Major League Baseball announced today that it will experiment with various rule changes in the Atlantic League this season, which begins April 28. Since 2019, the Atlantic League and MLB have had a partnership whereby the latter uses the former to test out rule changes before they are brought to the majors, with the general goal being a better pace of play and more game action.
This year’s season will be testing the following rules, with direct wording from the MLB release:
- New to the Atlantic League this season will be the use of a Designated Pinch Runner. Each club will list a player who is not otherwise in the starting lineup as a designated pinch runner. That player may then be substituted at any point into the game as a baserunner. The player who is substituted for, as well as the pinch runner, may then return to the game without penalty.
- Unlike the new MLB rule which allows a pitcher to disengage from the pitching rubber twice during an at-bat, the Atlantic League will permit only a single disengagement per at-bat in 2023.
- The ALPB will continue the use of the “Double-Hook” DH rule, which allows clubs to use the designated hitter throughout the game provided that the club’s starting pitcher has completed at least five innings. If the starter fails to make it through the fifth, the club then loses the DH for the remainder of the game.
Of these three changes, the first one is clearly the most significant. The “Double-Hook” rule is not in place in the majors, but was previously attempted in the Atlantic League in 2021. Initially, a team would lose its designated hitter as soon as the starter was removed from the game. Last year, that was modified so that a team could keep its DH if the starter lasted five innings, with that modification continuing into 2023. The goal here seems to discourage creative pitcher usage, such as deploying openers or bullpen games. This would also increase the importance of strong starting pitching, something that has waned with time as teams rely more and more on relievers to finish games. Even if this rule were to ultimate make it to the major leagues, it wouldn’t be a drastic change, as it would simply revert certain teams to pre-DH rules on a temporary basis. The universal DH only became permanent a year ago with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The disengagement rule is already in place at the major league level, with this just being a slight modification of it. The goal there is to increase action by having more base stealing attempts. Along those same lines, we have this new designated runner rule. It’s easy to see how this would lead to increased action on the bases, with the league having many players who can hit but who lack speed, or vice versa. Pinch running is obviously not new to baseball, but it has traditionally involved the removed runner also being removed from the game entirely. This new rule would allow a pinch running specialist to repeatedly ply their trade throughout the game, whereas a slower player could be removed early in a game but continue to hold their place in the lineup.
Like all proposed rule changes, the intended goals will be tested to see if they actually work, while many will debate whether the changes are worth it. Some baseball fans are resistant to any change whatsoever, while even some who don’t consider themselves traditionalists might still have problems with certain proposals.
It’s worth stating that it’s not a given that a rule tested in the Atlantic League will inevitably make it to the majors. Some changes have made the jump, including the three-batter minimum for pitchers, the bigger bases, defensive shift restrictions and others. But there are also changes that were tried and ultimately abandoned, such as moving the pitching rubber back one foot.
Why?
Because baseball is so irrelevant that they’re trying to look at whatever they can to make it popular again (won’t work).
This is a curious website to be on for someone who apparently dislikes baseball.
More than 3,000 PA in MLB.
Ace, is that more than 3,000 Potty Appearances in Mommy’s Little Basement?
No way you are a former big leaguer with your attitude about baseball.
.773 career OPS.
I want this to be true so bad. A former player who’s all bent out of shape about how the game is now, randomly throwing out weak stats to make people think he’s real. PLLEAASEEE BE TRUE
When did you play?
How many teams?
A few more juicy details and I can figure out who you are
OPSEC.
late 2000s to early 2010s- 3 teams.
ok based on the data youve given (3000 PAs, .773 OPS) I did a search with an ops from 770-775 and less than 4000 PAs and more than 3000. A list of 17 players fits that. 5 of which played before the 2nd world war so imma go with 12 options. Another 3 had passed. That leaves us with Floyd Robinson, Lee Stevens, Chris Sabo, Ellis Valentine, Yuli Gurriel, David Dellucci, Mark Canha, or Nick Esaky. Of those 9, only Robinson, Dellucci, Valentine, and Canha have a .773 career OPS. So who are you?
another option here with 2988 PAs and a .772 OPS is chad tracy but he played for 4 teams
Was too much of a free-swinger. Should have drawn more walks to take more advantage of the speed. Don’t have much HR power anyway.
None of those people played from the late 2000s to early 2010s.
Just telll us cause these numbers dont match witch time frame.
They can’t do this! I get way too much enjoyment watching Vogelbach thunder around the bases!
