How to fix baseball...

Jack Handy jr

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I think its fine the way it is. but after listning to sports talk radio on my way to work I noticed that the were going to decrease trips to the mound this year.

easy ways I think baseball could be sped up and made funner

1.inter league games are 7 innings as a trial to see if fans like 2 innings getting cut if it works extend it to the rest of the regular season games.

2.celebrations. when a guy jacks one out. let him scream, play air guitar (or drums) pelvic thrusts whatever. basically whoop it up.

Same thing applies for pitchers if they strike a batter out in emphatic fashion. let them fist pump do the cut throat gesture, and shoot imaginary guns at the struck out batter as he walks back to his dugout.

thoughts?
 
I'm conflicted on the 7 inning idea. I think it would help a ton to speed the game up and keep people from losing interest. But on the other hand, the entire history of the game is based on 9 innings. I don't like changes that change the basic integrity of the game. It sounds like the changes this year are only a small step. A pitch clock is coming, but the commissioner explained that relations with the players union is poor this year so they didn't want to rock the boat too much at one time. Seems reasonable.
I also think they need to look at the ball. Player after player keeps commenting that the balls are obviously different than they used to be. If they could find someway to get base hits to be more common like they used to be, that would be huge.
 
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They need to have a pitch clock and limit batter time outs. Automated ball/strike systems would bring some integrity back to the game.
 
I had to edit my post, I said a limit to mound visits is coming but obviously that's what they already changed the other day. What I meant to say was a pitch clock is coming.
 
If they want to speed it up, there are a few ways to do it that nobody would miss.

Batter time outs. Fuck you, you're in the box. Play is live. No more time outs because you can't concentrate. One of dumbest rules in any sport.

Mound visits. No, the pitching coach should not need to personally come out and boost your confidence like you're in little league, because you can't find the strike zone.


But fuck all that simplicity. Let's put a guy on 2nd base every extra inning. Let's not force the pitcher to throw 4 pitches for a walk. How about a home run derby to settle games that go past the tenth inning?

I've never seen a league so desperate to quicken the pace of the game, but have been so stubborn about changing some very basic bullshit that would do it, but instead, would rather change the entire game.
 
Bring back chewing tobacco.
 
Leave the game when you want or turn the tv off when you want if it is taking too long or you are bored.
 
Fix it? Really baseball is a lot like that phrase "Those who don't know can't understand it, those who understand it can't explain it". It's a very "social game". Have someone pass on their love of the game to the kids and spend time with them, baseball is based around the live atmosphere more than any other sport besides college football. Being there, enjoying the spring/summer days outside, watching the game and talking with those around you. That's how I found my love for it, and my friends who love baseball share similar history with the game. For me, it started when my dad took me to an Indians game with the Cub Scouts, as we marched along the field before the game Joe Carter gave me a baseball. From there I began tee ball and we started going to games some what regularly. Then I have an aunt, who taught me how to fill in a scorecard while watching games, we would go to baseball games together and still do. Both sides of my family would have times during the year when we would have "reunions" and would meet up with 10-15 of us going to a game. Hell, my moms parents would always have baseball on their tv. Cubs on TBS in the afternoon and Indians on Channel 43 in the evenings. They even kept a framed personalized autographed Jim Thome picture in their dining room. Then you have the appeal of every stadium having aspects and personality that are unique to them. Lastly there's nothing like a walk-off hit, especially a HR or a strikeout to end the end the game when it is all on the line. I apologize I feel like I'm rambling now, but you get the jist of what I'm saying.
 
I like 2 of Bill James' suggestions. First is to limit pick off throws to 2 unsuccessful attempts per inning. After that, you can still attempt, but if you're unsuccessful, it's a balk. Second is you can't change pitchers more than once per inning, unless the pitcher on the mound has already given up a run. No extra clocks or any shit like that. You won't even notice them unless a balk has to be issued. Worst side effects are more offense and more stolen bases, which are fun to watch.
 
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There is nothing wrong with baseball. However I would agree that talking a little shit when you "jack one out" would make the game more fun. Let the players show more emotion without getting a ball thrown at their head
 
I like the idea of naming any 3 batters you like for the last inning
A losing team can automatically put up their 3 best hitters in the 9th inning regardless of where they are in the lineup and try to get a thrilling last chance rally goung
That'll put butts in seats
 
I have a couple simple ideas.

Either drop the roster spots down by a few or make it to where there are only so many relievers allowed on the roster.

That way the manager won't be able to play the "Lefty/Righty specialist" game in the late innings. If you want to change pitchers, you better make damn sure that it's worth it because there aren't going to be many left for you. It'll add to the manager's strategy at the end of games because they'll have to manage their rosters even more closely to make sure they have enough players in case there's extra innings as well as for the next game if their relievers need a day off.
 
I love baseball and frankly its just fine the way it is.
 
I am not. Baseball fan so little changes won’t matter to me.

What is the penalty if a pitcher does not pitch within the time limit going to be? The guy at bat gets a ball call?

The issue seems to be to get younger people to watch the game for advertisers. Or the game will age out. How do you get more younger people to watch when there is competition from Netflix to online porn to x games stuff to ufc. Will shorter games do it? Seems unlikely that is the main solution.
 
You are already allowed to celebrate, just expect the next batter to get beaned
 
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