SAVAGE VIEWS – The Changing Game

 SAVAGE VIEWS – The Changing Game

I’ll admit to being an old school baseball maven.  The game I loved has changed a lot and not necessarily for the better.  

For starters, I opposed the adoption of the Designated Hitter instead of letting pitchers bat for themselves.  I remember watching great pitchers like Don Newcombe, Tony Cloninger, Bob Gibson and even Jacob deGrom handle themselves well as batters.  Before the DH, managers were forced to be more strategic.

The free runner allowed in extra innings is a travesty.  It’s a cheap way to speed up the game.  What I fail to understand is why the first batter faced in extra innings is not automatically walked. That move would set up a force or potentially a double play.  No one seems to be doing this.

How about catcher’s interference. We’ve seen a batter swing late and make contact with a catcher in a normal position.  It should be ruled hitter’s interference and the batter automatically out unless the catcher has reached out for the ball.  Also, any batter whose lusty swing hits a catcher should be called out.

When did it become necessary to remove a pitcher approaching 100 pitches.  I realize the game has changed but there are some guys who can easily exceed 120 pitches while others are exhausted after 80 pitches.  Pitchers are coddled more than ever and too many are suffering from injuries. 

The number of players being hit by pitches is at an all time high.  No effort is being made to get out of the way.  In fact, some players have perfected the art of leaning into a pitch.

Starting in 2024 a number of changes have been implemented, further changing the face of baseball

This year no infielder may block a potential base stealer.  If an infielder gets in the way of a stolen base, the runner will be deemed safe. 

Also this year, ball players are wearing form fitting, transparent uniforms.  This sartorial change, while appealing to female fans, demonstrates that players have nothing to hide.

Of course, catchers are forbidden to block the plate.  Doing so can cause injury to the runner or the catcher.  It’s mandatory to allow the runner to score unless the ball arrives well ahead of the runner.

I predict that Keith Olbermann will be the next Commissioner of Baseball and will enact more changes, like these:

·       A player who intends to steal a base must declare their intentions prior to the game by signing an affidavit. And the infielder will only be allowed to tag the runner below the waist.

·       To ensure equity, all 13 batters must have at least one plate appearance each game.  No player can have more than two.

·       New Director of Umpiring Services has decreed that any player or manager who disputes a call, whether via a heavy stare, bat tossing or bad language, shall be required to undergo Anger-Management classes.

·       In the case of a game tied after 9 innings, each team shall be awarded ½ a win.  Extra innings only serve to increase the disparity among teams.  Let’s recognize each team for a game well played.

Now that the playing field has been made more equitable, let’s play ball, but not too hard.

Ray

April 16, 2024