@tstats – Good investigative work! Came here to say Chad Tracy, and maybe he lost count of the teams he played for.
I ain’t none of those players. Just be glad a former player is on these boards.
I meeaaann…..I was thinking more of a Wes Helms, John Baker type. Dependent on playing for the marlins at either the beginning or end of your career…definitely in the TX NC TN FL born….
And then I realized after looking at some comparable players….it doesn’t matter who you were.
And no we’re not lucky you’re here
You don’t speak for anyone here but yourself and get a life.
Definitely doesn’t sound like someone who last played 13 years ago-ish. Sounds like a 15 year old.
I have a great life, thanks!
@ace
“Just be glad a former player is on these boards.”
Why? Even if you are a former player, you’ve brought nothing to the conversation that is any different than your garden variety troll.
Ace, you are irrelevant.
This is an article, read it, if you are capable.
Hey Jm… Reynaldo just punked you.
Thoughts?
Hey Jm. Reynaldo just punked you.
Thoughts?
Don’t care about random people on the internet…
Oh but you do…
Heh heh heh heh…
You do.
HEH HEH HEHEHE HEH!
Unnecessary in every way imaginable
Giancarlo Stanton would disagree with that.
Stanton is also unnecessary in every way imaginable
Ugh….just when these new rules couldn’t get worse….
wesleyisme: Totally agree. A player being replaced by a pinch runner, then allowed to return is little league and high school stuff. But they allow a player to return because there’s not enough players on the team. I do like losing the DH if a pitcher doesn’t go 5 innings. They should get rid of it completely. As for not letting managers have a bullpen game, it’s ridiculous. What if the team played a doubleheader the previous day or had injuries? Manfred has no business sticking his nose in a Manager’s choice of pitchers. I’d like to see Manfred have MLB and continue wrecking it and hopefully some billionaires will start a new league which will let players play the game the way it’s supposed to be played.
You can still pitch a bullpen game when necessary. You just have a further disadvantage of no DH beyond his first PA for that game. The idea is to get teams to do it only when necessary instead of going overboard with them. That’s a good side effect of the double hook rule. I just don’t like how you get the DH for the entire game as a reward for a 5+ IP start and lose all the late game strategy with no DH that inspired the double hook rule in the first place.
Otherwise, I agree with you: Double hook, good. Designated runner, bad.
Lets lets the fans be umpires for a few games a year…
@MortDingle
Good idea. Then they won’t get so upset when they’re sitting at home in their recliner crying to the ump that the call should have been a ball.
that would be fun though until someone takes a 100mph fast ball in their face
@joew
100% of the Jimbos at watching home wouldn’t even see the ball in the first place. They’d be too busy on their phones facetiming their family and friends.
@OldYork hahaha yeah for sure. I doubt the umps see it half of the time based on some of the calls 🙂
I took an 80mph off the facemask directly because i lost the ball. sat me on my butt for a while. My daughter wanted to catch.. after a few games and taking a beating.. shes not so sure this year (little leagues). any one sitting back there behind the plate especially higher levels.. they got some guts
Actually, Bill Veeck did something similar. He let fans be MANAGERS once in a while.
Bill Veeck, don’t you wish he was 109 years old still owning the White Sox?
I wish someone like him was somewhere!
He tried to make baseball fun and build winners.
Billy Hamilton approves.
I like the pinch runner idea. Better than having guys that are made out of glass running the base paths and all the speedsters would have a bigger role on clubs. Also loving the pitch clock, best thing to happen to baseball, tired of pitchers and batters shuffling around, more action and quicker innings.
Charlie Finley approves.
Billy Hamilton isn’t fast enough. Every team would literally hire a track star like Herb Washington or Usain Bolt with this rule in effect, and they’d be offering these track stars thirty million a year. Think about it, they could rack up dozens of steals a game by coming in every inning — even pinch-running two or three times in the same inning if they score. Every single would effectively become a triple because you can take the two stolen bases for granted.
The scary thing is none of this will show up in the Atlantic League where the runners will be regular baseball players because there isn’t much money involved… so MLB might think it works.
This is getting ridiculous
One step closer to DH for fielders. Only seems fair that the pitcher only has to pitch so why do fielders have to field, hit and run the bases?
Heck, why not just have a separate offense and defense just like football? I mean baseball should be more like football since football is more popular now, right? smh
Football supplanted baseball because of the pace of play. Football’s play clock is essentially a pitch clock’. Ironically, due to football’s enormous appeal, we get TV timeouts. Having been to live games, the players now stand around for no apparent reason.
