Which of the 5 new rules ....

[garyd4sf]

... made for the truncated baseball season just past, should we keep them?

3 batter minimum for incoming relief pitcher..... Id say no.

Universal DH- though I'm mostly a purist, that dead spot in the lineup is too much. I'd keep the universal DH.

Extra innings starting with a man on second- Keep it. But like others I would start with a man on first in inning 10, and second from then onwards.

7 innings for a double header game- no, a game is 9 inning unless shortened by weather.

Extended participants in the playoff- keep it, even the Giants were possibly in until the last series.


How about others take on this?

[klaiggeb]

I kind of like the 3 batter minimum, Gary.

I was/still am, sick and tired of games dragging on and on and on and on... as the managers trot out a new arm every time you turn around.

I also think... think I like the 7 inning double headers.

As Alec Pavlovic pointed out in a recent article, it saves massive wear and tear on your pitching staff.

As to the DH, I'm with you!


Unfortunately, by the 2022 season, I'm betting we'll have it.

[Islandboagie]

The only thing I liked was the additional roster spot, i might even round it off at 30. I like the idea of killing some of the farm system too.

I don't like the 7 inning double headers, or the new extra inning rule. Nor do I like the 3 batter rule, I miss the battle between a left handed specialist and a left handed power hitter. But maybe some less harsh rules need to be applied to pitching changes.

[klaiggeb]

I hadn't thought about the extra roster spot, boagie. I, too, like the idea of keeping it.

But I'm curious; why are you in favor of killing some of the farm system?

[Islandboagie]

I think it's too much, Boly. Rookie league, low A, high A, AA and AAA. Not to mention they have all the instructional leagues in other countries and some of those countries have their own professional leagues. Some players just waste away in the minors. The minors are watered down with "talent" that have zero change of making it to the big leagues, and there are also a lot of players that once played in the majors but weren't good enough to stick. I believe the path to the majors should be shorter, and more focused on progression and less on just filling out rosters.

[klaiggeb]

Interesting take...You've given me something to really think about, boagie.

Thanks!

[reedonly]

I agree with consolidating the farm systems. Most of the players that would be affected wll never make it. Most of them make about $300 per week for the 5 month season only and are pretty much at the poverty level. Some teams even charge clubhouse fees to the players. I've heard of a player living out of a school bus. In addition to the consolidation, they will be raising the minimum wage and reducing travel. This seems to shift the burden a little more to the organization and off of the players.

[klaiggeb]

Thanks for the insight, Reed. Much appreciated.

[reedonly]

What most poeple don't see is that the players drafted higher get the bonuses but the ones that don't get bonuses are probably cramming together in apartments and not eating right. Also, a lot of them don't speak English which makes it even harder. Most of these players would need to take extra jobs which would take time away from learning baseball skills. Furthermore, many minor league teams do not upkeep their equipment (gloves, cleats). Bart, Ramos, etc probably don't have to live like that because of their bonuses but the way they treat Joe Single-A is borderline illegal. The consolidation sucks for the fans, especially the ones in cities which lost teams (Salem-Kaizer) or had their teams demoted (Fresno) but its probably a lot healthier for players. Its still poverty level for most but there is a little more breathing room and less giving guys the illusion of big league dreams.