
The first time they do this stupid thing the pitcher should just keep throwing the ball to second base until the runner is picked off. No matter how long it takes so they cancel this stupid idea.
lol
anything manfraud touches it turns into feces.
exceedingly stupid at best
Extra innings burns up the players, especially the bullpen. Any new ideas on how to do extra innings should be heard.
I love watching the SS pitch.
The penalty for failing to win in regulation is burning out your bullpen and straining your catchers. Or you can punt, put your backup right fielder in, and play for tomorrow. The we’ve never coddled managers that chose to tax their bullpens in regulation – why nerf their extra-innings decisions? Why shouldn’t a team have to trade their ability to win tomorrow for a better shot at winning today, isnt that the choice you make running out your best starters or giving Mike Trout an off day?
Its not the last out bit the last completed AB who will start at second
I would allow each team to activate four players from their taxi squad, who are already presumably with the team practicing just in case and won’t present a further COVID-19 risk, two pitchers, a catcher (if the team is only carrying two), and one or two position players, starting in the 10th inning. It will give the teams a chance to save their pen and not force them to use their starting catcher for extras. Sure, this will cause service time issues, but we are anticipating a lot of back and forth on the active roster anyway. If they do the stunt with a runner on second, make it after the 12th, please.
How can you put so much weight on every single game, yet do something this ridiculous in the 10th inning.
Baseball is a 9 inning game. If you cant score more runs by then, then you have to face the extra inning rules. And both teams play by the same rules, and both get a chance to score. Not sure what all the whining is about.
If baseball were a 9 inning game, then it’d be over after 9 innings and this wouldn’t be a thing. But it’s not and this is. Perhaps a better understanding of the game would shed some light on the, “whining”. Or continue to be ignorant.
As a fan of 48 yrs I think the extra inning and relief pitcher ( 3 batter minimum) are the worst thing to happen to baseball .
These are like backyard rules and prove that Manfred is ONLY there for the money and NOT a true fan of THE game !!!!!
Why not just make second base alternative home plate in extras? This is worse than stupid.
I favor anything that triggers grumpy old traditionalists. The thought of them being upset over this rule change makes me very happy.
While i agree with that line of thinking, i still think the extra inning rule isnt great. Keep the DH tho
Yeah I don’t mind the DH or a more restrictive clock or anything else. The extra inning rule in particular is just bad.
Yea, but why? So you’re only supporting it because the vast majority dislike it?
that’s called being a troll
Are you suggesting that baseball fans like to complain?!?!?
Maybe the little league rule is for health reasons. Traveling after an extra inning game then another game could be effective in depleting their charm. Or so what? This is just something for now. Complaining or worrying about something that hasn’t happened is for some a way of life. Ouch. K sir rah sir rah.
The same people who were complaining about no season a few days ago are now complaining because there will be a season. Hmmm…
Until I actually see such data I won’t just blindly assume it exists. It’s cool if you operate differently.
I know I’m in the minority, but I’m 100% for this change. It’s not “changing baseball” if you’re just changing the rules of extra innings. There should alway be rules in place to expedite the game once in extras. Baseball is a 9 inning game. After that, all is fair game.
Then come up with a better rule. This one in particular just sucks. I would prefer sudden death over this easily.
“Baseball is a 9 inning game. After that , all is fair game.” … this is very flawed logic. Sometimes baseball games have more than 9 innings. That’s part of the game, and the tenth inning doesn’t logically trigger a free for all where anything goes and nothing matters, as you suggest. Just absurd.
Like many others, I see 2020 as a bit of a joke year for MLB. So do whatever to make it fun. If it works well, what the heck. Sure jumps the pressure on both teams quickly in extras, but sure beats doing, say, a home run competition (which I see as the equivalent of hockey and soccer’s shootout method).
Slow pitch softball teams in my area use this rule.
Seriously, are you from Rayland OH? Know it well if so
The idea upsets me so much that I am fit to be tied.
One of my best childhood memories was an 18 inning Pirates vs Cubs game in 1977. New extra inning rule is the dumbest baseball idea ever. . BTW: I also hate the DH.
Dumbest commissioner in baseball history. If baseball survives him Tony Clark will ruin.
Tony Clark will ruin it.
I wanted the home run derby scenario
So basically Manfred is using the shortened season as an ‘in’ for all the fanciful experimentations he’s been trial-ballooning over the years (DH in NL; weird extra innings rules; expanded playoffs.)
