The Shift being stopped new rule

[1952boyntoncollector]

I just think we dont give enough credit to development

NBA has seen the rise of the 3 point shot when it was said you cant win it all with jump shots as a primary way to win...yet that skill was developed..

having better bat control would be a skill, heck maybe to help it along is you allow the shift for the most innings but not in the 9th inning which would make the 'closers' appear a lot more valuable as you may of seen my posts against most closers not comparing well to starting pitchers for HOF consideration...

[packs]

The two pick off / step offs per at bat is the dumbest rule. How long will it be until people start taking free bases because the pitcher shook a pitch off and wants to reset?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by packs

The two pick off / step offs per at bat is the dumbest rule. How long will it be until people start taking free bases because the pitcher shook a pitch off and wants to reset?

will be more pitch outs..

[mrreality68]

I hate the banning of the shift and I believe it takes away from baseball and the basics of baseball.
They are supposed to be pro hitters let them "Hit it where they aint" and then they will not shift on that player.
It also takes away more of the strategy of the game.

I do not mind change and evolving the game but i do not think this does that

But reality they are doing it and we have to live with it

[nolemmings]

With regard to speeding up the game, I looked at the 1972 World Series stats the other day and saw that only one of the games lasted longer than 2 1/2 hours, and that was Game Seven. Six of the seven games were decided by one run, and given the high drama of such close games and the pomp and circumstance of the World Series, you would think the TV commercials combined with mound visits, tosses to first, stepping out of the box etc, would have stretched those times out mightily, yet one of the games lasted only 2:06.
It just should not be that hard to speed up play nowadays.

One thing I like is the few commercial spots they show during the game in split-screen format, for 15-30 seconds while a batter approaches the plate or there is a mound visit. Use your commercial time thusly, and eliminate the long delay between innings. Frankly I find myself at least marginally paying attention to the product during those split-screen ads as opposed to muting the damn TV between innings (as an aside, I will never in my life buy a Liberty Mutual Insurance product after being swamped with those stupid Emu and Doug commercials). Granted, with more in-game ads we might miss out on extra Eduardo Perez babble or similar inanity from the so-called "analysts", but I'm willing to make that sacrifice.

[RCMcKenzie]

Ted Williams did not beat the shift by going oppo-taco. He just kept pulling the ball. He was before my time.

Shifting on every batter after observing their statcast hitting chart cluster is a very new concept. I think Tampa and Joe Madden started it, and the Astros from 2015 have dominated with the strategy.
I'm thinking banning the shift will bring back the good ol' days, not take them away.

[packs]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

will be more pitch outs..

You won't catch a guy stealing during your pitch selection with a pitch out. The only way a pitch out works is if a runner has to wait for a pitch to be thrown before they take off. If you can't hold a guy on with a throw over, he risks nothing taking off as soon as the catcher throws the ball back to you.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by packs

You won't catch a guy stealing during your pitch selection with a pitch out. The only way a pitch out works is if a runner has to wait for a pitch to be thrown before they take off. If you can't hold a guy on with a throw over, he risks nothing taking off as soon as the catcher throws the ball back to you.

Jon Lester like never throws to first and people werent stealing every time..not saying base stealing wont go up.

i do think they can throw to second base though as thats not a pickoff but trying to stop an attempted steal

[D. Bergin]

Weren't people just complaining not too long ago, there's not enough base stealing and small ball going on anymore.

[packs]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

Jon Lester like never throws to first and people werent stealing every time..not saying base stealing wont go up.

i do think they can throw to second base though as thats not a pickoff but trying to stop an attempted steal

Again, you had the threat of a throw over at the very least with Lester. This rule eliminates the possibility of a throw over in game situations. It is not the same thing and it does give you an advantage if you're able to draw two throws. You can run at will after that.

[D. Bergin]

Lester was a Lefty, which by itself keeps most base runners somewhat honest.

Also, at the height of his yips in 2015 he DID allow 44 stolen bases at an 80% success rate...which is pretty atrocious for a lefty in a mostly non-running era of baseball.

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by packs

Again, you had the threat of a throw over at the very least with Lester. This rule eliminates the possibility of a throw over in game situations. It is not the same thing and it does give you an advantage if you're able to draw two throws. You can run at will after that.

Lester was not a threat to throw over, when its 99% no chance to throw over thats not a real threat.