So it does look like the distance between all bases will be 4.5” shorter. That’s an awful decision. Also, there shouldn’t be a pitch clock with men on base. Certainly not with men on and 2 outs.
Family reunion must be coming up, and the owner is tired of all his Dodger fan relatives making fun of his team.
It's been pointed out that this is the way baseball was when we grew up...less than 15 seconds between pitches and 2.5 hour games. It's gotten progressively worse. Players will adapt quickly and it'll be a none issue.
Saw a video of a guy getting pushed out of the batters box by an inside pitch near his head. He steps out to gather himself again. The implication was that 15 seconds isn’t enough to gather yourself after nearly taking a fastball to your head.
Would you like to talk to CB Bucknor today? I would like to watch, and eventually get involved. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35740304/mlb-reviewing-exchange-oliver-marmol-cb-bucknor
Umps have had the discretion to call time in situations like that and if they are not forced to abandon that I see no reason to be concerned yet.
The bases/lack of shift will make a huge difference. The bases in general make all SB stats irrelevant.
@sealclubber1016 you can’t be serious right? You like this ****? My big worry is the postseason being decided on some nonsense. Geezus
What I think will be interesting is that pitchers won't be able to shake off their catcher 3 or 4 times, roll their hand around impatiently followed by a mound visit where they discuss and then finally decide on what to throw. Pitchers are going to have to trust their catchers to make the right call most of the time. Hopefully that benefits guys like Maldonado who very much do their homework and are fully prepared with the info they need to call a good game.
Not a fan of banning the shift, but the pitch clock and limiting pickoffs will be wonderful for the game. Hate it when a pitcher makes 4-5 pickoffs because he's scared of throwing to home.
