CH CH CH CHanges
Posted: Wed Jul 24, 2013 2:49 pm
A friend asked me what baseball needs that they don't have. I couldn't answer right away. I needed time to think.
In the last 24 hours, I've come up with a list that I'm sure can be added to by you folks.
Here are mine:
Intentionally walking a batter, baseball has it all wrong.
The catcher puts his glove outside. He should be putting it at the batters hip.
Pitching the ball at the batter would have four different outcomes:
1) A hit batter would result in fewer pitches for the pitcher
2) It involves the hitter instead watching him being disinterested
3) It may hit his bat resulting in an easy out
4) And most importantly, an intentional walk would be damned entertaining to watch
Catchers shin guards.
For years, catchers wear these bulky shin guards. Granted, they need them and I don't want to take them away.
That said, where is a catcher most vulnerable?
That's right!
A ball to the balls.
A cup is no match for a 98 mph fastball foul tipped into the nads.
I would have my catcher wear a 'Package Protector'. They work like Shin guards. Like the Yeager throat protector, hanging down. Think to yourself, would you rather have somebody slap you in the throat or the balls?
Yeah, me too.
Shifts have become the norm in baseball now.
It's shaved a lot of points from a lot of hitters averages. I want to see a Manager take the next step.
I want them to have so much confidence in a ground ball throwing pitcher that he plays five infielders and two outfielders.
It's the next step in a shift, but of course the penalty would be more severe in that a possibility exists in giving up more total bases.
Still, if the pitcher is doing his job, most balls will be topped, not lifted.
This defense may be eased into by using an outfielder as a short fielder like softball.
Managers or coaches should never step out on the field. There is not a fan alive who enjoys a Manager or pitching coach coming out to the mound. It's boring. Besides, these are men, not little leaguers. They know what they have to do.
And Managers pulling a pitcher is just wasting time waiting for his reliever to warm.
Why do we, the fan, need to sit through that?
Here's my fix.
We want to use technology for instant replay, let's use it for changes.
Manager text umpire
'Papelbon for Hamels'
Umpire comes from behind home plate motioning Hamels to the dugout and Papelbon from the bullpen.
Yep, that simple.
Managers and Coaches also disagree thru texts
Of course a text saying, "What a f------ Pisspoor call!" Could get them thrown out as well as saying it.
All stadiums should have dirt leading from the pitchers mound to home plate.
It just looks good.
Make the Designated Hitter in both Leagues.
It's going to happen eventually anyway.
Make the designated runner a rule too.
Before the game, the Manager must point out who will be the runner and who he will be running for.
For example, Billy Butler would be listed in the lineup as
Billy Butler-DH/Jarrod Dyson-DR
Butler could never run for himself, Dyson could not be used to run at any other time in the game other than his role as running for Butler.
This, of course, would change fantasy baseball in a large way.
What about you?
Even if tongue in cheek as some of these have been, what are your suggestions?
Once a girl told me that baseball would be a better game if first base were moved in five feet and all fences moved in by 10 feet.
I asked her why.
She told me that this would eliminate close plays at first base and balls hit to the warning track.
Yes, she was dead serious.
In the last 24 hours, I've come up with a list that I'm sure can be added to by you folks.
Here are mine:
Intentionally walking a batter, baseball has it all wrong.
The catcher puts his glove outside. He should be putting it at the batters hip.
Pitching the ball at the batter would have four different outcomes:
1) A hit batter would result in fewer pitches for the pitcher
2) It involves the hitter instead watching him being disinterested
3) It may hit his bat resulting in an easy out
4) And most importantly, an intentional walk would be damned entertaining to watch
Catchers shin guards.
For years, catchers wear these bulky shin guards. Granted, they need them and I don't want to take them away.
That said, where is a catcher most vulnerable?
That's right!
A ball to the balls.
A cup is no match for a 98 mph fastball foul tipped into the nads.
I would have my catcher wear a 'Package Protector'. They work like Shin guards. Like the Yeager throat protector, hanging down. Think to yourself, would you rather have somebody slap you in the throat or the balls?
Yeah, me too.
Shifts have become the norm in baseball now.
It's shaved a lot of points from a lot of hitters averages. I want to see a Manager take the next step.
I want them to have so much confidence in a ground ball throwing pitcher that he plays five infielders and two outfielders.
It's the next step in a shift, but of course the penalty would be more severe in that a possibility exists in giving up more total bases.
Still, if the pitcher is doing his job, most balls will be topped, not lifted.
This defense may be eased into by using an outfielder as a short fielder like softball.
Managers or coaches should never step out on the field. There is not a fan alive who enjoys a Manager or pitching coach coming out to the mound. It's boring. Besides, these are men, not little leaguers. They know what they have to do.
And Managers pulling a pitcher is just wasting time waiting for his reliever to warm.
Why do we, the fan, need to sit through that?
Here's my fix.
We want to use technology for instant replay, let's use it for changes.
Manager text umpire
'Papelbon for Hamels'
Umpire comes from behind home plate motioning Hamels to the dugout and Papelbon from the bullpen.
Yep, that simple.
Managers and Coaches also disagree thru texts
Of course a text saying, "What a f------ Pisspoor call!" Could get them thrown out as well as saying it.
All stadiums should have dirt leading from the pitchers mound to home plate.
It just looks good.
Make the Designated Hitter in both Leagues.
It's going to happen eventually anyway.
Make the designated runner a rule too.
Before the game, the Manager must point out who will be the runner and who he will be running for.
For example, Billy Butler would be listed in the lineup as
Billy Butler-DH/Jarrod Dyson-DR
Butler could never run for himself, Dyson could not be used to run at any other time in the game other than his role as running for Butler.
This, of course, would change fantasy baseball in a large way.
What about you?
Even if tongue in cheek as some of these have been, what are your suggestions?
Once a girl told me that baseball would be a better game if first base were moved in five feet and all fences moved in by 10 feet.
I asked her why.
She told me that this would eliminate close plays at first base and balls hit to the warning track.
Yes, she was dead serious.