Just fantastic. Worst commissioner in MLB history, we’re watching a legend be born before our eyes.
IF there is a need to change the rules, then at least make the teams earn the win with offense. Start by giving teams in the 10th a “run” for every batter reaching 3rd base. (i.e. if a runner is doubled home from second it would count as two runs. A solo triple would be one run.) In the 11th, the runs start counting when runners reach 2nd base. In the 12th and subsequent innings, the runs start at first base.
If that is too complicated, then just start with each base obtained counting as a run.
It’s pretty unbelievable that fans who watch the NFL change its rules with yearly regularity would have a problem with this. And the NFL messes up the changes often; almost no one agrees on what pass interferance is anymore. Games and division champs are decided by nonsense (in the literal meaning of the term), not by any standard.
I’m not crazy about the 2nd base thing; I’d rather see ties count in the standings. And yes, other sports have ties during the regular season, then play it out during the playoffs. But until then (which will probably not happen until the Rapture), the 2nd base thing works.
Extra innings tax pitching staffs, messes up RSN program schedules (can’t run those MyPillow infomercials) and are in general pain in the butt.
You just gave an example of why people would be hesitant for changes then said you didn’t get why they would be.
They do this in the minor leagues. It is not horrible. In fact, adds some excitement to extra innings. It is being done to not have marathon extra inning games in this shortened season. Keep players well rested and keep travel on time and consistent. Also a big reason why the minors use it. Can’t run an 16 inning game to 1 am and expect the players to hop on a bus and go to the next city. That said, I would hope this is for this year only. If MLB were to consider this for future seasons, it should be for only excessively long games (after 12 innings).
What bothers me about the negative hard core fan reaction to this is how short sighted fans are being. MLB has the oldest fan base of all the major sports. The future of baseball is in the younger generations, and they are not tuning into baseball like the older generations. We’ll die off and so will baseball if we don’t allow some changes to attract the younger fans. Quicker games (they were not always 3 hours long), a quicker pace to the game, the DH in both leagues, and yea, maybe some different extra inning rules. Maybe take a page out of KBO’s book and allow the players to be more expressive, do bat flips and such. Their games are packed with younger people (except this year). Their crowds are raucous and they have cheerleaders.
The KBO and all of Japanese baseball do not face the challenges that MLB faces for younger. There is no NFL or NBA in either of those. So baseball in both draw big crowds.
This rule does not shorten the overwhelming majority of games. Want to make games quicker? Shorten the break between innings to a minute five seconds. Oh, wait, that cuts into revenue from commercials, so we can’t do that..
Want to make the game more exciting? Change the way it is played. Have been watching baseball for close to sixty years. Outside of t-ball, the most boring game I have ever watched was a game last year in Phoenix. Orioles versus D-backs. Every run was either walked in or driven in by a home run. It wasn’t a pitching duel, a hitting duel or an exhibition of slick glove work. It was just bland. The only exciting play in the entire game (O’s catcher’s errant pick off throw) was nullified as the catcher caught the ump’s mask when he went to threw. I have seen more exciting baseball played by eight and nine year olds. Want to make the game exciting? Play some small ball. Learn to bunt, hit and run, etc If the defense puts a shift on the batter so no one is on the left side? Stop trying to beat the shift by hitting the ball over it. Slap it to the left side and take a double. Baseball used to be called the thinking man’s game, so return thinking to the game.
I’m fine with a hybrid.
1st 2 or 3 innings are regular. Any innings after 12th or 13th it’s runner on 2nd 2 outs.
While I don’t outright hate the idea, I don’t like it. None of the reasons given persuade me that is more than another attempt just to change for the sake of change.. I do support changes that add to the game. This one doesn’t clear that bar in my opinion.
If they go through with the 3-batter minimum for pitchers, scoring runs is going to be easier without any further changes.
I don’t like the 3-batter-minimum rule, either, but that’s better than placing a guy on base that didn’t earn the right to be in scoring position. Combining the two is just ridiculous.
Stupid stupid, gimmicky nonsense. Just end it in a tie after 12. Why get more convoluted than that? This rule is just dumb.
I’m a fan of this rule change even if it extends beyond this year.
There’s a way to keep the traditional game in tact while still letting the game evolve and modernize. This should add some excitement to the game. Same with the universal DH. Why play for one goal but under two different sets of rules? No other league does this.
Can’t recall the general response after hockey went to 3-3 OT but that’s been super exciting, hope this is as well.