You can watch a football game in under 30 minutes if you take out all the non-action. That has been available on NFL Sunday Ticket for years. LOTS of dead time in a 3 hour NFL game.
Yep. When I was a kid… Two games on NBC, CBS. One each at 1pm/4pm EST. You could bank on games being decided in 3 HRs. Now, they’re 3:45 or so. The addition being the TV timeouts.
Again, I wasn’t aware until I went to live SD Chargers games. I asked my buddies why everyone was standing around. The answer was the TV time-outs. We paid HUGE prices to watch that live?
Ridiculous.
bronx – It’s not pace of play, it’s the physicality and the parity. People love the hard contact and “buying” the sport’s best players isn’t nearly as common as it is in baseball.
Football is also an inexpensive sport for kids to play, whereas baseball requires the purchase of a somewhat expensive glove.
I submit it’s both. The play clock minimizes screwing around. And yes, the physicality… except it now seems the QBs are so über protected they should just wear flags and let the defense grab them.
@hiflew
Why does the pitcher need a DH? He’s part of the fielders, right? If the pitcher gets a DH, why not the other fielders?
I agree. I am 100% against the DH in the NL. I also wish they would do away with interleague play. Unlike AL fans. I really don’t care what they do in the other league because I don’t want to take away something that I know other fans like.
@hiflew
100%. I’m actually an AL fan but I dislike the DH and think it takes away athleticism of pitchers also being part of the team and not just a pitcher. The fact that they opened the door to a DH for pitchers should also mean they should let fields have a DH too.
I have often thought that too. My elderly grandfather lives with me and he is a Reds fan. We live in the Reds viewing area, so I have often watched Reds games with him even though I am a Rockies fan. I thought for the longest time that Billy Hamilton would have been a superstar if he didn’t have to bat. His CF defense would have been amazing. Couple that with the Designated Pinch Runner and you could have a first ballot HOFer.
Ironically, there IS a HOF player named Billy Hamilton. He was an excellent fielder, hitter and a superb base-runner.
Hit.400+ for the 1890 Phillies and scored a ton of runs.
Slidin’ Billy Hamilton
I remember. I learned about him in my youth when I had a baseball sticker album. He was in the top 10 in career stolen bases, I think #2 or #3 at the time.
I’m all for the DH rules we have in place because it allows Ohtani to pitch and then still hit when he comes out of the game. Makes for better baseball.
I understand the no DH in the NL. But I think that rule is here to stay for a long while. I think it keeps money flowing and evens the two leagues out for the playoffs, roster wise.
I’m 100% with hiflew about getting rid of interleague. I don’t think it makes sense to have it anymore
I like Ohtani. Not sure the rules should be changed just for one guy, but since they are, I’d like to see if anyone else could do something similar.
Trying to equate pitching 95mph and standing around in the outfield as the same thing is pretty damn silly.
@NickTheDev
I never suggested they were the same thing. I’m asking, why does a pitcher need a DH, when he’s on the field and one of the fielders as well but somehow, the other fielders don’t have that luxury. I think pitchers should be batting. We’re getting to a point where the so-called athletes aren’t really athletes anymore but one-dimensional players.
Pitcher: All I do is throw the ball.
DH: All I do is hit the ball
Baserunner: All I do is run bases for the DH.
That isn’t baseball, that’s learn to play baseball from 2 years old.
I think that’s where we are headed
I get that this is sarcasm and would truly be a ridiculous change, but be careful, as some people may actually seriously consider the idea as an actual rule change
This will bring in zero new fans
The Designated Pinch Runner, if it can be capped to only a few times per game, will bring an exciting twist to late inning game management. It will also allow speed only players like Billy Hamilton and Terrance Gore to display their talent on a major stage.
Sports is about inclusitivity and we should applaud it when it is moving toward that direction. They’re not changes just for the sake of changing the game.
Sports are about inclusivity, and pinch runners advance inclusivity. That’s a new one.
Maybe you have trouble understanding what inclusivity means.
Maybe you should shove your inclusivity.
This is sarcasm correct?
You can already do that. You just have to take the risk of the permanent substitution for the rest of the game..
Yes, it does means there’s not much room on the roster for speedsters who can’t hit, but that’s a good thing. MLB positions players *should* need to be good at more than just one specialized skill to stick in the big leagues. Even Billy Hamilton himself, who is also a good fielder, does not belong in the Big Leagues if he can’t hit to a minimal acceptable level, as he can’t. The only exceptions are elite defense catchers who can’t hit nor run.
