Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have reached a tentative agreement to bring the extra-innings ghost runner back for the 2022 season, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Additionally, they have agreed to expand active rosters from 26 to 28 players this season until May 1. The league’s 30 owners need to vote next week to officially ratify the conditions, but Sherman writes that only a simple majority is needed and the provisions aren’t expected to have any issue passing.
Neither development is especially surprising, as reports emerged a couple weeks ago that both were under consideration. The lockout lingered into the second week of March, compressing the Spring Training schedule by two weeks even with the start of the regular season pushed back eight days. The concern is that the shortened ramp-up period might not afford enough time for players to get ready to shoulder a typical regular season workload. By adding a couple players in the early going and limiting the potential for marathon games, the league and union will give managers some extra flexibility in keeping playing time in check.
Sherman adds there won’t be any restrictions on the number of pitchers teams can carry in April. MLB is instituting its 13-pitcher limit this year. That rule change was originally slated to go into effect in 2020, but MLB scrapped it in each of the past two seasons due to concerns about overworking arms while teams were facing the possibility of COVID-19 outbreaks on their rosters. That’ll eventually be a challenge for clubs, but they’ll have some extra leeway on the mound for the first couple weeks of the season.
The return of the extra-innings runner figures to be the more notable development for fans. It was first implemented in 2020 as part of the pandemic protocols. There’s little doubt the rule has indeed served its purpose of preventing marathon games. There has only been one MLB game that exceeded thirteen innings in either of the past two seasons; there were 23 such games in 2019 alone. Nevertheless, the rule has predictably proven divisive among fans, many of whom perceive the placement of a free runner on second base to start extras as gimmicky.
Sherman writes that the ghost-runner rule has only been approved for 2022, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the league and union revisit it again down the line. The other big on-field pandemic rules change — the seven-inning doubleheader — will not return this year.
One rule that will be in effect permanently is a modification to the designated hitter, albeit one that only seems likely to affect one player. If a team uses the same player as both that day’s starting pitcher and as their DH, he can remain in the game as a hitter even after being removed from the mound. That’s obviously a provision designed to allow the Angels to keep Shohei Ohtani in the lineup deep into games he starts.
Booooooooo!!!
I’m with ya, insert rolling eyes emoji @mlb.
Ghost runners are dead to me, I just can’t see them at all.
i am ok with the ghost runner in regular season, but it should be removed from the playoffs.
It has never been around for the playoffs, unless I’m mistaken.
I’d rather have ties. Also 13 pitchers is way too high. 11 max. Remove excessive pitching changes will force pitchers to stop overthrowing.
I don;t mind it then. No sense in playing 19 inning games when the season is already 162 games long. It is good for the players, Player may to take a 2 hour flight when they just played a 5 and a half hour game. Also, the bullpen is also spent for the upcoming games. Shortening the games makes a lot of sense. I get some will complain since you can’t teach new tricks to old dogs.
Hockey has adapted it’s overtime rules, no reason baseball cannot.
It’s just stupid to have different rules between the regular season and the playoffs.
Other than the fact that the rule IS NOT BASEBALL? What do we call this league then?
Call it softball… ghost runners, guys just trying to “go yard” with every swing, nobody bunts or steals bases anymore, just break out a double first base and call it what it is fast becoming.
So does the guy hitting in the ghost on second get the game winning RBI? How is it even recorded as an RBI since the runner just showed up there? Does the ghost guy get a run scored? If so that’s a bunch of free stats for these guys that seems even extra weak to me.
@dewey Not really, Football and hockey both have differing rules for overtime compared to regular season. It is not something unique to baseball.
An extra inning game to see which teams is advancing in the playoffs is different than an extra inning game between 2 last place teams during a regular season.
@Jimmy If adding a runner on 2nd during the 10th inning changes the game from baseball to softball, chances are you have deeper underlying conditions. Who knows, maybe they have been telling you you are watching baseball and you have been watching softball this whole time.
At least it doesn’t count as an earned run against the pitcher.
If all that matters is shortening the game, and integrity of the game needs to take a back seat to that goal, I have a couple of good ideas. 7innings instead of 9. 2 outs instead of 3. 2 strikes your out. Let’s get it done in 1.5hrs… to keep the players safe of course.
Just a loss he didn’t earn
and next you will want to change the rules of every sport MrAngelFan? How about if in football, the WR’s get to start 10 yards past the line of scrimmage? That might help get us more offense.
Stupid gimmicks that have no business in the game. Why play the game at all if you’re letting stupid rules determine winning and losing? Why not use a T and have teams send up three hitters of their choosing and the one who hits it the furthest provided the ball is caught by an in the park fan wins? Add in that the fan who catches the ball wins a chance at a car. To get it, they get one swing and the ball has to land in their vacated seat!
Football rules have changed drastically over the years to favor offense. The league used to be defense and running back league, not anymore. Everything favors the passing game.
Sorry but starting with a runner on 2nd base from the 10th inning on does not equate to a receiver 10 yards downfield.. One is sensible, one is not. In baseball both teams have. the same advantage. The run expectancy to score with a runner on 2nd with no outs is about 1. This helps only to shorten the games. Shouldn’t need 22 innings to resolve a regular season game.
The pitcher did earn the loss. His job is to keep any runners on base from scoring. If the runner scores, the pitcher earned the loss. It’s the same as if he inherited the runner with 0 outs from a previous pitcher. The pitcher may not allow an earned run, but he does earn the loss.
I don’t get the drama over this. Blowing up a pitching staff to win a 17 inning game is of little baseball value. You may be forced to sacrifice the rest of the series for one game.
By the 17th inning, there are like 500 fans in the stands, 90% of the TV audience has gone to bed (including zero kids watching), the players are taxed, coaches are frustrated, and the umpires want to go home.
Neither MLB or the players care about the game. It’s all greed. Quit trying to change everything!
Yayyyyy for the 13-pitcher roster limit.
I can picture Cora breaking out in a sweat just thinking about it.
I can see the Yankees fans breaking out in a sweat in a couple weeks when their cheating letter gets released!
Speaking on behalf of Yankees fans: No, no we won’t.
^Yankee fan in denial.
Oh how the turntables…
I could see you dreaming of that too, since Yankees fans apparently live in your head. Buuuuut, no, no we won’t. I can’t wait, actually, since it will finally dispel all the rumors & conjecture that fill the hopes & dreams of Yankee-haters….. bring it on.
It’s been the other way around bud. I haven’t paid rent since I’ve been living in Yankee fan’s heads. It’s been sealed and appealed to stay sealed for a reason. I’m just sure NY will suffer some reputational damage. Typical Yankee fan, Yankees never do anything wrong and blind to the facts.
“ I haven’t paid rent since I’ve been living in Yankee fan’s heads”
I’m context of your original statement, sir or madam, this makes no sense. But, whatever makes you feel better, I guess. We are all almost friends here. We shall see when the mysterious letter is released…. And we don’t care again.
