We didn't say "no netting anywhere in the ballpark." Obviously it's a must behind the plate and
for some distance up the baselines.
We said "no netting all around the ballpark" -- granted, we should've worded that "no netting
beyond the infield," where it's a needless distraction and every bit as headache-inducing as Ben suggested.

Frank, when you recommended the elimination of "concrete donuts," did you mean stale confections
or 1970s stadia?

Yeah, something like that :)

My point was that netting is not the visual distraction its detractors claim. People sit behind home plate all the time with no issues. I'll take you at your word that you find netting headache-inducing but know that you're in a really, really, really small minority that have that reaction.

And you just said nothing beyond the infield, meaning you'd be amenable to have all the way to the end of the infield - a significant increase over what we currently have. I'd take that as a first step.

Was at a game tonight and watched a guy foul a rocket into the stands. It hit an empty seat but there would have been just about zero chance for a fan to move out of the way had somebody been sitting in that particular seat. It's nonsense to think that a fan getting hit by a foul ball is 100% the fan's fault 100% of the time. So put up a net. People will get used to it in no time.

I understand the whole "prime time" thing for advertising dollars during the Playoffs/WS and including the prime time on both coasts, but for goodness sake, and the future of the game's fan base, at least play the weekend games during the afternoon/early evening when young kids can watch them and gain an appreciation as they grow up.

In all honesty, when the games don't start until 8-8:30 east coast time, it's even too late for me when I have to go to work the next morning.

Amen! And for commercials set for 11pm EST and later, the ratings may be higher but 1/2 of us on the east coast are sleeping.

Ok, I made it through all nine pages and no one brought this up. One of the things I think we all love in baseball is the cozy new stadiums. A big factor to long games could be due to the tiny foul territory in the new stadiums.

I grew up with the 1970s Oakland A's. They had starting pitchers who worked very fast (check out a Catfish Hunter or Vida Blue video some time...about 5 seconds between pitches), threw strikes, and won a lot of 2-1 and 3-1 games, and though my memory is foggy after all these years, games rarely went over 3 hours.

I think one of the big factors is that the foul territory at the O-co is HUGE. Just about any foul pop up is going to be an out.

One suggestion, empower an off-field umpire to make and correct calls via a phone/radio in the ear of the home plate umpire...let's get rid of the conference around the video monitor.

I only know one place in MLB where fans are closer to the batter than the pitcher.
And there, the net is a really good idea. Sadly I can't afford getting even close to those seats anymore plus they're pretty much all season ticket holders there now.
People were hit with line drives before extended netting, but it was usually not a major problem since they were paying attention and usually at least got an arm up. The ones not paying attention.....Lets just say it's bad luck.

1. Computer calls balls and strikes.

2. Teams play stratomatic in the event of extra innings.

3. If struck by ball, a player shall rub the bruise for at least 10 secs.

4. If can run around the bases in under 8 seconds on a home run you are awarded another run.

5. Bring back pitcher fake to third and look/throw to first.

6. After the first 3 outs in the top of the first inning, announcers will now say
"X team 0 (or more if they scored runs) and the other team '0' instead of coming up to hit..

A few ideas, none of which I expect to get any traction whatsoever :D

Keep the DH/AL no DH/NL it gives us something to talk about even when the teams are made up entirely of guys we have never heard of.

Go with a designated runner who can be used once a game with no penalty.(The player runs, returns to the bench and the original player stays in the lineup and the designated runner is still available as a sub) The catch is that the opposing team gets to choose which player becomes the runner.

Put Herb Washington into the HOF as a pioneer. :)

Get rid of the participation medal all star game. If your team doesn't have anyone good enough they need a better farm system or better coaches or better front office, or all of the above.

Eliminate the hitters backdrop. sell the seats, or if the players MUST have music to get out and play, a bandstand with a live band. If the wall is more than 420 at the deepest the bandstand are must be there , and is IN PLAY.

Bring back stuff like the lederhosen wearing people who slid down into a beer mug if the Brewers hit a HR. Maybe make them mandatory? Tampa can use bikini girls (Or whoever, it's 2017 after all, but bikini girls would get my vote)

Bring back Promotions like bat night, ball night, nickel beer night.....especially if they're combined - I do love a promo gone awry, especially if it's a PR disaster.

No indoor ball. It's MLB, not whiffleball or something cooked up for gym class.

Do make new stadiums in coastal cities on a huge turntable. That way no matter the time of the game the field can be rotated to take advantage of the ocean breezes. Teams with weak pitching might opt for "wind always blowing in" ones with stronger hitters might go for "wind always blowing out" No penalty for teams caught rotating the place between innings.