Teams will hire guys that have absolutely no baseball skills but have world class speed. The fastest runners in baseball today are about 30 ft per second. World class sprinters in the 60 and 100 meters are at about 34 ft per second today.
That 12+ percent difference is huge. They could never be thrown out and since the pitcher can only disengage twice, they would steal bases at will. A single or walk would be an almost automatic triple, maybe more.
The catcher and pitcher would have to combine for a 2.28 pitch and pop time with both throws exceeding 94 mph to catch the runner with a 34 ft per second sprint speed. The fastest “release times” (from the time the pitcher begins his motion until the pitch reaches the catcher) were around 1.35 seconds and were relievers from the stretch. That would mean the catcher pop time would need to be under 1.2 seconds and no one is under 1.6 seconds.
The game would become hitter gets on base by a hit or walk, stolen base, stolen base, steal home. Next batter. Rinse and repeat.
Paging Quintin Berry. Paging Quintin Berry.
There’s a name I haven’t heard in awhile.
I could see the designated pinch runner becoming a reality, but little chance on the other two.
This could possibly prolong the careers of full-figured DH types.
Designated pinch runners! Intriguing. I’ll be interested to see the impact when it’s used well.
Herb Washington is rolling in his grave right now
He’s still alive…so that’s weird.
Everyone needs a hobby. Maybe he just got a prime location and likes to visit.
He’s with Eloy now
So he’s rolling in a pigsty mud hole?
I’m for tie game after 12 innings test it out in Atlantic league
Or possibly settled by a game of chance?
I don’t know about the whole game but I like this for extra innings. I have watched way too many games where the team that wins got lucky enough where the runner on 2nd was the leadoff guy and the losing team had like, a catcher or slow 1b guy to start the inning and they get hung up at 3rd instead of scoring
Honestly, they should just dump the rule that doesn’t let players return to the field after being subbed out. I’d like to see some of the SPs go 5 innings and then take a break and come back out for the 9th to get the win and the save.
Go jump in a very steep hole
@Little Stevie Janowsky
You seem upset… LOL!
Nah. Tired of hearing people spewing idiotic ideas. This is one thing that I’m in agreement with liberals on. Free speech shouldn’t exist. People that spew idiotic ideas should be sent to prison. For what you said that should be an easy 15 year prison sentence. Also you should have to permanently register as a ‘downy offender’
@Little Stevie Janowsky
So, who would decide what is acceptable free speech? Yeah, I don’t think that’s how the Founding Fathers intended.
So if its your idea we dont like?
so with your initial reply to old york.. you would be in prison as well right?.. or the comment i’m replying … since that is a pretty idiotic idea. I hear they’re going that route up north.
When Free Speech is only Free Speech when you agree then the problem isn’t Free Speech.
Shove it. You rude punk.
they can be subbed.. put in them in the OF or First if they can manage it. Move them back to pitcher when ever you want. This would be quite awesome if you have a couple 2 way players on the team. Just keep switching them back and forth based on match up lol.
They might have already created a rule to stop that though.
I’m usually open to new ideas and rules but all of those suck so bad. Even the Savanah Bananas wouldn’t use such bad ideas.
Great, another rule that allows bad/one dimensional players to play whoo hoo.
Designated runner kills the idea of baseball. the extra innings guy on second is bad enough. Designated hitter you can make an argument for. I disagree but you can make a good argument for.
Single throw over is even more silly. two isn’t enough. One throw over with a designated runner artificially increases SBs.
Double hook ads even more confusion and seems counter productive. If you have to pull your starter in the 4th because he gave up 10 runs… taking away the DH makes it even harder to catch up. Either get rid of the DH or Keep it.
If you want to see pitchers pitch.. have no DH through the 5th then DH from then on regardless of whose pitching. At least then it will be more like no DH. when relief pitchers came in.. they rarely got an AB anyway. Using a DH saves a bench bat instead of having to pinch hit the last handful of innings. 5 innings or 3 PA’s maybe if there are long innings.
I was agreeing with you until you got to the double hook. Your suggestion defeats the primary purpose of the double hook rule! You want the DH at the beginning of the game when the starting pitcher would otherwise have to hit for himself, not at the end of the game when the NL style of late game strategy with pinch-hitting and double-switching comes into play, *NOT* the reverse!
I made a mistake in my typing.. if you want to see pitchers hit in the first part of that idea.
I’d rather have no DH. I want to see pitchers hit. being able to drop a good bunt at the very least. I want to see hitters field even if they’re a fence post. I want to see any player be able to be able to get to first faster than I could..
Since relievers rarely hit anyway seems like a good time to use a DH IF you are going to put some sort of hook in there.
I’m sure there are better ideas, this is just something off the top of my head. What is described in this story is not one of them
Face it. there really is not much strategy with pinch hitting unless there is an injury. It is just deciding on a bench bat/defensive sub to use while keeping count of where the pitchers spot would be. But it does allow for more people to actually play and to use that bench and pen more rather than just have them sitting around
The terrance gores will like this but this is beer league bush league little league stuff. doesnt belong in the majors.. Encourages players to NOT get in shape and run the bases.
Hey, can you guys please do a discussion on this, so we can all talk about how insanely STUPID rob Braindead is, and how he will single handedly ruin baseball. I’m so sick of some idiotic moron, with the IQ of a spaghetti noodle, making up these ridiculous back yard wiffle ball rules. I want 5 minutes alone in a room with him. no witnesses.
Watch out for this tough guy everyone. Relax, the game is more exciting than ever. Not everyone wants to see three true outcomes. Steals are back, athleticism is back, and games are quicker. It is a good thing.
Having one-dimensional players as proposed by this rule kills the idea of athleticism. Steals are up artificially because of rule changes, not an increase of athleticism. The quicker games are fine, but it’s the other corny rules like this that make current fans mad and don’t draw in anyone new
I agree. I can’t see any kid putting down their tik-tok and exclaiming “Ooooh! There’s a runner on first base! Let’s watch!”
@Manfraud
Was going to say similar. They need to fix the throw over issue.
The only time I really want quicker games is when it is a west coast game that doesn’t start until 10pm east on a work night.
the time clock thing is a joke, I hate it really. But it is working better than i thought it would. More time between batters is one thing that i think is a must. More time for replay and commentary.
If they really wanted the game to go faster.. cut the commercials between pitching changes and innings. haha
Lol, you have NO idea if I’m truly tough or not. But whatever. The comment was toward Rob idiot manfred, but you want to make it about you. Wife must not be giving you the attention you need apparently. They are ruining the game as it is, for the fans that they ALREADY have. A pinch runner because you have freddy fatz on your team isn’t a GOOD thing. Maybe you like watching pee wee baseball. I do not. Ghost runners and free pinch runners. Lose DH if your pitcher is shelled. Give me a break. Manfred is a moron. And I think maybe you are too there mr “athleticism is back”…Yes, they all of a sudden got MORE ATHLETIC over the offseason…. I think maybe its because the bases are bigger. But what do I know.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Is MLB trying to compete with The Savannah Bananas? The Savannah Bananas have sold out every game since 2016 so maybe that’s the goal?
The designated runner is very intriguing, for this baseball fan.
Being able to use a players speed in an advantageous scenario, is very appealing and like the DH, prolong careers.
Those who use this, as a way to view their biases are out of touch with the times.
As a baseball fan, I want to watch the best playing.
I Don’t care about the color of a person’s skin or whom they sleep with.
Neither should you!
What in the blue fk are you babbling about?
If all you can do is run, you don’t deserve a baseball career in the first place. Go join the Olympic track and field team!
If you used to be a good player, but your skills have declined to the point that all you can do is run, then you should be forced to retire.
More stupidity from Manfred’s laboratory.
An old saying goes something like “A camel is a horse designed by a committee.” All this Little League tinkering is unnecessary. I would scrap the runner on second in extra innings and no designated runner, ever. Increase throw overs to three instead of limiting to one. Keep the DH in the game, not tied to a starting pitcher. Other than that, I like the new rules that help the pace of play. I got really tired of guys like Jose Altuve (and scores of others) stepping out after every pitch to adjust everything on his body. Manfred is potentially going to turn this beautiful horse into a camel if he keeps at it.
Yeah, but there will be less water breaks.
Geez, when will these “geniuses” just stop with all this nonsense?
Thank goodness. The new rules this year have been great for the game. Keep it up, let’s keep moving the game forward, not playing like we are in the 1950s.
Lmao what a dumb rule. RIP Alejandro Kirk running the bases
Manfred and his band of stooges quest to ruin baseball rolls on. What a bunch of idiots
Wait a minute, I resemble that remark.
If Manfred worked with a Stooge, it would have been Curly Joe (he sucked)
So stupid. We’re not far away from blernsball rules at this point.
I don’t think you qualify as a baseball player if all you do is run the bases.
