Rule Changes That Could Enhance The Game

by Nico on Jan 23, 2007 8:24 AM PST in News Comment 20 comments

Sometimes, just a few small-but-important modifications can go a long way. So in the spirit of being progressive, and innovative, I want to propose some minor baseball rule changes, just little tweak-y things that could enhance an already great game. I'd like to invite you to add a few ideas of your own but first, to get the conversation started, here are some of mine:

I feel the balk needs to carry a stricter penalty. Thousands of children are watching baseball games, and they should not be given the message that it is acceptable to intentionally deceive another person. When a pitcher commits a balk, the game should be halted and the pitcher should have a quick jury trial--just brief arguments from each attorney and at most one witness, so that the game can continue without too much delay--with possible sentences ranging from Community Service (for minor infractions) to broadcasting one game along side Tim McCarver (for especially grievous violations). And of course, all runners advance a base.
There should be a Security Inspection Checkpoint between second and third base, at which runners simply need to show a valid ID, and then slide across the X-Ray conveyor belt without their shoes, before they can proceed on to third. If you look at all the attacks on American soil throughout history, only one more has occurred in the air than has occurred on the left side of the infield--and the small sample size makes even this difference statistically insignificant. Simply put, the area between second and third is a disaster waiting to happen, so let's be proactive. Did Shoeless Joe Jackson's value just go up? When you're on second base, given all you still need to do on a base-hit to left-center field, are you really in scoring position? These become more complex and interesting questions, no?
The "broken-bat" rule is one I have been lobbying for, literally for years. (And when I say "lobbying for, literally for years," I mean I may have mentioned it once.) It is the hitter's responsibility to arrive in the batter's box with suitable equipment. If a hitter breaks his bat in the middle of an AB, he should be required to bat with whatever is left in his hand. It's fair, it's logical, and it's funny. How often is something fair, logical, and funny all at the same time? However, in the event this rule is ever adopted by Major League Baseball, I think the A's really need to try to trade Milton Bradley before the rule goes into effect.

Anyway, I have some other ideas ready, involving land mines, player-umpires, and edible bases, but right now it's your turn. And please, let's keep it serious.

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George Carlin rule:

Let the batter carry and use the bat as he rounds the bases.

"...sometimes I can't tell the difference between baseball and magic."- salb918 "Ellie plowed into him like an evil, pink unicorn."-ArakSOT

by McFood on Jan 23, 2007 8:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

On a slightly serious note

I think that anytime a bat breaks and part of it enters fair territory, the batter should immediately be called out. Fielders shouldn't have to choose between fielding a ball and dodging shrapnel.

Aside from that, I like all these rule changes, although being sentenced to broadcast a game with McCarver would probably be struck down as "Cruel and Unusual".

Also, Lord help us if Curt Schilling decides to act as his own attorney after balking.

Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark?

by JLeverenz on Jan 23, 2007 8:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

No stepping out of the batters box

after every pitch. You must either change equipment or have swung at the previous pitch to step out

Hi, I am closetasfan, and I am a NRAF, and an ANA

by closetasfan on Jan 23, 2007 10:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lobbying for years?

I assumed you meant hanging around the lobby for years, trying to catch the eye of the fair-haired pony du jour.

"If your athame is a spork, you might be a Discordian."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jan 23, 2007 10:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Are you suggesting that's

my mane objective?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 23, 2007 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you whinny some, you losey some

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is disgraceful

by ArakSOT on Jan 23, 2007 11:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I got a bunch of them.

All of these are serious.

1) Limit pickoff throws to a base.

No more than 3 per batter. Imagine the level of strategy this would add in a tight game, especially if the base runner looks ready to go after the third one doesn't get him. If you go a fourth time, he's either out or gets awarded second base.

2) Every pitcher must complete a plate appearance.

Enough with this micro-managed 30-minute 8th inning nonsense. You bring in a lefty to get a guy, the other guy changes the hitter, HE'S GOT TO STAY IN. Even if it's to issue an intentional walk.

In one stroke, we encourage offense, discourages nearly useless situational pitchers, eliminates a ton of pitchers that everyone hates from the bigs, and make Tony LaRussa cries for weeks. Everybody wins!

3) The hitter can refuse an intentional walk.

After four pitches are thrown, the hitter's team has the option of taking first base or remaining at the plate. The hitter does not signify his intention until the completion of the four pitches.

If the hitter does continue the at bat, and the pitcher issues four more balls, the hitter takes second base, and all runners move up two bases.

Again, late-inning strategy is heightened, and the knee-jerk decision for the defensive team is elimninated.

4) No more dugout-to-booth career moves.

No one is allowed to provide color commentary on a baseball game until he or she has earned a 2-year degree in an accredited broadcast journalism school, and served for five years doing broadcasts in the minor leagues.

Enough with the jock meritocracy. It's time to improve the level of discourse. If you are serious about getting this job, earn it for more than your name. The athletes have to earn their way to the bigs, so should the broadcasters.

5) No free food for the media. Make the press buy it the same way everyone else does. See what happens to the coverage of things like how wonderful new stadiums are.

Have you visited http://fivetooltool.blogspot.com yet? Well, why the hell not?

by DMtShooter on Jan 23, 2007 11:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't like the intentional walk idea

There is no penalty for the hitter if he chooses to stay in the batters box. As a matter of fact, there is absolutely no downside for the hitter to stay and take another 4 pitches. There needs to be some balance.

Option 1:
If the batter stays at the plate after an attempted intentional walk, it only takes 2 strikes to get him out.

Option 2:
If the batter stays at the plate after an attempted intentional walk, he only gets 6 pitches before being called out. If he cannot manage a hit, BB or HBP by the sixth pitch it is an automatic out. Foul tip on the 6th pitch? Out. A pitch thrown over everyone's head and to the backstop? Out.