But you cared so much when it was the Astros. Now it’s your team and “Nah there’s nothing to worry about”
Were the Astros wrong? Of course but don’t act like they were the originators and the only ones doing it. I only hope Manfred resigns if he purposely covered for the Yankees and the Yankees punished the same way the Astros were.
Yes, still care. Astros cheated to win a championship. Took live video of signals & communicated them to the batter with buzzers & trash cans. The Yankees didn’t do that but you can certainly ignore what they did & just assign any label of cheating as the same…. Cool.
Garbage organization. Cameron Maybin spoke about what they were doing and how they did it. I bet the two are remotely close but you will see the same – most people who seek confirmation bias do. I’ll wait until it comes out for any further discussion – eagerly awaiting.
I think you’re more upset that a trash can has a ring instead of the Yankees. May I remind you, it was proven Beltran brought the cheating scheme from your trash Yankees. Yankees can’t even cheat right. That’s the real garbage organization.
Who Cares!! All this the Astros cheated, the Yankees cheated, I have news for you EVERY SINGLE TEAM HAS CHEATED.
Baseball has always been a game of cheating.
Runner on 2nd, every team gives location to the batter.
Every pitcher not pitching that day studies the opposing teams signs and tries to gain a competitive advantage.
Video teams have been relaying signs for decades.
But guess what after all the “CHEATING” the player still needs to execute. It is really difficult to hit a 98 MPH fastball even if you know it is coming.
The fact you are so upset and need this so bad tells me you know how bad it was. I’m not upset they got a ring, like most true fans, players, & moral people, I find it unacceptable that they cheated systematically & literally changed the entire outcome of every at-bat, every game, and every series because of it.
Let’s see what the letter says. If it says the Yankees did the same, I’ll say they were just as bad & that I don’t condone cheating, & they deserved everything they got. If not, all this hype is just empty hope that another team is just as morally bankrupt as yours.
Difference is, I won’t defend it because it’s indefensible.
Correction, I never defended it. I’ve said multiple times it’s wrong and shouldn’t celebrate it. I’ve also said steroid users were cheaters and your fellow NY people defended that by saying that was an individual thing and not a team thing. So look in the mirror before you talk. I’ll be waiting for this letter and a sincere apology from all you arrogant Yankee fans.
Read the headline this morning “Judge in favor of releasing letter” and I thought Aaron Judge had a personal opinion.
And if the letter says exactly what was already revealed in the MLB press releases, are you going to issue a sincere apology to all Yankee fans?
Are we also not talking about PEDs? And how many guys push the limit now not just in the 90s? Baseball is all about cheating. It’s what keeps kids watching.
It’s only going to reveal that you guys are ignorant to the fact that everyone is doing it and blame Astros for everything.
MlB and NY have 30 days to file an appeal.
Hey whiplash you don’t seem too insufferable or anything. You’re clearly the typical jealous hater. I see a bunch of you on this site going on and on about how the Yankees this and the Yankees that. You’ve gotta be a Red Sox fan that would be the only explanation for your obvious obsession with Yankee fans. If not that makes you just some strange dude who tries to push buttons for no other reason than to be a big old d-b. Which is it d-b or insufferable Red Sox fan? Clipper is trying to be nice but you just won’t go away.
No dude, but you all must be millennials. Don’t want to hear the truth because it hurts your feelings. I’m only returning the favor of all the crap talking Yankee fans did and still do.
Ok, what is the yankee letter all about?
You know millennials are in their 30’s right?
No crap?
The options limit and the IL going back to 15 days will limit the bullpen manipulation a lot this year.
My thoughts exactly, ghost runners suck
MLB can care less what fans think of the ghost runner or anything else unless they stop paying to watch games.
Even Casper thinks this rule sucks
Don’t you like Little League baseball ? Oh, I forgot that’s supposed to be the Majors.
Next, Manfred is going to let them start hitting of of a tee…..
Little League.
Oh yeah. Sprit, tell me, are these the ghost runners of seasons past…
The “ghost runner” should be called the Manfred Man.
The UNION wants it. To some people everything is Manfred’s fault.
Does his Earth Band come in in the later innings?
ugh, this ghost runner BS definitely ruins the fun of extra innings
ironically enough the 7 inning double header actually makes sense and i’d be fine with that
had a discussion about this a month ago with some real life friends (my bowling team) and all 5 of us agreed that the ghost runner rule needs to go and never return!
still fine with it only being this season if that’s the case – whatever needs to be done… but for the love of baseball please please pleeeeeeaaaaaSSSeee dont make this a permanent rule after 2022 @MLB @MLBPA
I love the fact that you are on a bowling team, don’t know why. Prolly will never meet you but I’m happy for you
How is it any different than the Kansas Plan in college football?
There are so many good reasons to end games sooner than to have them drag on. Fans never think about issues like safe access to public transportation for stadium workers very late at night. How to end games is debatable but the need to end them is legit for so many reasons.
fuuuuuuuuu……
*UCCCCKKKK YOU MLB & MLBPA!!!
Now that’s teamwork.
Worst, league, ever.
Absolute garbage
ZOMBIE RUNNER IS GARBAGE
Baseball has been just fine for almost 150 years and yet now there’s a need to speed up the game? The lack of a time clock and all of the game’s eccentricities (I’m looking at you terrible new pitch selector technology) are part and parcel of what has made it the great national pastime. Perhaps this era of instant gratification needs to chill out?
Baseball games used to take 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the era. That was a much faster, different game
Offensive numbers are through the roof compared with past eras. And yet, I think there’s near unanimous agreement that nobody wants the mashing to stop. This is the prime reason why the average length of a game has increased. If you want more home runs you need to take the time to enjoy them.
Run scoring now is lower than it was in much of the 1920s and ’30s, and similar to the 1950s. It is higher than the period from the mid 1960s to the early 1980s.
This is by far the worst rule in the history of baseball. It’s a load of crap.
Every game with a ghost runner will produce an illegitimate result.
It’s not real baseball.
I think real baseball went out the window in 1973 with the implementation of the DH.
Yes, watching 95% of the pitchers hit was real exciting, not.
They used to be able to bunt reliably. Some could even hit.
For some reason, when you lower expectations, you get . . . less.
Funny thing is that the league batting average was .244 in 1972 before the introduction of the DH. League batting average last year? .244.
The highest it has been in the fifty years since the DH was adopted has been .270. The highest it was in the fifty years before the DH was .284.
Sacrifice bunt attempts created some of the most exciting defensive plays in the game, rushing in trying to get the lead out or turn double plays on bunts. And there’s nothing more beautiful than a perfectly executed bunt either.
“For some reason, when you lower expectations, you get . . . less.”
Much like the majority of comments posted on MLBTR
Where does it end? Should we be able to use a hitter for a Billy Hamilton-type CF that is really fun to watch in the OF, but can’t hit at all? What about a slick fielding SS that can barely hit .220? OR what about actually teaching pitchers how to hit?
They are grown men and professional athletes and have been playing baseball all their lives. Maybe if they gave a little bit of effort at the the plate and coaches treated them as if they had more durability than a 65 year old woman with osteoporosis, it might be more entertaining.
Skeptical,
That was an utterly different baseball in which small ball was the game
Well, maybe.
But the players like it, the travelling secretaries likes it, the manager likes it, The fans, based on TV ratings, like it, The fans, based on attendance at games, like it. Virtually every group likes it.
Let me be clear, I don’t like it. But I’m not so self-centered to believe what I want is more important than what virtually every other group likes.
Fans that don’t like it, need to come to the realization that the rule is popular among every demographic.
No it’s not. Just because fans don’t walk out or turn off their TV’s does not mean they like it. Polls on the subject, including one here on this site, showed 89 percent oppose it.
Apart from who likes it, it’s not real baseball. It’s a farce.
I remember that poll. For some reason, it was removed from that article less than an hour after the article originally dropped.
They vote with their time. Which is just as valuable as all the fans that voted with their feet by leaving the game before it’s conclusion.
If fans stayed at games, or kept watching on TV, I might agree with you. They don’t. Imagine a fan spending 200 bucks to see a game actually sticking around to see its conclusion.
I guess we can blame SoCal fans for the (now thankfully gone) 7 inning double headers too, they voted for that by leaving games in the 7th to beat traffic.
L mlb
Either put an ACTUAL GHOST on second base or get rid of the rule entirely.
We demand real ghosts!
Or Demi Moore in something alluring
Now that’s an MLB rule I could get . . .err behind.
(Oh boy, am I gonna hear it for that.)
“Moore crosses homeplate! The Angels win!” “Unchained Melody” blares across the stadium and the crowd goes…
She’s old.
The Walking Dead Runner
Patrick Swayze on second
Too soon.
Win.
new agreement also helps the Angels out, i like it!
Extra playoff teams, now the Ohtani rule…. and the Angels will still struggle to get their 78 wins.
IThe Angels won more then 70s games without Mike Trout without Anthony Rendón with so many injuries if the Angels stay healthy they will win 90 games You as a Pittsburgh pirates fan should talk
Pretty much every team but the Pirates and Orioles would win 90 games if they stayed healthy.
By my count, the Pirates have played more playoff games than the Angels the past 10 years. And without the bloated payroll and misuse of money like LAA.
It’s more exciting watching a Angel games with Ohtani and trout then watching a Pittsburgh pirates
Fans need to openly riot about this. This rule is a disgrace.
A ghost runner is a runner that isn’t there. This is a zombie runner as Ben Lindberg keeps insisting.
Boo0oooooooooooooo
Dumb rule
Ohtani Rule FTW!!!
Right on. Love this new Shohei rule. Good to hear.. They don’t have to worry about leaving him in too long just to squeeze an extra at bat.
At some point later in his career, this could lead to Ohtani pitching as an opener. He could throw one inning then stay in as DH. You can’t move him from DH to the mound late in a game without losing the DH, so it might be the most effective way to utilize him if he were to become a reliever someday.
Screw that.
The fact that they are doing this in the 10th says it all. The integrity of the game means absolutely nothing – just want to get the game over with.
I do wonder how all the players were able to pitch 200+ innings every year, play an occasional long game, etc. It just seems like we can justify every nonsense move under “player safety” when really all it is about is money.
The sport continues to take fans for granted. You should really seriously think long and hard before changing things fans pretty much hate.. But when you don’t care and you assume your fans will always be there…
Even w/ this logic, you could start the rule in the 11th or 12th. You could phase it out after May. Has nothing to do w/ player safety.
That’s why the fans need to openly riot. Storm the field every time a game goes to extras.
Ah finally, a man of culture
It’s what fans would’ve done a long time ago. Times have changed, but I’m not sure what the league would actually do about it.
Yes… every fan that would typically stick around to the 13th inning should storm the field. You may get a few dozen people charge the field.
I’ve stuck around to the 13th every time. And I wouldn’t riot.
I will not be sticking around for the 10th inning as long as this rule remains active. But that’s my choice, and it’ll at least help me get home earlier.
They obviously don’t even think it’s a good rule because they don’t use it in the postseason.
Another MLB/MLBPA embarrassment.
Pete.
At least that is balanced, and I can’t disagree. The game on the field takes a back seat.
While I understand this is an unpopular rule, both the NFL & NHL have made drastic changes to their overtime rules over the years to help protect the players. This is baseball’s version of that. A 162 game schedule is a marathon and the last thing teams need is players getting hurt by playing 17 innings in one night, or position players hurting themselves by being called on to pitch. In the NHL, they shifted to a 3 man overtime period and then to a shoot out. They used to play a full extra period and if no one scored, it ended in a tie. That was a huge change that diehard hockey fans hated at first but they got used to it. The NFL reduced overtime to 10 minutes and made it sudden death too. Something needs to be done in baseball as well, so come up with a better rule if you don’t like the ghost runner.
Dorothy — I’d rather have games end in a tie after 10 innings rather than bastardize the game. Starting with a man on second completely degrades the actual competition, and largely favors the home team.
Wtf
The 26 to 28 is great great news for MLB
Not a fan of the ghost runner but at least it’s only settled for 22, can easily go away by 23
Not a chance it goes away in 2023, both the players and owners want it too much. And none of them give a dam about the fans.
@FPG Yep it’s here for good now. The temporary expanded roster to 28 is good for the union so there has to be a tradeoff.
I am not sure about why people are in such an uproar about slighting the fans with this rule. Do I think it’s misguided? Yes. Do I flat out hate it? Yes. But I am part of a minority that is so invested in baseball that I make comments on a trade rumor site. The average baseball fan does not think like the majority of us posting here. And for those that DO think it’s dumb (my dad for instance, in his 60s) – well, he also gladly leaves early during blowouts on either side and to ‘beat traffic’ despite loving the game for over 50 years. His behavior is not going to change at the few games he goes to a year because of this rule despite his opinion of it.
It’s permanent. I know they said just for 22 but why would it go away after 3 years. Players like it, owners like, fans hate it but they don’t count.
Once these ghost runners start paying union dues, the MLBPA aint going to let the cash stream just disappear. Come on! Think!
I don’t think owners care either way about the dumb rule. Ballpark employees are paid per event, not hourly. Its the players who just want to get the game over with. Next CBA they might try to negotiate games down to 8 innings.
Absolutely terrible
don’t use ghost until 12th or 13th inning at earliest. rather not at all…
regular baseball until the 13th…..then a homerun derby for those that stuck around. i mean if we are making s**t up then why not?
Wouldn’t this be the proper time to introduce the di*k-measuring contest?
Now there’s one contest the Dodgers wouldn’t be favored in, with their 95% white roster, lol
Lmao good penis joke!