Part of the motivation is probably to reduce the roster shuffle that is always needed to get fresh pitchers after a 16-inning game. Bringing people back and forth this year is more health risk.
But I’d rather see them call it a tie after 12, or even after 10.
Exactly. I hate the rule, but for this season it makes sense (a tie after 12 would make better sense). This year it’ll be harder to replace a handful of injured pitchers. Reducing the potential of prolonged extra innings reduces the chance of wearing out arms.
They’re going to have clowns run around the bases after the game and whatever player has the biggest beer belly wins a date with Jumbo the elephant. And Bud Selig is going to wander the stands handing out PEDs.
What if you start every batter with a 2 and 2 count in extra innings. Give them just one strike until they are out. Make them put the ball in play or force pitches to throw strikes
What does Manfred and Clark running the bases have to do with anything?
I’m already expecting that in most cases. Managers will walk the 1st guy setting up a possible double play.
I wish they would wait til the 11th inning to do this. As someone posted a stat was 40+% ended anyway with the way it was. What if a Starter was pitching a CG through 9? There have been 10 inning games thrown, it’d be terrible that guy lost in the 10th due to the runner starting on 2nd and scoring on one measly single.
Basically making it begin in the 11th inning wouldn’t change the history of games much. Somebody can figure it completely out, I won’t. A quick search and a 5year stretch the total of games reaching in to the 11th inning was 5%. So, 95% of games end by the end of the 10th. Take the % on 11th inning and it is 97.16% Averages out to 69 games per season past the 11th inning or close to 5 per team.
I hate it, (runner on 2b in xtras) DH? I like no DH, but also like healthy pitchers, so whatever. but if its just for this freak year, fine. Bad baseball is way better than NO BASEBALL. Lets go!
I think my idea would work for purists and new-school people alike. In extra innings the hitting team gets to choose which direction they run the bases, and the defense doesn’t know until the hitter leaves the box.
I don’t like this rule at all, but I’m not going to whine about it like National League “Purists” are about universal DH.
I honestly would rather have ties. I know that baseball never has tie games, but this isn’t a huge thing about the history of the game to me.
I would rather see extra innings be 2 innings, start anywhere in your line up you want to starting the 10th. Whoever is winning after the 11th wins the game. If it’s a tie, then it’s a tie.
I wouldn’t go crazy if my team was 25-22-3 after 50 games. I think we overreact to this sometimes. We wouldn’t care after a year. Its similar to if the DH made it to the NL permanently.
I think These are great things when thinking about speeding up the game, keeping it interesting, and trying to grow the fan base
I was going to post exactly this. I would rather have ties than this, and then when ties are no longer feasible (like the playoffs), just use the system we have now.
Gives players like Billy Hamilton new life
Why is this rule even necessary for the abbreviated 60 game schedule? To help ease players into competition, each club will have a 30-man roster for the first two weeks, 28 for the next two weeks, and the new 26-man active list for the remainder of the season. This is the absolute worst rule MLB has adopted, even surpassing the ludicrous 3-batter minimum rule for pitchers that was already set to take place in 2020 despite the increase to the active roster.
I”m not sure I like the 3-batter rule, but I do support some sort of limit on the number of pitchers that can be used per inning, barring injury. A steady stream of one-batter pitchers is extremely boring and would turn off the average fan.
I believe the 13 pitcher limit that corresponds to the 26-man active roster increase might be sufficient along with the notion that it will be more difficult to use position players on the mound now. Managers would have been more accountable without MLB forcing this new “lose the loogy” rule upon the game. The thing that bothers me most about the new rule is that sometimes a relief pitcher just doesn’t have his stuff or command on any given day but now has to stay in the game for 3 batters regardless, short of an injury which are sure to be faked on occasion down the road.
How often do games really go beyond 11 innings? I’m against a free runner at any point, but if they’re going to do it, I don’t want it to start until at least the 12th inning.
Lame. Lame. Lame.
Managers will now just bunt the runner over (bunting is boring to the fans). Or the defensive manager is going to have the first guy IBB to set up a double play. I will never understand the hatred for extra inning games. Most only last a few innings and the ones that last a lot of innings are very exciting. Every single play matters that much more.
My thought is that if you have no runners on and 2 outs with a speedster up, you may have him hack away at air just so he can start at 2nd the next inning. But you’re right, then the bunt comes the next inning, then the sac fly. It’s just slightly better than having a FG-kicking contest in football
That’s a great point. What if you’re the home team with Billy Hamilton up with two outs and no one on base? Chances of you scoring in that situation are pretty slim. But like you said, he intentially gets out, in your next at bat you have him starting on 2nd with no outs. Even with having to pitch the top half of the inning you probably have a better chance of winning than with Hamilton batting with two outs and no one on.