Look up Herb Washington, no plate appearances, 31 stolen bases and 33 runs scored
baseball-reference.com/players/w/washihe01.shtml
He also got picked off at critical times. He was not a baseball player.
Back when there were unlimited step offs and throws to bases. Pitchers don’t have that luxury today.
Herb Washington had a 30.8 ft per second sprint speed. Today’s fastest baseball players are around 30.0 to 30.6 ft per second. Bobby Witt Jr., Corbin Carroll, Trea Turner, Bubba Thomson, Jose Siri, Tim Locastro and a couple others. The fastest is around 30.6, so very close to Herb Washington. The fastest sprinters today are around 34 feet per second.
We’re headed toward slo-pitch softball, folks. We’ll have keggers on the sidelines soon.
I hear the designated runner rule will officially be called the “Vogelbach Directive”
Just one more step towards football rules. Offensive players that only bat, defensive players that only field (some old school two-way guys), special teams players (pinch runners), and a slew of pitchers that only throw a single inning at max effort. 60 man rosters, unlimited substitutions. The wild Wild West version of baseball.
Boras and the agents would object – owners no pay players who are no longer 5 tool players. carlos correas and his broken leg aint getting 30 mill per year. think of the upside, runner stands next to batters box and starts running on contact.
ryan howard approves.
but then the runner gets tossed for arguing a slide call, so does that batter.
The Double Hook rule is stupid.
So the Double Hook idea is that if your pitcher is bad enough for you to have to remove him early, you are punished by taking away a batter thereby making it more difficult to catch up? And what if your pitcher is injured? Should the team leave him in there in a close game so they don’t lose the DH?
Godawful idea. The bad thing is that every one of these ideas will be implemented in a couple years in the majors. Every test idea so far has been.
That’s one reason I prefer the original version of the double hook rule.
However, if the pitcher is injured, they’re obviously going to prioritize his health by taking him out when necessary and just lose the DH for the rest of the game.
I am not opposed to most of the recent rule changes but all of these seem unnecessary to. me.
More action on the basepaths is cool but it shouldn’t get so it overshadows everything else.
A designated pinch runner eh? Sounds like a bit of an overreaction to Stanton’s injury haha
or baez base running gaffs
I’m good with the rule changes they did this year, but this is a bit ridiculous.
The only way the designated runner makes sense ( now that pitchers aren’t hitting) is if it’s used for catchers as part of trying to speed up pace of play. saving everyone the time of him having to run back to the dug out and suit up before the inning starts, I kind of like the double hook idea. puts back in some of the strategy lost with the DH. the other rule is silly. I know we want more SBs in the game but if you ever watched Jon Lester pitch you know why this is a bad idea.
Where this is inevitably headed…
Platoon baseball, like platoon football. Offense, defense, special teams. Rosters will have 50-60 players. A whole bunch of Nelson Cruz/David Ortiz types (offense), a whole bunch of Rafael Belliard/Harrison Bader types (defense), and a few Herb Washington/Billy Hamilton types (pinch runners). More MLB jobs. The MLBPA will EAT THIS UP!
Heaven help us.
As an opponent of the DH, I like the double-hook idea though I’d rather see them just eliminate the DH and go back to players playing both offense and defense.
This is absurd. My son plays in college, NCAA, and they played a non-conference game at an NAIA school. When they used the pinch runner and the subbed-out player came back in the game, we were like WTF is going on. I though little league rules ended at little league.
So apparently now, if you can’t field, throw or run, but can hit, you’re a MLB player.
Well if you can just run, that might work. The A’s tried that with Herb Washington, a track star I believe.
I was a ‘designated runner’ in college damned near 50 years ago. We informally called it being ‘the rabbit’. I stole a ton of bases. I had damned near zero at-bats. Hated it, but as a lousy hitter, I guess it was my only chance to play at all.
And I never saw my ‘stat sheet’. We weren’t concerned with analytics back then. Thank God.
That just means you were a fake player who didn’t actually deserve the benefits of being on the team.
If you’re only physical talent is running, there’s already a sport for you anyway: track and field.
Not sure who you’re addressing.
I was never a fake anything.
If the coach of a junior college baseball team thought I deserved to be on the team, I deserved to be on the team. I was a very good defensive outfielder, a passable infielder, a good bunter, and a very good base runner.
I did indeed run track and field.
Back when they still used yards, not meters. That oughta date me.
If you were also a good defensive replacement, you should’ve said so instead of just calling yourself a designated runner. On a college team playing without a designated runner rule, you may have still been worth a roster spot despite your inability to hit (although it doesn’t fly in the Big Leagues as Billy Hamilton has found out).
Still, your college league never should used such a stupid rule as the designated runner in the first place, while anyone in that league who was only a good runner was indeed nothing more than a fake player who should be ashamed they were ever considered college baseball players.
“If you were also a good defensive replacement, you should’ve said so instead of just calling yourself a designated runner.”
**************””””””””””
What’s your problem? Now you’re telling me what I should or shouldn’t say? I don’t answer to you. Good grief. I’m having a convo about baseball and you’re calling me a ‘fake’ player, then telling me what I should and should not say? I’ll say this… You’re a rude, pathetic little punk. I’m done with you. Get lost.
Does the pinch runner have to be human? Because I could totally see a trained rabbit stealing two or three bases at a time. 😉
Thank you!
Somewhere Billy Hamilton just fist-pumped.
I am a fan of most of the rules being implemented – pitch clock, banning shifts, limiting mound changes and pitching changes, universal DH… even the extra innings baserunner (in the regular season)… but these rules here are nonsense lol.
This also would affect Arb as Counting Stats help to increase the amount given the Player. This creates One less Stat that can help a Player get Paid more.
RUNS SCORED becomes a Meaningless Statistic Too
Player Hits 50 HRs and 60Runs Scored even though he also hit 35 Doubles
This whole process of trying to get games to be shortened is more of a commentary on society and a weakness of MLB to cater to people with short attention spans and the ‘change is inevitable’ crowd. At some point, ‘new’ fans will just advocate for all games to be 7 innings or have only 3 balls for a walk or 2 strikes for a strikeout or some other such nonsense. Baseball, like society, is being ruined by people who are too focused on technology and instant gratification.
Oh, and get off my lawn!
Designated pinch runner? I could be sold, especially for the catcher with one or more than one out. Let him get his gear back on and ready to go at the end of the inning.
Single disengagement per at-bat? Too much the current two is fine.
Double Hook DH? No. Either have the DH or don’t have the DH. Why do we care how teams use their available pitchers?
The MLB is going about attracting new fans all wrong. People who don’t like baseball aren’t going to magically start watching it because of a rule change.
The first thing that MLB should do is start youth teams in these inner cities where baseball isn’t relevant. Provide free equipment to the kids. Most of these kids end up player basketball or football because theres no money that really needs to be spent on equipment. Bats, helments, cleats, uniform, baseballs, its a lot for these families to afford. Not to mention that baseball is difficult to practice a lone unless you enjoy hitting off a Tee all day.
Baseball can learn a lot from the NBA in terms of marketing the players, not just the teams. Mlb’s problem is that one player isn’t going to change the whole team like the NBA does. Season narratives work for the NBA, try them out with baseball. MLB should also give money to some shows like First Take and Undisputed to talk about baseball more, they maybe talk about baseball once a month. These shows create narratives, tons of people watch them nationally. All they talk about is basketball and football, which makes those sports bigger and grows the fans. Also making baseball more accessable to the average fan, such as if i live in NY, why can’t I watch a Tigers Royals game without having to spend tons of money on MLB pass? No one whos barely a fan of baseball is going to buy that.
My last point would be to lower the prices of the food and beverages at the stadiums. What normal person is going to spend $8 on a hotdog? (CitiField). I just bring my own food to the game. I know you gotta overpay these players somehow, but these food prices are insane
Well, the majority of stadiums don’t allow you to bring your own food in, and even the ones that do don’t allow you to bring in alcohol, so the fans are essentially forced to pay those prices if they want anything to eat or drink during the game. It’s then only natural that the teams make the concession prices that high and make more money.
Besides, all the major pro leagues do the same thing. If anything, baseball has more teams than usual that do allow you to bring in your own food.
@Lanidrac if the stadium says no outside food, the security normally lets you take it inside anyway
Apparently soon little league will be the only true Baseball left in this country.
Why not just go to NHL/NBA rules and swap out players in the middle of games so they can “rest” and then swap them back in later…
I gave up attendance at MLB games. They’ve priced the average family out of existence. I’ll watch MiLB whenever I can. Better, cheaper seats, and the players haven’t learned to pimp home runs into off-the-wall singles yet.
There are still plenty of games where you can get reasonably priced tickets (even after ticket fees) as long you don’t go on the weekends and are willing to sit in the nosebleed sections. The average family can still go as long as they make those concessions and don’t spend too much on the concessions, which isn’t that bad of a sacrifice to make.