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 23, 2007 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

Of course there is a penalty for the hitter. He could make an out, rather than be safe on first base. And then the press and fans will ride him, and his manager, for giving up the sure base.

Realistically, there will be very few cases where the hitter will refuse the walk, because it would be showing up the on-deck hitter. But the point is to inject a strategic decision into what is now an auto-pilot one. Kind of like going for 2 in football on the extra point.

Have you visited http://fivetooltool.blogspot.com yet? Well, why the hell not?

by DMtShooter on Jan 23, 2007 12:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wait a sec...

So the pitcher wants nothing to do with the batter and issues 4 straight balls. Then, because the batter doesn't want to take the base, the pitcher is suddenly going to feel like challenging a guy he wanted nothing to do with?

That makes no sense.

Besides, enacting this idea would just lead to the end of the IBB. Instead we'd see nothing but "unintentional" intentional walks.

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 23, 2007 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So be it.

At least on an unintentional walk, the hitter can chase something, and the ball can go to the backstop, moving up the runners. You could also make it the umpire's discretion as to whether the walk was intentional or not. Has to be a within a foot of the plate. (You might also see more hit batsmen, which would be a nice defensive check to the added offense. With the armor people wear now, the fear of getting hit is greatly reduced.)

As to whether or not the pitcher feels like challenging a guy... that's not the point. Intentional walks are usually ordered by the manager. So we're increasing the strategy.

And if the pitcher doesn't want to pitch to the hitter... may I suggest another career, one that involves less stress? The point of the game is not to reward the defense for avoiding the hitter.

Finally, and most crassly, people pay to see the best hitters hit. A lot of money, actually. It would be popular with the crowd in the seats.

Have you visited http://fivetooltool.blogspot.com yet? Well, why the hell not?

by DMtShooter on Jan 23, 2007 1:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're only increasing the strategy

for one the one side. What's wrong with balance?

This guy is dead! We'll list him as day-to-day for possible reincarnation.

A's Medical Staff, 2006

by grover on Jan 23, 2007 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No, I'm giving a counter to a one-sided strategy.

Right now, the IBB is issued. It can't be refused, it can't be avoided. It is strategic for one side only.

With the change, the offense has a choice as well -- take the base or roll the dice.

It's an academic argument that I'm happy to drop, since it doesn't seem like I'm going to change your mind with this. (Besides, when was the last significant MLB rule change -- 1973?)

But I believe that if baseball was invented today -- and not in an era where the home run was a near-impossibility -- the offense would have this option. And it might again, especially with offense always being good for the gate, tickets costing so much, and people wanting to see the best hitters hit.

Have you visited http://fivetooltool.blogspot.com yet? Well, why the hell not?

by DMtShooter on Jan 23, 2007 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Howsabout the batter may leave...

...the box to swing at intentional walk-type pitches? As long as he doesn't enter the infield approaching the mound. Think Vlad.

Half-serious.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jan 23, 2007 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think #2 is a rule

Pitcher must face one batter minimum

Hi, I am closetasfan, and I am a NRAF, and an ANA

by closetasfan on Jan 23, 2007 1:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fans required to throw-back visitors' HRs

It's a great tradition elsewhere--why do we have that stoopid fan ejection rule? Is it because of the cell-phone beaning?

Anyway, if I ever get such a ball, I plan to civilly disobede, and you should, too.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jan 23, 2007 12:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kirk Saarloos traded

For an AA Cincy reliever with good stats. I hate this trade, even if this guy is good. Relievers, if you know where to look, can always be found amongst failed MLB starters, like Kennedy, Duchsherer, Gaudin, Halsey etc etc etc.

The only thing the A's do is save his salary.

by richwol on Jan 23, 2007 12:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

re: Rule Changes

I make a rule that states that any ball hit into the stands on a fly is a fair ball and is in play when the home team is in the field. It would make catching a foul ball in the stands or a home run into the bleachers all that more important. Just think, when Vladimir Guerrero takes Harden deep into the left field seats and some 12 year old who brought his glove to the game makes the catch and Vlady is out! If you don't catch the ball, you better it throw it back on the field right away. Fans could be charged with errors, putouts and assists. There could even be new defensive metrics for fans. Oh, don't foul off a ball down the right field line in Oakland, those fans have some of the best arms in the game!
vr, Xei

by xeifrank on Jan 23, 2007 1:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

re: Rule Changes

As a season ticket holder in the HR territory of section 101, I especially like this one, Xei. The A's would sell tons of gloves and fairweather fans would be engaged enough to even think of starting the "wave", so everyone wins! With all the technology they'll be adding to Cisco Field it should be easy enough to track fan stats and give out fan Gold Glove awards at the end of each season.

I would, however, modify this rule slightly for the teams that have a "natural" or historical rivalry with another team. The away team's fans should get credit for their defensive work when attending away games. So, A's fans that attend games at Pac-Cing-AT-SBC Park, Red Sox fans going to see games in the Bronx, etc. should be awarded for being brave enough to venture into enemy territory to see a game.

--
Aaron
Mean In Green: The Oakland Athletics Podcast
"What you DIDN'T hear on SportsCenter!"

by wannabelikekotsay on Jan 23, 2007 6:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Divisions won my Score ratio

I think Games won/lost should be eliminated and the ratio of points score for/against should be used to detirmine the division titles and wild cards. Imagine a game that is 10 - 1. There would be major incentive to just run that score up as high as you possibly could. Imagine a score of 23-0 and people still hit and running and stealing bases. That would be awsome.

Stupidity should be painful!
http://all-about-sportsblogs.com

by ByondF1 on Jan 24, 2007 9:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs