(Can ya bullet-point those rule changes for me?)
That fine Brit Donovan Leitch in the 1960s sang a song that got lots of airplay called Rules and Regulations, with these being the lyrics:
Is it a boy or is it a girl?
Takes all kinds to make our world go round
The army life ought to be a stipulation
A-that's the proper education
Twenty-five years probation
And give 'em a double 'elping of
The rules and regulations (sing it up boys!)
Rules and regulations
The rules and regulations
Now, live your own life, I'll tell you for why
You're gonna be around when they all die off
The future life ought to be a weight off your shoulders
You'll feel a little bit bolder
And in the photograph folder
A-there will be faded pictures of
The rules and regulations
Rules and regulations
Rules and regulations
WHAT DOES THE ABOVE DITTY HAVE TO DO WITH BASEBALL?
"Rules and Regs" in baseball, and in life, are always there, and some genius is always tinkering with them. We are left to react to, expound upon, or simply ignore them. Depending on the R&R, ignoring them can have consequences, which may be beneficial or adverse. In some cases, such as the following, ignore the rules and adverse consequences are yours.
WHAT ARE THE NEW MLB RULES FOR 2023?
1. Pitch clock:
In an effort to increase the pace of play, there will be a 30-second clock implemented between batters.
Between pitches, a 15-second timer will be turned on when the bases are empty and a 20-second timer will be used when runners are on base.
2. Defensive shift limits:
The team on defense must have at least four players on the infield, with at least two infielders completely on either side of second base.
3. Bigger bases:
The bases will increase from 15 inches square to 18 inches square. Home plate will remain the same.
Staying on the subject of Donovan, the Cardinals had a fine super-utility rookie in 2022, named Brandon Donovan, who had 4.1 WAR and slashed a dandy 281/.394/.379 in 126 games. Drafted in the 7th round, his unwritten self-regulations for success were similar to Jeff McNeil’s: make a lot of contact and get on base. The unwritten formula all-too-many minor leaguers don’t seem to get.
Not figuring out those unwritten regulation for your own self-success can lead to ultimate failure, and why fail when you should win bigly?
Anyway, I like those 3 new rules. The first speeds up the games (good), the lack of shift (advocated for by this writer for years) will help batting averages and career longevity for the likes of lefty pull hitters like former MLB star Jay Bruce, which is good. Jay pulled too many hard ground outs into the devouring shift. Some said he should use all fields, but he was a lefty pull hitter, why should he HAVE to change that? Restrict the ability for defenses to be shifty. I dunno, I don’t like shifty people, even if some politicians, for instance, shamelessly embrace the shift.
Thirdly, the bigger bases ought to result in less foot, leg, and concussion injuries, and ricochet hits off bases will slightly increase. I like more hits, and this rule, too. Bryce Montes de Oca wishes they expanded home plate, too, but alas, the dish size remains the same. You can still fit a lot of food on a dish that size, and I like that personally. Eating food is one of my favorite rules in life.
Anyway, have a Donovan Leitch kind of day, will ya?
Make today your best today ever, there will never be another one like it.
And try not to be shifty. Much better to be nifty, uplifty, or fifty.
Blessings to all.
MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE ORANGE GROVES, THE SPRING TRAINING CONVEYOR BELT GRINDS ON INEXORABLY, AND THE SEASON WILL BE SOON UPON US.
THE BEST PLAYERS WILL WIN, REGARDLESS OF RULES TWEAKS.
VIENTOS WATCH:
Marky Mark has the 3rd most at bats of anyone in baseball (52; leader is at 57), and is tied for most Ks (21). His .288/.321/.500? You’d take that from him in 2023 in a heartbeat. Oh, and for all of the moaning about his defense, despite lots of on-the-field playing time, his total errors rhyme with the word HERO. Ray is sending him some gold gloves.
He certainly has been given great opportunities to play. Compare to the traded Jake Mangum, who has 10 ABs for the Marlins. They like you a lot, they play you a lot.
23 comments:
USA - Japan in WBC Final. Future Met Shohei Ohtani will be leading Japan. He needs to protect his patella tendons.
Pete and Jeff are a combined 3 for 23 in the WBC. YUK. Meanwhile, Trea Turner 4 HRs in 19 ABs.
Is it OK if my new nickname for Diaz is Eddie Patella?
Dom Smith .229 and a HR in 35 ABs. Kelenic .410 in 39 ABs, and no patella tendon issues. Conforto .257 with 4 HR in 36 AB. The future star catcher the Mets traded, Endy Rodriguez, is 7 for 17 for the Pirates.
Donovan Leitch’s shelf life seems to have expired.
I read last night that they may alter some of the new rules before the season starts
We await that devision... for 30 seconds
I don't think I ever knew his last name. He usually just went by Donovan, unless I'm thinking of a different guy.
The tune "Mellow Yellow" still runs through my skull at times. Thanks for the memory.
*decision
Still alive at 76
Vientos,so may Ks and where’s the power?
I used to be 76. 😁
Remember's fearless prognostication: The rule(s) that will hurt the Mets the worst this year are the bigger bases and the limit to the number of throws to hold runners on. I see the teams that can exploit the running game coming out ahead at year-end. I don't see the Mets as one of those teams - either stealing a lot of bases or being able to prevent the other teams from doing so.
And I thought Mangum would make the Mets as OF #4. Can't even make the Marlins. Boy was I wrong.
Mangum is a 4A player. Most of them hang around a few years.
Vientos has a .500 slug %. There is in point of fact the power. And….He is still climbing his career ladder.
Remember….this few inches on the bag will greatly change quite a few games.
Ray, we were both wrong on Mangum. Seemed an ideal 5th OF to me.
That's why I want him playing every day, which he can't do this year in Queens if everyone stays healthy.
Yep, Bill, that’s the Donovan. I one rewrote Mellow Yellow for church, into “I am a holy fellow, righteously”
He is 76 and still a leach, err, I mean Leitch.
Right now, Locastro is by far better for the role. I'd keep him over Pham.
A Few Quick Takes.
I never got too excited about the WBC, ever. Maybe it is me, not sure here. But what really does it mean to the average U.S. MLB baseball fan? I find it a little bit ridiculous to send a MLB team's best and most needed players to it. Then again here too, I don't watch the Olympics anymore either and have not as yet missed it. So this may be strictly just me speaking and no one else.
So what would my suggestion be since it does mean so much to players from each country represented in the WBC?
Send only players 20 years of age and younger from each country involved in it. Seems to make some sense to me. If a player gets seriously hurt at the WBC, no one MLB team is "paralyzed" by the injury like the Mets were this WBC with Edwin Diaz.
Let me know if anyone here agrees? Thank you.
I never get too excited about ST. You can’t put too much stock in the stats,good or bad. Likewise the WL record means nothing. You just hope nobody gets hurt.
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