Where do they come up with this crap? What’s next.? Oh, I know. I was at my grandson’s little league game last Sunday. The catcher got a hit and they sent a player to run for him so he could get back to the dugout to put on the catching gear. Please don’t let an executive from MLB go to any Little League games.
Most true baseball fans grew to love the game as players, as kids. I would submit that if kids played with all these ridiculous rules, they’d be alienated early on, and hate baseball by the time they were ten years old.
I vehemently disagree with the notion that the need for strong starting pitching has waned. There aren’t enough major league quality relievers in the league to have bullpens pitching for innings a night. I’m not sure what the answer is, but five and fly is not the answer to the increase in hitter’s advantage the third time through the lineup. 5ip, 2er is not better than 6ip, 3r. While it is a better ERA, bullpens can’t pitch for innings night.
Next thing you know, they’re going to try and use a tranny to sell beer!
I vehemently disagree with the notion that the need for strong starting pitching has waned. There aren’t enough major league quality relievers in the league to have bullpens pitching four innings a night. I’m not sure what the answer is, but five and fly is not the answer to the increase in hitter’s advantage the third time through the lineup. 5ip, 2er is not better than 6ip, 3r. While it is a better ERA, bullpens can’t pitch four innings night.
Here’s a novel idea…
Nine guys a side.
All of them play the field.
All of them hit.
Who’s onboard?
we’re gonna need a much larger roster at this rate… 80 man roster… 20 who can hit, 20 who can run, 20 who can field and 20 who can pitch.
Do the ball boys and girls get a designated sitter?
If they’re gonna do all this they need to lighten up on the Balk rule
“and the short order cook lays down the burger. Oh, what a spat. That’s good grillin right there folks. Well, it’s late in the cooking, time to turn the spatula over to the designate burger flipper. And it’s up, over, flipped. What a turn, folks. These new designated flippers are really do the job. Really bringin in the new customers.
Oh, what’s this??? The store manager has called in the designate ketchup slinger! This is going to be exciting.!!! Let’s see that in slo=mo folks. No dought about it, this will be on the highlight reals tonight, folk!
I really like the idea of the double hook, as it brings back all the advantages of late game strategy used when there’s no DH, yet the pitchers don’t actually bat (save the strategic choice of using a good hitting starter as a pinch-hitter to help preserve your bench), since you still get the DH while the starter is in the game, while you’d simply use pinch-hitters or double-switches rather than let your relief pitchers hit, anyway.
It also introduces the idea of extra strategy on where to hit the DH in the lineup if you have a good one, as you’d generally want one of your better hitters somewhat higher in the lineup, but if it might initially turn into the pitcher’s spot starting around halfway through the game or so, it might be a better idea not to have the pitcher’s spot wind up right before or after your other best hitters.
I don’t know if you should get to keep your DH for the whole game as a reward for a 5 IP start, as that again takes away from the late game strategy aside from the rare times the starter actually pitches a complete game. I’d be amenable to this variation if it means we get the double hook rule adopted in the Majors, though.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP
This was written by my designated pinch commenter. I will return to the site on a later thread.
I like the proposed changes to the Dumb Hitter Rule because it’s 1 step closer to ELIMINATING the IDIOTIC Dumb Hitter.
I OPPOSE the Pinch Runner & the lowering of how many times a Pitcher can disengage the Rubber when they need to increase how many disengagements to give the Defense an equal opportunity since they shortened the distance between the bases by inches with the larger bags & the moving of 2B closer to the plate.
Rob Manfraud & his administration needs to go immediately if not sooner
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Charlie Finley, owner of the A’s back in the day, stumped for the DPR all the way back in the 1970’s. Not a new idea…. Not a good one either.
We’ll have to agree to disagree on that. I should have to ‘sacrifice’ to watch guys making tens of millions? I should tell my kids to pass up hot dogs because they’re $12?
Nope. Hard pass.
Not saying that goes for everyone. Just for me.
That ridiculous Double hook rule isn’t about strategy or forcing pitchers to have to make it through 5 innings. Most people, including the writer of the article, missed the point. This is about suppressing the salary of players by diminishing the DH. Owners are cheap and they are fooling everyone into thinking something else about this. Idiots like Jayson Stark, who loves thus, don’t see the reality.
Actually it’s more about trying to keep Traditional Baseball Fans who prefer the Traditional Game instead of the Video Game they are trying to turn the game into.
MLB is scared that they are driving millions of fans away with all these changes & if they’re not scared then they should be
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