What Happened to Baseball?
Again, I feel that we need to say it again. “Let them play!” Here is what I had to say over a year ago…
Let Them Play!
I’ll never forget this scene from a great baseball movie. When the umpires tried to call the game early because of time, the little kids started chanting, “Let them play.” Then the coaches got in on the action, then the whole stadium. Granted, this is just a fictional movie but it serves up my first point, forget the time and let the boys play ball. Ever since the beginning of the 2020 Covid season, we’ve seen a lot of changes in the game, and don’t worry I’ll get to some of these in a minute.
I’ve been watching baseball since the early 80’s and I’ve never thought the games were ever too long. Those that complain about the length of the game are those that don’t understand it or are just looking to cash in on it. It’s ridiculous to me that anyone would even think about the time of the game, the game is the game, take it or leave it. Baseball is a mental game as well as a physical game. For those of us who have played a little, we understand there is “the game,” and then there’s the “game inside the game.” When you are in a hurry to get the game done, the game inside of the game gets missed. The league has started putting limits to the numbers of mound visits you can have, again, part of the game inside the game.
Rules, Rules, Rules
Now that we scratched the surface to the timing of the game, let’s talk about all the new “rules” the league has been so happy to “bless” us with. First, let’s start with the minimum batter rule. If a manager decides to make a pitching change, that pitcher must face three batters or complete the inning prior to another change being made. Now I get it, it kind of sucked watching a new pitcher for each batter, but if I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again. Come on it’s the game inside the game!
Next let’s take a trip down the double header lane, where again, in the interest of time we are now allowing double headers to be 7 inning each. Oh, come on this isn’t high school baseball! These are professionals making seven figures to play. Let them play! There was even a no hitter thrown in a double header but it doesn’t count as a no-no because it was only 7 innings and not 9.
Finally, the one I hate the most is the runner on second to start an extra inning game. This one makes NO SENSE to me. Extra innings is extra innings. Let them play! It’s like the MLB is our parent and we need to get home before the street lights come on or it’s off to our room without dinner. The league counts EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING. Have you ever been watching a game and heard the announcer say, “Well, let’s see here? He’s hitting .400 under the lights, with two men on, on the third day of the month, in odd months, on the west coast, so he’s great for this situation.” Now you know, I’m joking a bit here, but the reality is they do count everything. Starting with a runner on second effects ERA’s, RBI’s for the hitters, and a number of other things. This rule, again, makes no sense to me AT ALL!
New Norms…and Maybe Not the Best Idea
Let’s start this off with talking about pitch counts. The old, old school guys like Whitey Ford, Sandy Koufax, and Bob Gibson (to name a few) never worried about pitch counts. Can you imagine if someone tried to take one of these guys out because they threw 100 pitches? Then you have the guys like Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Jim Palmer, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine who, again, just pitched and didn’t worry about this stuff. In addition to the pitch count, we are starting to see “bullpen games” which drives me up a wall. When did this become a thing for a manager to start a guy from the bullpen and throw all relievers?
Now onto the shift. Again, when did it become a thing to have a fourth outfielder to stop a ground ball? The league is “good” at making up new rules. How about this one? If you want to shift, all four players playing the infield MUST be able to touch the infield dirt with their spikes. What do you think? Again, the MLB counts everything and players get paid based on numbers. True this would make it easier on the hitters, but it drives me crazy when I see the second baseman playing his position, while the third baseman is playing short right field and the right field is standing on the top of the fence trying to flag down the vendor with the peanuts. New norms or should they be? I’m interested to know you’re thought on these.
Finally, the Lighter Side of the Game
I’ve got to start this portion off with the Javy Baez play in Pittsburg. If you haven’t seen it yet it’s all over the place, look it up. I don’t want to spoil it for you. All I have to say is Javy is just a guy out there having fun and he took advantage of a mental mistake by the Pirates first baseman. Then you have to laugh at all the things Trevor Bauer is doing on the mound. For those of you that think he can dish it out but not take it, go back and watch his postgame interview after the Padres game in LA a few weeks ago. Again, there’s a guy that loves what he does and is having fun doing it.
Baseball needs more humor and less of the crazy, serious emotions. And, of course, last but definitely not least, let’s talk Albert for a minute. As you know, I’m a huge Dodger fan. When the opportunity arises, I love to give a little to my fellow Angel fans. You gave up Albert Pujols for nothing, so let’s take a quick look at the numbers. Shall we? With the Angels he played in 24 games, had 5 homers and 12 RBI’s. With the Dodgers he’s played 19 games with 5 homers and 13 RBI’s. Not to point it out but he has raised his batting average by 70 points as well in a Dodgers uniform. He must like playing for a team that actually has a shot to play in October. Poor Albert won’t get to be on his couch all October, this season he’ll get to play. Thank you, Angels. We are happy to have him and grateful you’re willing to pay the majority of his salary.
At the end of the day, this is the majors and for goodness sakes, let’s just let them play! Tell me what you think Top Fans. What did I miss?
Resubmitted by Bill Perkins