Great topic! My response is based primarily on something I think COULD be implemented. The suggestions about fewer teams, no teams in Florida or Arizona will not likely happen due to contracts with stadiums, politics, etc.
Suggestions about fewer games has merit but will also likely not happen due to revenue streams.

Speeding the game up is paramount. We live in a fast paced, action packed world and baseball is none of that. Most people accept that because of the great game of baseball itself, but 3-4 hour games in difficult, even for hard core fans. Here are some suggestions to help speed the game up:

1. Batters should stay in the box and pitchers should stay on the mound. Penalties for failing to do that should be enforced.
2. No players should be able to visit with a pitcher on the mound. That is what a pitching coach is for.
3. Replay, while necessary, is adding alot of time to games, and particularly dead time. Have 1 challenge per game, period! Umpiring and bad calls are part of the game, and unless you have unlimited challenging, it just has to be lived with.

Other things I would change:
1. If rosters are not expanded, why not allow players to play the whole game? For example, why is a pinch hitter, pinch runner, etc out of the game? The bench used to be a big part of the game. Now, with as many as 13 pitchers, you only have 3 bench players and if one of those is your extra catcher, you really only have 2 moves you can make. Other sports allow players to leave the game and come back in again.
2. Eliminate inter-league games. Make the world series even more exciting.
3. The leagues should have the same rules. Either DH for both leagues or for neither league. I personally favor the DH as there is simply nothing exciting about watching most pitchers hit. The way constructed now, an American League team is penalized more when they are not allowed the DH in national league parks and national league teams are rewarded by getting an extra hitter that they were not used to having the entire year. In the event national league teams insist that their way is the better way and the DH is not eliminated, then let national league teams continue to bat their pitcher in american league parks if they wish. American league teams should not have to play up to 4 games in the most important series of the year DRASTICALLY different then they played the entire year up to that point.

I would offer that is due, in part, to pitchers never required to hit starting with what? High school? Should you eliminate the DH everywhere, then you might start seeing some level of excitement on par with watching some of these 2B and SS hitters. ;)

What do you have against managers having to actually manage a baseball game/roster?

When was the last time an AL manager had to make a double switch? Paul Molitor botched this against the dodgers the other day. When did an AL manager run out of bench players? I much prefer watching a weak hitting pitcher actually contribute on offense and all the strategic maneuvering required to work around this spot in the order than the AL version of the game where the offensive maneuvering is essentially non existent.

I understand that the DH has lengthened the careers of David Ortiz, Paul Molitor, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols and others. But I'd rather see Madison Baumgarner and Clayton Kershaw face off in the box and try to grind out runs/wins for their club.

Despagne got a hit against Scherzer driving in a big run for the marlins yesterday... though marlins still lost but at the time was cool

The only change I would make is implementing a salary cap of some sort. I wish every team had an equal opportunity to win.

Well, the question was "baseball" not "MLB", so I'm including non-MLB stadiums.

And, again, you're back to blaming fans who get hit. What about people who sneeze? What about people who have somebody stand up in front of them and block their view? Or have a kid who demands their attention? Is it REALLY realistic to demand 100% perfect attention to games for every single pitch of the game. Of course not. Is it REALLY reasonable to expect people who are in cramped seating to be able to somehow dodge an incoming missile traveling at 110 mph or more? of course not.

And, let's not pretend that this hasn't already been implemented, without issue, in other places. Japan has been doing pole-to-pole netting for 3 decades. Their ushers blow whistles and point to where balls are going.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyidtI-uNXw

I was ambivalent about the netting issue until I saw the cheerleaders. We have to protect the ladies even if it gives us headaches.:eek:

I can understand the wanting to end interleague play, but there are currently an odd number of teams in each league. Unless there is a team willing to change leagues, we would need another round of expansion.

Both leagues play by the same rules. Home Team always decides if DH will be used that day or not. This would increase strategy not reduce it, which is why the NL is against the DH . Decision based on who is pitching that day, who is healthy on both teams, make the opposing team decide if they want to play their normal "DH" in the field or not etc. etc. Compare DH options that day .Would it be an asset that day to give a player a day off in the field ? etc This would make the game the same in both leagues with the option always available based on several factors that day.

Eliminate the DH and increase the rosters to 26 players.
Limit the number of pitchers on the roster to 12.
Not sure about this one but have been thinking about it lately,, illegal defenses. Two men must be on each side of the infield.

I can get on board with limiting rosters to 12 (even 11) pitchers.

Illegal defenses, I'm not sure. Just teach guys to bunt. I mean, heck, I've seen plenty of instances where the defense put all four guys on the same side of the infield. And the hitters still swing away. Good grief. Drop a bunt, fer cryin' out loud.