Teams will most definitely find out ways like this to take advantage of the rule.
RIDDICULOUS!
Bro I’d rather just see ties tbh.
I absolutely HATE this rule. It is an abomination.
Putting a runner in scoring position just to end the game quicker is THE dumbest idea in the history of baseball.
The most fundamental principle of the game is that a run is scored when a player starts at home, advances around the bases and returns to home.
I would rather call it a tie.
Why not just start every inning with a runner on second? Or better yet why not just have a bunting contest during extras, one run for every successful bunt either that or you could have one hand of war on the pitchers mound?
I just watched the MLB network end to the 2011 season. Could you imagine how this would have changed if we just arbitrarily put a runner on second during extras? And before you say yes but they would
Have surely played under normal rules, it was not the playoffs, it was the last day of the season so runner on second and sacrifice bunt would have been in order. MANFRED MUST GO
No. Too easy to get a runner in from second with nobody out.
If we have to start with a runner on base, put him on first.
How about pitchers pitch underhanded starting in the 11th inning if no one scores in the 10th? I actually like the rule, but just for this year. As long as it’s the same for everyone and both teams get a chance, why not?
Let’s set the stage now for “It’s not a real championship” for those fans of the losing teams this year. Especially if the Met’s win and it’s Yankee fans complaining.
I would rather see ties ala world football. It puts another variable into a game that is increasingly homogenized.
Fans who think the DH should be mandatory in baseball will eventually weaken and come around on this extra inning idea. Eventually.
All these ideas and changes to the game meant to speed up and shorten games yet preserve the offense is only making matters worse. Average game length increased in 2019 despite all the previous changes. Why? Because baseball refuses to make any change that will disrupt the offensive explosion.
I think it would be more interesting to throw the lineup out the window for extras. Bat whoever you want. No pinch running to allow them to bat again or anything, but they can bat again if they got out. Let the angels make you get Mike Trout out 3 times in a row. That would help MLB’s problem with not having many “household name” superstars right now too… if these guys are being thrust into a major limelight role every time a game goes to extras, even casual viewers can’t help but remember and talk about them
How about just leaving the game alone…stupid new rules will lose fans more than gain them.
I dislike it but I understand why they are doing it with the way rosters work this year. I’d much prefer play 10 innings and if the game is tied it is just a tie though. If you can’t win a game after playing an extra 20% of a game then neither team was better that day. Don’t wreck bullpens and put the extra wear and tear on the catcher to go some absurd 18 innings.
Would like to see 10th inning remain the same then 11th on go to runner on second.
The worst part of starting a runner off on 2nd base in the 10th inning is that it doesn’t end the game.
Both teams can each score 1 run and then we do the same over and over until one team doesnt score one unearned run.
How boring.
Just let the game end in a tie after 9 innings, during the regular season, and have a non counting strictly entertaining Home Run Derby after the tie as a way of entertaining the fans.
My goodness, if we can have fireworks after a game why not that.
And what’s the point of seeing the game go into the 15th inning and see the RF pitch?
How does anyone think that’s appealing?
I know, it’s because that’s the way we always did it.
The reason some (most, maybe) of us love the occasional 15 inning game is because baseball has always been built on the foundation that they play until we determine who the best team is on that particular day. That’s the magic. There’s tension, and drama.
You bring up watching a RF pitch in the 15th, asking who wants to see that? What you fail to take into account though is the build to it. For me, it’s listening to the booth talk about how the manager has used up all of his RP in the 14th; and how the manager has to decide between using a SP, which will alter his rotation, or the RF, in your scenario. It’s not so much the act of watching the position player pitch, even though that, too, can be exciting when they surprise you by notching a K, or an effective inning.
You mentioned fireworks after the game as a way to support holding a HR derby to decide a winner after 9. Now I admit, I don’t understand how it correlates. We don’t decide anything in the standings based off of fireworks. So why should they then decide a winner based on who can put a ball over a wall on a pitch that was thrown over home plate as straight as an arrow? Yes, HR derbys are exciting; but it’s a gimmick, which in no way proves who the better team is that day. At least when they do the shootouts in hockey the opposing goalie is actually trying to stop the shot.
