Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut
I know some guys who make the same argument - "well why not make them call out the pitch while they're at it!?!"
And when I ask them how the shift helps the entertainment value of the game, they don't really have an answer. Just that it helps teams win and therefore should be legal.
My counter is that EVERY sport has rules designed to maintain competitive appeal. It's stuff like illegal formation or illegal man downfield in the NFL. Prohibitions on certain kinds of defenses in hockey and basketball. Or hell, goaltending in basketball; afterall, if you have a guy tall enough to swat a ball away on its way down, why shouldn't you be allowed to do that?
Eliminating the shift will make the game more entertaining. It will create renewed emphasis on speed, defense and contact. It's a GOOD thing for the product on the field.
I just cannot understand the opposition to it unless it's just the idea that baseball should be a free for all out there and whatever it takes to win is fine. Spitballs, sign stealing, all of it. So long as everyone's on a level playing field, why not?
I can't get there. This will improve the game. The shift blows.
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You fix the shift by learning to tap a ball the other way.
I get that baseball has changed the height of the mound, and made other various rules modifications over the years but seems to me they are making up for the players inability to adapt.
Its along the lines of the fact players simply cant bunt anymore when needed. Basic shit.
In the end will the shift being gone even be noticeable watching afterwards?
Nah but it probably annoys me because its irritating watching players fail to adapt to it.
The pitch clock is a waste of time as well just like the 3 batter minimum. Games aren't noticeably shorter.
While I am at it, I also loathe the ghost runner in extra innings as well.
Get off my lawn!