The entire game is “made-up”. There weren’t any sacred tablets* prescribing its structure and rules, ya know.
*Of course, those are made up too (IMO) but you get the idea.
Agreed, let the 10th and 11th Inning be normal baseball and then implement the Ghost runner in the 12th Inning.
I could go for that.
Why can’t the runner start at 1st? Seems like it would solve the issue the same, but typically a single doesn’t win a game in extras.
Could force some teams to play a bit of small ball again instead of constantly swinging for the seats and worrying about launch angle.
There shouldn’t be a runner placed on base at all. Most players don’t even reach base 40 percent of the time. This makes it too easy to score. It should take at least three singles to score a run instead of just one.
The fact that a team can win a game without a hit so easily makes the experience so cheap to me. I get you can win a game without a hit. A mix of a walk/HBP, wild pitch/error, sac-fly/bunt can win a game. But how often do you see that happen?
@ mlb1225;
I toggle between multiple games on MLB.TV.
Since this silly rule was put in I simply leave a game if it’s tied in the 9th inning. There are always other legitimate games to watch.
Like many artistic endeavors, baseball has a rhythm it. This gimmick upsets that rhythm.
Don’t like the return of this rule, but my modifications…
Have the runner on first start in the 11th. Then in the 12th, advance the runner to second. For doubleheaders, the runner can start at second in the 10th.
I’m not a fan of the ghost runner, and would have rather seen it implemented in the eleventh inning.
But under the present circumstances, we are gonna have another year of above average injuries to pitchers, due to the compacted spring training….so it makes sense as preventative medicine.
Excellent point
I’ve only been following the Mariners closely during spring training, but their pitchers seem to have gotten themselves ready. Usually the starters go one inning the first time out, then two, then three. This year they showed up ready to do three.
Time will tell if they really are ready, or if they’re pushing too hard.
Joe Maddon suggested going the 10th and 11th with no ghost runner. Add a ghost runner on 1st at inning 12.. Put the ghost runner on 2nd in the 14th or 15th.
is it the ghost of Christmas past, present or future?
It’s not the Ghost of MLB past, he’s wretching in the bushes after I explained the Ghost Runner rule.
It’s the ghost of Jacob Marley and he’s been warning us of the upcoming long dark baseball night for 2 going on 3 years now. Ofcourse if we’re following the plot line, many more rules will change and things will get worse before they get better at the end of the story. If you will.
AS you say, the game will morph. And soon, with many of the new rules to come, it will be called Baseless Ball, wherein Players and Owners sit across from each other on a plastic diamond field (cheaper that way) and argue.
Fans will be allowed to cheer for their “team” (Players or Owners) only in even innings and only then if they’ve purchased a $45 hot dog (not all beef) and a $50 beer (ingredients unknown).
Since all contestants will be exhausted by the 7th inning, paying customers will be asked to finish the final two innings of arguing.
More rules to come.
Did the CBA end up banning the shift too? I remember that was one of the early issues they supposedly agreed on but never heard much more about it
That won’t go into effect until next year.
Nothing against Ohtani, but implementing a rule to appease literally 1 player is stupid. If they want to keep him in the game they should move him to another position on the field.
Just not as stupid as the ghost runner. Why not do this starting in the 8th inning of tie games to lower the probability of even getting to extra innings?
The rule makes sense to me. Since there is a DH in both leagues. Why should a team lose their DH?
Even though it is only for one player, it makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is the team loses it’s DH.
If the DH takes the field, they still lose the DH. They simply don’t view the pitchers as a position player, neither does anyone else.
That rule does make sense. Just because the pitcher is changed doesn’t mean that the DH should have to change.
It makes sense because Ohtani is a two-way player
I have a solution. Stop crying and teach your DH to pitch. If you did, you would say the rule is fair.
So the solution is to teach players who we’ve admitted are incapable of playing (good, or even average) defense, to pitch, after we’ve admitted pitchers are incapable if hitting? That makes zero sense.
The rule didn’t make sense to me in the first place. The role of pitcher and DH should be separated. They should not be inherently connected. In the NL, where the pitcher was listed as both pitcher defensively and in the lineup., if you remove him as a pitcher, you remove him from the game. In the AL, the roles are listed separately. If I removed him as a pitcher, I shouldn’t have to remove him from the role if DH. You are not forced to remove your DH if you remove you pitcher and the DH and pitcher are different players. The fact that Ohtani is a unicorn should not hurt the team
Even if Ohtani is no longer an Angel in 2 years, I would say this rule is fair. Baseball knows that the more Ohtani is on the field, the better it is for the game of baseball. It was not just Angels representatives that voted for this.
Implementing a rule to keep MLB’s most marketable player and reigning MVP on the field more often while not affecting anything else makes a ton of sense. Making fans watch some pinch hitter off the Angels’ bench in the late innings instead of Ohtani does not help grow the game.
Right now Ohtani Good for the game bringing baseball more to the forefront he’s the face of baseball if you think about it baseball needs a little help popularity Wise You gotta admire a two-way player or what Bo Jackson and Dion sanders accomplished playing two sports
Utter BS, man. Sadly, these are signs that it’s here to stay indefinitely beyond 2022.
Oh yeah, it’s permanent now.
Bring the lockout back!!!
This rule is absolutely embarrassing. Ruins the integrity of the game. It’s a MF joke.
Start ghost runner in 13th inning and I’m ok with it
Im fine with this, not a bad idea. It gives then 4 exta innings of normal baseball to decide the winner, then brings in a gimmick that can shorten it up if need be.
The players and owners finally agree on something. And that “something” is terrible for the game. Neither side gives a damn about the sport.
$$$ is all they give a damn about
So stupid. The fact that neither side cares how much fans hate it is a good reflection that fans mean little to them.
When they posted an article about this a week ago, there was originally a poll asking for fan opinions on the issue. I recall the poll had 87% of fans voting opposed to the rule. When I checked the article again 45 minutes later, the poll had been removed.
Can we stop calling it a ghost runner? A ghost runner is whenever no one is actually on the base and the runner advances based on the number of bases the batter gets. This is not a ghost runner, it is an actual runner.
I’ve always like “zombie runner” in this case
This. We did ghost runners in the backyard when I was a kid. This is something else. Zombie runner is a better term.
I don’t care about the ghost runner rule. It applies to both teams so there’s no unfair advantage either way. Besides, I waste too many hours on my baseball addiction as it is. I can live without 4-1/2-hour ballgames, especially if they’re night games on the opposite coast.
Actually, so far there has been a tremendous home-field advantage to this rule because if you hold them in the top, it’s really easy to score just 1 if that is all you want.
If it’s so easy to score, how is the other team kept from scoring at the top of the inning?
It favors whichever team can trot out a good baserunner without sacrificing a regular player (catcher for example) in the event they don’t score.