It’s more complex than saying this is the way we’ve always done it, because there are reasons many of us enjoy the way we’ve always done it. It’s not just a pure opposition to change.
Not only determining the best team that day but the best strategy over the course of a series. Managers have always needed to keep an eye on how to manage their rotations and bullpens to win not just this game but the most they can over 162. Why do we need to nerf this element of the game?
Who said anything about fireworks or a HR Derby being used for a win?
Read what I said.
I said LET THE GAME END AS A TIE AFTER 9 INNINGS.
The fireworks and HR Derby are just entertainment in EXCHANGE for paying to see a tie. Sort of a consolation prize.
Even if you are a purist you have to see the danger in hurting a pitcher’s arm, the exhaustion on the part of the players both playing and then traveling late to the next city not to mention most fans have left to go to work the next day.
If you’re such a purist than the only idea that makes sense is to expand the rosters to compensate for such an event with the proviso that those expanded roster players can only be used in extra innings. But I dont think the owners go for paying people to just do that nor is it good for the player.
So ending it after 9 in a tie is the way to go and save us from watching the joke of a position player pitch. What could be less entertaining than that after you stay up until 2 AM?
LOL
I wish there was a button that would be in neutral on it. I mean it’s not too egregious but I’d prefer they use the old format
That’s what I wanted to vote as well. Has some pros, don’t have to see players over swinging inning after inning now, but I see it just as likely each team scores 1 run each half inning going on 2 or 3 innings till someone messes up the bunt and fly ball.
DH or no DH? Debatable.
Minimum at-bats for pitcher? Arguable.
Runner placed at second in extra innings? Asinine contrivance! 100000000 thumbs down.
How about a rapid paced wiffle ball league for people that want baseball as it was played in their backyards –
– Ghost runners
– Pitchers hand
– 5 on 5 with no catcher, first baseman, 2nd baseman or right fielder
– No walks, hit batsman or dropped 3rd strikes
– If you hit the ball over the fence you have to go get it
Or… we could have baseball players play baseball to determine the winner of a baseball game.
My favorite game I ever watched was a Yankees-Blue Jay’s game I happened to turn on in the 8th inning in my hotel room. It ended in the 17th so I got to watch 9 innings of riveting gameplay – every pitch, every ball in play, had so much importance to the outcome of the game.
Extra innings baseball is, to my mind, basically a BETTER version of the game, not less, and its killing me to see it go away.
In light of the changes in the approach to pitching and concern over the length of games I’d prefer we got to extra inning rules faster, not eliminate them. Make a game 7 innings long and keep extras. Maybe baseball would even start to look like it did 30 years ago with a greater temptation to push a starter to 7 on the hill.
Meh, let’s see how it goes. For every extra inning classic there is a 16 inning affair with every other player striking out because they are over swinging looking to end the game. More content is not a bonus if it’s boring as hell.
This new rule affects the Yankees. They have zero team speed, very few hitters on the team can bunt and lots of players who strike out too much instead of putting the ball in play. Tyler Wade will almost have to make the roster as a pinch runner.
Why cant a regular season game end in a tie?
Save the poor pitcher’s arms.
Stop screwing up the sponsors and TV stations.
Let the fans get some sleep.
Let the players get some rest and save late arrivals to the next town they play in.
And please spare us watching a position player pitch. Even in the NFL and the NHL you can have ties.
This is LONG OVERDUE in baseball.
Not sure why people feel this rule is there to impact the majority of games, shorten overall game play or to give an advantage to one team or another. It’s for preventing the extra inning games which go to 14 or 15+ innings when no fans are left at the game or watching from home. It’s especially for 2020 where the team’s entire available pitching staff would be exhausted in a condensed season.
Extra inning playoff games are special because the series may only be 1-4 games long to end the season. The extra excitement and tension is totally compelling, but honestly, most people are even tired of watching a playoff game going more than 12 innings. Extra inning regular season games are a total pain and the vast majority of people hate them.
For regular season, the NFL and NHL don’t do infinite game time and the NBA has never had an overtime game go more than 3 1/2hrs, ever.
It’s not for any of those things. It’s a gimmick. Wanna prevent games from going past 15 innings? End it in a tie. Anything else is a gimmick for motives other than the stated purpose of preventing marathon games. And this stupid rule doesn’t even prevent extra innings it just makes them dumber and somewhat less likely to happen. You know what would end the game for sure before the 15th? Allowing for ties.
“Dislike” is about the nicest thing I have to say on the topic.