Off-Topic Forum

Not sure I like this as a possible rule. 

https://deadspin.com/atlantic-league-batter-steals-first-makes-baseball-his-1836353576

It is absolutely terrible.   Like something you would make up when you were 9 playing with friends. If the Majors implement this, and they are supporting the Indendent League in this,  no more baseball for me.

I was seeing this scroll by watching a Rangers game and wasnt sure how I felt about it. We kinda have this now with the dropped 3rd strike rule. Does this mean that someone can just run to first on a passed ball or wild pitch?

In theory, I'm not against it.  Actually I kind of like it.  However, I think they need to score it differently as according to the comments on there it was scored as a Fielder's Choice.  I don't know what it should be score as but maybe add a new stat called a "sacrifice steal".  People seem to like all kinds of new stats anyways.

Having said that, I don't think they needed to add this.  I still hope they can fix the abundance of scoring.  It's fun watching a home run but what's fun about them is they don't happen all the time.  If you see one every game, it makes it more boring than a pitchers duel.

   I don't have a problem with this rule. 1) The pitcher should throw a catchable ball. 2) The catcher is responsible for either catching the pitch, or knocking it down, and keeping it in front of him. Maybe it will cut down on the number of pitches intentionally thrown into the dirt trying to get a batter to chase a bad pitch. A risk/reward senario, that forces the defense to think twice about what they are actually going to do, because of the risk involved.

    Now, if you want to talk about a play that should not be allowed (and my biggest pet peeve of the sport). It is the neighborhood play at 2nd base. Why is it, that you can be called out, if the defense almost steps on 2nd base, before throwing onto 1st base to try for the double play? Why is the runner not safe for almost getting there in time. Why is the neighborhood play, not allowed at any other base, or home plate? Baseball is a very precise, "game of inches" in every aspect of the game from home runs, to foul balls, to called balls and strikes. Except the neighborhood play at 2nd base!

Sounds like a good way to increase the amount of time it takes to play a game. Isn't that the opposite of what Manfred has been crusading for the past few years?

I'm a baseball purist, none of these proposed changes does anything to improve the game in my opinion. Baseball is a beautiful game and it seems like all these changes are directed to the short attention span "pink hats" who don't have a clue how great the game of baseball is and won't really watch no matter what changes are made. It's just going to alienate more true fans.

Basically it means a runner can run to first at any time on any passed ball or wild pitch.. 

Can you imagine this rule with a knuckler on the mound?

I’m not a fan but it may have been funny watching Kruger steal first on Randy Johnson after he was done peeing himself.