I assume the idea is to use the previous inning’s last out-maker again this time around…
My biggest problem with the free runner is that, in theory, a pitcher or pitchers can pitch 10 PERFECT innings and lose the game before the other team even gets a hit. All it takes is a ground out to the right side followed up by a sac fly and you are down 1-0 in a perfect game. Ridiculous.
I mean, I hate the rule personally, but your argument against is a hypothetical that may happen in .0000000001% of starts?
EDIT: missed the ‘pitchers’ plural. I don’t have the time to look that up but how many games went 0-0 perfect on one side and no runs on the other to even queue up this situation? Once a year once a decade? Once in ever 2500 – 25000 games maybe?
I mean, just because it hasn’t happened often or is even likely to happen doesn’t mean it is OK for the possibility to even exist for it to happen.
It is next to impossible for a game to be decided by falling refuse from a plane, but that doesn’t mean they should put in a rule forcing the home to forfeit if waste from a plane lands on the field just because it isn’t likely to happen.
I’m in the minority but I like the ghost runner, it’s like sudden death overtime and the strategy for the manager. No sense blowing out a pitching staff playing 18 innings.
It is nothing like sudden death, except for true fans of baseball
What strategy? Swing as hard you can to lift the ball or to the right side to move the runner over. Repeat.
Should be runner on second w/ two outs for each side back and forth
Thank goodness. What a relief. I had hoped to be able to pay more and watch less baseball than before.
This makes the game so much more exciting. In fact, the only way to improve the game from here, Manfred, is to go full-on, uber-competitive challenge of Rock-Paper-Scissors if the ghost runner takes too long. Then you will have reached the most interesting, engaging version of new-age baseball.
My son would advocate for a Pokémon card battle if we really want to go new-age.
Whoa! Way past me. I’m such a dinosaur…This is why we all need to die off and baseball needs new fans entirely. Like soccer fans or something.
JFC don’t give Manfred any more ideas. There will be show boats coming out of the dugout with oven mitts on their hands. You know, because there rock, paper and scissor hands are so hot.
Their
Damn the man! And auto correct
So there’s no one who likes this rule? Anyone?
I hate it. I’d rather they remove a fielder each inning after the 12th – at least that way you still have to hit the ball.
The only people I’ve noticed who like it are casual fans. Or those who will watch a few innings here and there and want instant action. Clearly, the most passionate fans are the angriest.
The most passionate fans are a higher source of revenue, as they engage much more often. While I consider myself a passionate fan who is angry about the rule, I’ll probably just ignore any extra innings action until the playoffs.
Passionate fans spend a lot more per person but they are a very small overall percentage of total fans.
I am a die hard fan and love this rule. I dont need to see marathon games without any action for hours on end. Give me the exciting ending anytime. Extra innings is must watch now. Sign me up.
Thank You. Permanent installation of the rule next.
How do you know who’s a casual fan and who isn’t?
garbage. just have ties.
I’ll bite. How do you determine tie-breakers at the end of the season with even more playoffs teams now?
End-of-season, tie-breaking Home Run Derby?
Have them joust on horseback in the outfield. Best 2 out of 3?
On horseback, jousting?
The ghost runner rule is a travesty, some pitchers will give up a hit or walk sometimes both but get out of the jam. With this it’s 1-2 runs.
AWFUL
I have come to the conclusion that I have been too close to baseball in the past. I love watching the game and will for my local team. I no longer have a favorite team. So I will back away to box scores and enjoy the game as I did in my youth. I grew up listening to baseball and follow the daily box scores.
That’s kind of my attitude also. I have the MLB app and for 20 bucks I can listen to any game I want.
Lame.
Wait… seriously? I thought that was a joke. Every single person I’ve heard speak on the issue and everyone I’ve asked about it in person has said they hate the runner on 2nd rule. Who is voting these things in?
The laziest athletes and the poorest billionaires on the face of the earth.
I’m scared of ghost runners. And cardboard cutout fans.
Cleveland Spiders freak me out! All spiders are extraterrestrials, I’m convinced.
Lol… they do have 8 eyes! That is NOT normal
Booooooo!
Unrelated: I wonder what happens to $1M funds that each the union and MLB had set aside for stadium employees in the event of a prolonged lockout. Going back to their own coffers I presume.
Ghost Lives Matter!
I seriously wonder what baseball will look like in 20 years. If it’s even still a thing……….
It won’t be. Or if it is, rosters will solely be based on a social credit score. Unpopular opinion? No call up for you!
It’ll be a thing. It’ll still make a lot money. But fewer and fewer people will pay any attention to it. I think this sport can be fine for 10-20 years but after that could be a disaster. Young kids don’t play this sport any longer – guessing it eventually ends up as a more successful version of where the NHL is.now. Played by rich kids, loyal/hardcore audience that isn’t very large. etc.
I surmise robo-umps, for sure, calling all actionable plays. Two expansion teams. One-time designated runner (hitter stays in the game). Strictly enforced pitch and batter-in-the-box clocks. The A’s still having plumbing issues.
I take it most everyone who hates this rule will still keep paying to watch baseball? Because mlb can care less what you think until it decreases their revenue.
I stopped paying for mlb a few years ago as I just have gone from a giant fan to losing interest year after year.. Games take forever, lack of action/ 3 true outcomes, too many teams tanking, etc. I used to go to 10-20 games a year and now it’s more like 2. For me, yes this is just another thing that will make me pay a lot less attention to baseball. I’ll look at the box scores of course. and flip on the radio here and stay current via the net but that is about it
The issue is it never is just one thing. This sport just takes its fans for granted. I think we all know a lot of people who grew up loving this sport who barely pay any attention to it any longer. Insulting the die-hards who are left is not a good strategy.
Good for you. Most people just complain but won’t actually speak with their wallet.
A joke of a rule. Just terrible. I can see the free runner starting in the 12th inning, but a single shouldn’t win the game in the 10th. But what can I say? Baseball seems he’ll-bent on alienating its core fans.
Hell*
This unequivocally lessens the game, puke.
What’s next green baseballs?
They tried colored balls in the 80’s
themed, it was an orange baseball in the 70s.
Spring Training Game. Clyde Wright was on the mound for the Angels against the A’s. Clyde Wright hated it. I’m not aware of any other games.
A few games with the A’s. Charles O. Finley’s experiment
Very Good Patrick.
Since we are talking Angels, A’s and extra innings games. One of my favorite games ever was the 20 inning one run game that took place July 9th 1971 between the Angels and As.
it ended at 1AM and I was glued to my chair.
I’m personally sorry we may never see that again.
Most practical rule since the no pitch intentional walk. I like it. It’s more than worth the unsavory aesthetics.
I miss the intentional walk. Pitchers get the yips at times. Throw it back to the screen. Can’t throw strikes to the next batter. Throw it too close I’ve seen a guy hit a home run. Another stupid game change!