You want to see the BEST baseball possible? Expand the rosters, then like football have an offensive and defensive team. Put your best 9 hitters in your lineup, and your best 9 fielders in the field. Best vs Best, gotta be exciting!!!!

Be interesting to see lineups that way, i dont think you would want 9 guys who can only hit homers, you need runners on base for them to knock in with those home runs. But it would be the end of the "good field no hit" player in the lineup, he would be in the field but would be replaced by a good hitter in the lineup. And no more bums in the field because they can hit, they would be replaced by great fielders. Sounds exciting to me!!!

Those are good points, Minor league parks can be really small.

I don't follow Japanese baseball, so I wouldn't know about the whistles. Oddly, that would probably make me get hit. I'd be wondering why the usher was blowing a whistle and pointing at me. I'm also puzzled, if the ball is coming that fast how is there time for the ushers to whistle and point, but not for the spectator to duck?

I don't think it's possible to keep every spectator 100% safe, and that the spectator must bear at least a little responsibility for their own safety.

Pole to pole netting I think might be a bit too much, but Fenway (The one MLB place I know of where it's possible to be closer to the batter than the pitcher) Did extend the nets to the dugouts last year. Not a bad idea, as those seats while a bit farter than the pitcher are very close.

I've seen a few hits/close calls, and even been in a couple.
Pawtucket, Saw a broken bat get into the stands roughly at the far end of the visiting dugout. I was on the home side. Clear view, and Pawtucket has a wall that's a bit shorter than the current net height at Fenway. Totally a freak thing. It actually bounced along a railing for about 15 feet. Not going all that fat, everyone ducked or got their arms up.

The one foul ball I "caught" ...Here in Lowell, at about 250 from home plate. Top of the stands on the far end there's a concession with usually no line. Bought drinks, dogs, pretzels, all in a tray. Turn away after paying, and the batter hits a long foul. Guy in front of me tries for it, clips it a bit it hits my stomach and falls in the tray. Didn't hurt a bit, although it was slightly embarrassing finally getting a ball after a few decades made up for it:)

Close call a week later, sitting in a nearly obstructed view seat in Fenway. Not behind the pole, but sort of next to it. Reserved grandstand, WAY back, but not behind the screen, maybe row 30 counting the box seats, maybe more. Yankee game, one of them hits a foul right back at us. I stand up to catch it and realize I'm again holding the drinks tray, with probably $40 worth of drinks and food. :( Had enough time to think that I didn't have a hand free, couldn't get free without dropping stuff, and that I wasn't sure if the ball would hit me or deflect into me off the post. Ducked at the last second and never figured out where the ball ended up. The guys behind us seemed fine, but they were Yankees fans, so I didn't ask.......:)

Steve B

Box Seats, Line Drives and Darkness
 

True Story

Where: Dodger Stadium in box seats closer to the hot dogs for sale than the hot dogs on the field.

Net Zero: Seats between third base and home but just beyond the home plate netting. The seats were far enough back to be covered by the deck above, which was actually pretty close in height, causing this area to be darker than the seats up by the field.

Then it happened, a foul tip line drive from light into relative darkness coming straight at me. There are situations where you don't stand a chance. I honestly knew it was coming but didn't see a thing.

The guy two seats to my right ducked. The lady two rows behind him didn't. The ball hit her hard right in the mouth. Attendants came quickly as she was spitting up blood and teeth. She needed attention, but resisted initially leaving her seat (and her teeth). A true blue Dodger fan indeed.

The likelihood of a lethal foul hitting that particular seat with the overhanging deck above is probably 1 in 50,000,000. Would an extension of the netting up the foul lines a bit prevented this? Yes, but the netting might be 500 years old before this were to happen again.

I agree that the fans have to share in the responsibility for what happens and no venue is going to be completely safe. Going to a game with 40,000 cell phones bugs the hell out of me, but a cell phone was not in play here.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people.

...and that story reminds of another way to improve the game:

ban cell-phones - nothing worse than seeing idiots with the best seats in the house continuing to be self-absorbed while you, the viewer at home, is trying to concentrate on the potentially great play right in front of them. They wave at the camera, thereby solidifying their temporary immortality - and really, really impressing whoever is on the receiving end of their all-important digital communication.

People on cell-phones should not be allowed behind any protective netting...let's see how brave they can be...

Every fan sitting behind the idiots that bring signs get 1 free swing with a baseball bat at their knee.

Forget the regular season. Who watches or can afford to go to the ballpark these days. Go straight to the playoffs.

Shoud be able to get three or four seasons done in a calendar year.

And change ESPN's name to the ESPNBA.

Wutup, Frank?