I love all the old men crying about the ghost runner. It is the most exciting thing baseball has done in a century, get over it. Adapt or die.
Then 80%+ of baseball fans are old men complaining about the rule. I’ve been pretty proactive in all the rules they’ve implemented so far, and I can understand each. Three batter minimum helps keep the pace of play and action up. Universal DH now gives players who mostly DH an entire other market and could help prolong careers. Plus it elimiates the pitcher hitting, which is almost always an out. But this doesn’t seem to benefit anyone. After the 12th inning? Ok, I can see it, but in the 10th? That really sucks and seems kind of anti-fan. MLB TR ran a poll back in 2020 when they first toyed with it in the shortened season and the feedback was 80/20 dislike to like. I don’t know what it would be 2 years later, but I don’t feel it’s changed all that much.
I don’t want to sound old, because I’m not, I’m in my 20’s, but this really does take away some enjoyment for me. It’s not a point of ‘adapt or die’. It’s a point of completley changing how the game is played in extras. It also creates an unfair advantage to the home team, who has last at bats and the opportunity to end the game with two sac-flies/bunts/hits. Now you don’t even need a single in the inning to win.
That’s the thing for me. It doesn’t create more exciting play. A bunt and a sac fly isn’t exciting…. At all.
Heck, even a single with a runner starting on second to walk it off isn’t very exciting.
Adapt for what? This ain’t bringing in new fans.
Yay, let’s continue to find ways to cheapen the game… WTF?!?!?
I simply hate the ghost runner, and I almost never use the word hate. I’m fine with changes. Let’s give the pitch clock a shot. Fine with restricting shifts. I can live with the three-batter rule. The ghost runner though changes the very nature of the game.
Adding the pitchers for the first three weeks is a good idea.
Yes, and adding pitchers could very well reduce the risk of injuries. Makes sense. Ghost runners – doesn’t make sense, except that TV doesn’t have to air games as long so they don’t lose money for other programming… MLB parks can close on time so they don’t lose any extra money, & players play less baseb……wait a second, it seems like this could be about money in some way.
In 2023, the baseballs will be bigger and they have to pitch underhand.
Oooooohhh. And we can call them “softballs “ so it sounds nicer too!
The players and owners strongly agree on something, and the fans on this board hate it.
Go figure.
I hate this rule so much! Really shows they don’t care about the fans! Seriously considering not teaching my 3 year daughter about the Tigers and mlb.
The biggest issue with the ghost runner isn’t that they don’t care about their fans because those of you that are dedicated baseball fans are going to keep watching and I doubt this is the hill that you take your stand on and quit watching. MLB is trying to attract a newer younger demographic and that is why pace of play is the most important thing to baseball now. NFL and NBA viewership is at an all time high and that’s because the game moves at a quicker pace and keeps peoples attention. That is the only reason baseball is doing everything they can to make the games go quicker. We live in an instant gratification era to where people don’t have the patience to let things breathe and enjoy all of the nuances of baseball that make it the game that it is. Cell phones are the biggest thing that has hurt baseball. Next time you’re at a game, look around and see how many people are staring at their screens instead of focusing on the game. The phones have killed attention spans and made it that much harder for people who grew up with a phone glued to their hand to be able to enjoy baseball.
I wish that was true. The data shows that w the ghost runner, each extra inning takes a lot longer. 70 pct of games the old way never went beyond the 11th. It does prevent marathon games. I think there was a compromise to be made here. However, I doubt this adds any fans. Diehards are diehards. But there are a lot of solid baseball fans this sport has been losing who watched baseball a lot 20 years ago and are casual at best now. We dont need to be adding more.
I know shootouts in the nhl are a joke. But I never loved hockey so whatever. I think there are a lot of people who like baseball less just because of this…and that is a mistake.
I’m personally scoring games with my cellphone! Now, I don’t have to remember to bring extra pencils and a sharpener. In all seriousness, it’s been a while since I’ve seen an older fan do that. Those are fair points.
I don’t buy for one second that supposedly reducing the time of a game by a few minutes is going to bring in the kids. This is because the players want it and it doesn’t effect the owner’s bottom line. So they were fine with it. The owners get their money from the TV contracts regardless of the fans’ opinions and the players get their money. They don’t care.
Starting extra innings with a runner on 2nd base is the worst thing to ever happen to the game in my opinion. Can’t believe that is coming back, such a little league type rule to implement.
Okay, new idea. What if we put a net behind home plate and put a ball on the mound. Then one player get selected on each side. One has to kick the ball, the other has to defend the net. In OT they each get one kick & the first one to get it in wins.
That type of game should draw all kinds of new fans, right? Maybe we can use that to score to, or we can put a net on each side of the field and kick the ball back and forth, but make the ball bigger? How about that?
I’m gonna be honest, I’m not gonna enjoy baseball as much anymore, especially in extra inning. Never thought I’d say that, but yeah. It kind of cheapens the experience to me. When you implement a rule where a team can easily win the game without a hit, I just don’t find that as fun baseball.
I think the casual fan normally likes the idea of the “ghost runner” while diehards hate it.
I think the pace of play has been a concerning issue for years but I’m not sure I like this idea as it sits. If they want to speed it up, then in between innings seems more reasonable.
I think it should be an option coaches can take but if they want the “ghost runner” it comes at the cost of an out.
FIRE MANFRED
FIRE THE OWNER
FIRE THE PLAYERS
FIRE THE MLB
The PLAYERS wanted it.
Let’s just try to get as close to Mario Super Sluggers as possible.
Put a target out in CF and it’s worth 200 points. 1000 points gets you a stanazolol power-up.
Hit 3 in a row for an immediate bonus Androstenedione shot, we can call it a McTurkey or something. Fans will eat it up!
People can hate on the ghost runner rule in extras all they want, but it accomplishes what it set out to do: shorter extra inning games and adds a bit of excitement. It has a good chance to become a permanent rule as well. As much as some fans wax romantic about long extra inning games and “tradition,”. Most fans hate long extra inning games. They leave the park at that point because they have to go to work the next day or turn off the TV and go to bed. And players for the most part hate long extra inning games. It decimates pitching staffs for days.
In 2021, it made 70 pct of extra inning games longer by time. Does eliminate marathon games but it actually lengthens a majority of games because each half inning takes forever.
I don’t find a sac-hit and a single very exciting. I don’t find the idea of being able to easily win a game without even a hit exciting. I don’t see how this rule adds ‘excitment’.
What about all the exciting intentional walks?
The only exciting intentional walks were when Barry Bonds was walked with the bases loaded, when Miguel Cabrera hit a single on an intentional walk pitch, and when Gary Sanchez drove one to the warning track on an intentional walk pitch.
Its also being done because concessions now close after the 7th inning at least for alcohol sales. The owners can’t make the money they used to when games went extras.
Awful. Top of the 10th runner on second scores on a bloop hit. Home team doesn’t score bottom of the inning, Misses out of the playoffs by one game….. Hey, what am I talking about, doesn’t every teams make the playoffs now?
I think the ghost runner should be on the other team, he runs the bases backwards, and he can tackle the actual baserunner. Now we’re talking!
Adds excitement, I love it! Haha
I think they should cast a curse like in Mario Party. All base runners can only advance one base regardless of where the ball is hit.
If you finish one game out of the playoffs and you lost a ‘ghost runner’ game, you’ll think twice next time they vote on it.
No ghosts in baseball, we need ghost busters
WHAT IN THE HELL IS MLB & MLBPA trying to do really destroy the game of baseball with all these FLUCKING anti baseball new rules this is total BS
it’s a dumb as it sounds. screw Manfred and screw any moron that thinks this is a good idea.
Screw Tony Clark and the Players as well? Who do you think pushed it?
You think the owners care? TV, managers, stadium employees, team employees care. The owners don’t.
Blame them.
I understand that it’s no fun for the players to go, say, 18 innings when it’s a west coast game. If you’re from the east, you are already starting to play at 10/11pm ET and extra innings puts them up in the wee hours.
However, a better solution would be focused on those games instead of all (so that players/owners can still make the same money and play less/lower overhead (can’t sell beer after the 7th). Surely better solutions exist.
I would be more content if games (or prefer table, solely late games) reached the 12th inning, coaches can agree to postpone the game. The next series between the two teams, one game is switched to a 7-inning double (maybe, just maybe, that would also satiate the league’s need to install 7-inning double headers). The extra-inning game’s fate would feel more natural to me then, and if I were blessed with 14 innings instead of 9 one day of the next series, I’d be a happy celestial.
If it is a ghost runner, than it isn’t a real runner. Run won’t count.
The Ohtani rule was my question for the chat earlier. Glad that was answered quickly lol
Pirates demanded a “Dan Vogelbach” Rule”, when every batter who gets to first base is served a buffet.
The Toronto gentleman manning said position asks if the buffet is open to fielders as well? I didn’t know what to tell him…
Where does this nonsense end if, say, attendance isn’t what owners want it to be? Would they remove the ghost runner or expand on it?
Bases loaded to start the 10th. If the away team doesn’t score, the home team wins.
A serious and hard fought game that becomes a parody with a ridiculous gimmick in extra innings.
stop it! please stop it now!
I’m all for the ghost runner but only if they have to dress up as a ghost
Our softball team votes on a Worst Player of the Week and they have to wear a lacy, diaphanous teddy/garter thingy over their uni for the next game lol
I got a wild idea, how bout leave the game alone! Baseball is great, the business of baseball absolutely BLOWS!STOP coming up with these stupid fly by nite rules. It’s starting to become embarrassing to be a baseball fan. Seriously.
I hope Manfred goes down thanks to the Yankee scandal cover up where we can undo all the crap ideas he has come up with like this.
LAME
It and those shortened double header games belong in 2020 Mickey Mouse season.
What is this? Backyard 8 year old baseball. Unbelievable. This is really stupid.
Trash.
The rule requires ghost runners in bare feet only. Also can only advance by hopping on one leg, with opposing arm tied to their back.
Ugh.
Between this and the Ohtani Rule, there is hardly a game resembling baseball anymore. Let’s just dispense with real players and start televising computer simulations.
Little League rules! Seriously. The next thing is no pitchers and hitting off a Tee! . JUST STUPID!!!
Not a big fan of the ghost rule but can live with, it’s pretty much fair to every team. However, the 7 inning DH rule was unfair to the teams who forked over the money to put together the best bullpens to pitch the 8th and 9th. Which, were probably the teams who demanded its elimination.
Breaking ties with a game of ping pong would probably be fair to every team, as well, but it’s not major league baseball.
If I were a pitcher and got a loss off of a “Ghost Runner”, I would demand them not put that loss on my record. To think we could have more teams losses than pitchers losses is absurd. But why give the pitcher a loss when the game ended prematurely? How is Boras ok with this? This boggles the mind. I would rather do ties after the 12th inning.
I might be a ghost if Manfred continues to destroy baseball.
Insert Michael Scott “noooooooo!!. God please Nooooooooo!” Gif here.
HATE IT!!
Manfred the clown strikes again. I really thought we’d have a compromise where it wouldn’t take effect until the 11th or 12th but baseball has no integrity (after all the league allowed the Dodgers to buy Freddie Freeman when they didn’t even need him, right?). I guess because of the lockout and lingering pandemic stuff they have an excuse but this is another loss for the fans.
kick out manfraud!
let us all leave the stadium as soon as the runner is put on the second base!
NO!!!!
Why not just load the bases?? This is equally absurd.
I guess the Manfred Man is a thing again
They should follow the example of the NHL and use a modified version of hockey’s 3 on 3. If a game goes extra innings, each team loses a player on the field and in the lineup. For the tenth, each team loses an infielder of their choice, the eleventh it’s an outfielder, the twelfth the DH, the thirteenth another infielder, the fourteenth another outfielder, the fifteenth another infielder, the sixteenth the last outfielder, the seventeenth the last infielder. Heck, legend has it that Satchel Paige had all of his fielders except the catcher go off the field before striking out Josh Gibson on three pitches.
So basically have bugs bunny do everything.
Why not, he beat the Gashouse Gorillas on his own.
Instead of the All-Star Game, there should be a trophy raid. Teams will have 48 hours to steal as many World Series trophies from other teams as possible.
The Yankees will be purchasing tanks to guard their stash.
I tolerated the ghost runner during the season(s) of Covid. I don’t want to tolerate it now. My hope is this is restricted to 2022, but since there’s really no reason to implement it for the entirety of 2022 (why not only have ghost runners for the first month while pitchers build up innings?), my fear is it will be implemented permanently beyond this year.
With the lockout and the labor dispute I almost walked away from MLB but now with this rule change its official. This put the nail in the coffin.
RIP MLB
I know, let’s also add a tee if games go into extra innings. Maybe in the playoffs if games are tied in the 9th inning then we can make sure there won’t be extra innings by just having a home run derby between the teams two best power hitters. Or better yet, if the series ever becomes tied then the next game can just be decided on a coin flip! So exciting!
…
…
…
This is ridiculous.
I think the simple fair way to speed up extra innings is to change the balls and stikes to 3 balls and 3 strikes instead of 4.
Fortunately, I’m old enough to remember when baseball was good and didn’t have to implement these panty-waisted rules.
That’s not a change in the DH rule. You list the pitcher in the batting order as a DH, not P. Very simple. It’s been done that way in amateur ball for years.
The ghost runner thing sounds like something from Little League. We don’t want those multi millionaires to strain themselves by playing more than 9. The Orioles (for one) will take full advantage of the no limit on pitchers for the first month. They’ll probably carry 15 and they’ll all suck.
Just for fun, someone should go back over the past hundred and eighteen years or so and see how outcomes could have been different with the “ghost runner” instead of good old fashioned extra innings. Then see if the teams that made the postseason would have been different than those that actually did make the postseason. Then send a letter of apology to each of those teams. This should be done immediately. Then look at the last two years and see if outcomes would have been different without the ghost runner. Then send letters of apology to any teams negatively affected. Then ask every baseball fan in the history of baseball if they approve of the ghost runner rule. Then go to the Supreme Court for a final ruling. Then send letters of apology to every fan in the history of baseball.
That ought to keep them busy. Then maybe they can’t come up with more stupid rules.
Cmon already with the gimmicks. This is starting to not even look like baseball anymore. And for all the people that need pitch clocks, no shifts for more action, and constant HR boooo to that as well. This is baseball, sit back and enjoy the contemplation, longevity, and strategy of a good baseball game.
More and more new ideas to stop pitchers from hurting themselves. None of them work. Try not throwing at max effort every time
4 hours of watching guys adjust their batting gloves and stare into space between each pitch only to have it end on Little League goofiness.
This sport has issues.
For those who want there to be only “normal” baseball, does that mean to eliminate players of certain colors and ethnic backgrounds, and play only during the day?
Every industry has to evolve. Moreover, things that seemed like good ideas 50 years ago are no longer good ideas. MLB has the unique advantage of being the only “content” available for at least two months of every year; it should be the most popular thing on every channel, radio, streaming device, smart phone. Instead, attendance is declining as well as interest, especially in the important demo groups.
Basically, what we have here is the only movie theater in town trying to get by with running 20-year-old movies. Ya, it’ll work for a while. But it will fail. As will MLB unless they modernize the game in a DRASTIC way (not having 7-inning double headers is just beyond idiotic). Continuing to use the Super Ball, thus creating a robotic game of 3-outcomes, is the real enemy here; a game of 15 innings where there’s bunts, stolen bases, doubles and triples is a joy; a game of even 9 innings with the Super Ball is tedious enough, never mind playing more innings.
This has to be the stupidest analogy I’ve read in a while. You’re seriously comparing not allowing minorities to play MLB with the extra innings rules?
oh STFU
I HATE TIES… I mean I HATE them… the reason SOCCER hasn’t caught on in America is because we hate ties. we need a winner and a loser. which is why we made a shootout in hockey to eliminate the tie. the only thing worse than a tie is ghost runners. NAVY football coach Tom Hamilton once said, “a tie is like kissing your sister” – if Tom Hamilton were alive today he’d say “a ghost runner is like kissing your brother”
F$&king Why?? I hate that
Here is a crazy outside the box idea that might upset a lot of people. But I think what baseball should do is develop and teach their young players how to score runs. Maybe, just maybe, if they learned this skill they would be able to put it to use in extra innnings. Alert the press.
In all seriousness the greatest thing that could ever happen for baseball would be adopting a system of relegation like Europe does with soccer. If the players were threatened with the possibility of being relegated I guarantee players would have been hitting against the shift, scoring in extras, not striking out as much, pitchers would be developed.
But it will NEVER happen. Americans sports leagues are interested in money first and foremost. The owners would never agree to a drastic change like that.
Not a single baseball fan likes this rule. Universal DH, plenty of people like, pitch clock, plenty people are ok with, but this … no one in the history of the sport is actually fond of this
Garbage
A ghost runner is one you don’t see, we see this runner, they automatically place him at second. Isn’t he an actual “ghost batter” and then actual runner but not a “ghost”?
And the rule is dumb, quit tinkering with the sport.
Another rule that’s not best for the game. I wonder what Manfred got in exchange for this from the players?
I don’t mind the rule in the regular season so much, but I wish there were a better way to let teams pick the ghost runner. One Dodgers game I watched last season, the opposing team had their leadoff batter as the ghost runner because he’d made the final out. The Dodgers had Pujols as theirs. If the teams could pick their ghost runner, it would at least be more equal.
If the intention is to avoid marathon games then at least defer the Ghost runner rule until the 12th inning (or later).
yes, this, but I’d even prefer the 11th inning to the 10th — best would be no ghost runners at all, but I’m willing to compromise
Nobody asked for this.
All I ask is that for the postseason that it be gone
I absolutely hate the “Casper” rule for extra innings. It served it’s purposes for COVID and should now disappear. The game I love so dearly is becoming invisible to me. I’ve lost my spirit for the game. and cannot phantom these changes which will haunt me for the rest of my life.
I’m not a fan of this rule, but it will be less annoying without 7-inning double headers. Similar to how shootouts shouldn’t determine a hockey game, an extra baserunner just feels wrong to me. I get that they want to speed up regular season games though. So as long as this doesn’t impact the playoffs then I’m fine.
Hate, hate, hate the ghost runner. The only thing that might make it palatable is if they go to the 10th and 11th as per normal, and if still a tie, THEN go to the ghost runner. in inning #12. I do understand the need to get the players off the field and into bed, and the need to protect pitchers’ arms…..but a free runner after 9 innings is a gimmick WAY too early..
Thank goodness those multi-millionaire players won’t have to work any “overtime.”
Those poor darlins’
Ghost runners: STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID.
Oh, and it’s stupid.
TEE-BALL. What a friggin joke.
It all makes perfect sense. The “New Normal”. Your dollar is worth less. Gas is through the roof. Grocery items contain less product. What used to be “bonus baseball” for the true fan is now a joke. The regular folks get screwed as always. All brought to you by the ultra-wealthy who “know better”, so just shut up and take it. And I am 100% capitalist by the way. It’s not the system, it’s the caliber of people we have nowadays. Rotten
Why don’t they go all in and just load the bases? Or go EA sports style, and the teams draw a baserunner scenario out of a hat?
“Welcome back, this is Michael Kay. We’re headed into the 10th inning, and for this inning, each team will start with one out, one run already in, and runners on 1st and 3rd.”
Of all the stupid policies that Americans had to endure over the past two years, MLB putting a runner on second base at the beginning of an extra inning has to be among the top 3.
I don’t like the “ghost runner” rule but I would be all for haunted base paths in extra innings. Give them nothing but candle light starting with the 11th inning and place traps in the way…like that mine cart ride in Donkey Kong 64. Demons will chase them, gates will fall right in front of them and tombstones will randomly pop up out of the ground.
In fact, extra innings should just be played on a roller coaster.
Boo from me also. I hate the stupid ghost runner. It’s so hit and miss.
I attended a Yankees-Phillies game last year…exciting game. Yankees scored 4 in the ninth to tie the game. The Phillies didn’t score in the 9th so it went to extra innings. Nearly everyone in the stands near me (both Yankee and Phillies fans) were less than supportive of the Ghost rule in quite creative terms.
Some of us decided to leave the game then and there.
I suggest that if you’re at a game and the Ghost runner appears…you turn into a Ghost fan and walk out.
Oh, that’s garbage.