20
2013
A Few Changes MLB Can Implement To Improve The National Pastime
An article by 
The NFL is contemplating a rule where running backs can’t duck their heads when outside the tackle box. Like the rule or not, unlike baseball, football is proactive when it comes to rule changes and adjustments in the game.
It isn’t as if Major League Baseball has to appeal to the Supreme Court for changes. Some could be negotiated through the Collective Bargaining Agreement, where others are common sense.
Here are some changes that could be made to improve the quality of play, and yes maybe a few are tongue in cheek:
INSTANT REPLAY: Expansion is being considered and rightly so. If they have replay, do it right. Nobody expects it on balls and strikes, although the TV pitch tracker box shows a lot of mistakes. Unlike football and basketball, where action occurs all over the field, much of baseball’s action happens at fixed locations, such as the bases, foul lines and outfield wall. Cameras can easily be focused on those key spots. There are out and safe calls on the bases, as well as fair and foul, that could be overturned with a minimum of time. It would take a fifth umpire located in the press box with monitors. Should take no more than a couple of minutes to get it right, and MLB has the money for the extra umpire.
THE UMPIRES: There is an adversarial relationship between players/managers and umpires. Too many umpires have a short fuse and eject at the slightest debate. So, put a microphone on them they can’t control to record arguments. Not only will it show umpires sometimes being in the wrong, but it also can be taped and sold for extra marketing bucks. Who wouldn’t want a DVD of greatest umpire-manager fights?
SCHEDULING: The scheduling is a mess that creates problems. For example, why are the San Diego Padres opening the season at Citi Field? The weather is ugly in April, so the first month should be mostly within the division so games can be made up easier. If the Padres-Mets game is bagged, it will be hard searching for a make-up date. Why put the Padres, or any team, in position of crossing three time zones to make up a game? Just makes no sense.
THE GETAWAY GAME: The last game in any series, if not followed by an off day, should be in the afternoon. As it is, teams don’t get into the next city until 3 or 4 in the morning, and players are exhausted for the next game. Players can be seen in the clubhouse before the first game of a series guzzling coffee and Red Bull. The quality of play suffers when the players are tired, so why not put them in the best position to succeed? Alert players give the fans a better product. Also, it provides teams at least another couple of day games in a month and what’s not to like about day baseball?
THE DAY-NIGHT DOUBLEHEADER: If MLB insists on interleague play and the unbalanced schedule, there will continue to be 19 games a year against teams in the division. Familiarity does breed contempt, so perhaps this contributes to an attendance fall-off at the end of a season. If a day-night doubleheader were scheduled once or twice a month (at home and the road), it would clear 12 days, which could be used for extra off-days and make-up games. I’ve spoken to many players who would rather have the doubleheader if it meant another off day. This format could schedule shorten the season by up to a week and start the playoffs earlier. Anything to alleviate November baseball. I know they’ll never go for the traditional doubleheader because of not wanting to give up the gate, but this is feasible.
BODY ARMOR: This padding on the elbow has to go. If you’re protecting an injury, fine, but players are taking advantage of the padding and therefore don’t fear the inside pitch. Not fair. Barry Bonds spend the last four or five years of his career not having to worry about being plunked.
PITCHER SHIELD: Can’t a light helmet with a face shield for pitchers be designed to protect them from line drives to the head and face? They made helmets mandatory for base coaches after a coach was killed after being struck in the head. Does somebody else have to be seriously injured or killed before something is done?
SUSPENSIONS: When a player is suspended for throwing at a hitter or using a corked bat, his penalty should come against the team he was playing against at the time. Just seems a fairer way. And, why does the player usually have to wait until the next time his team plays in New York before an appeal? There’s teleconferencing and conference calls, so what’s the big deal?
There are countless of other possible changes, but these are a few that have been rattling in my mind. I’d like to hear if you have others.
About the Author: John Delcos
I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.0 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 6.5 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
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You might even speed up the instant reply option (and not require a 5th umpire) by installing the cameras pointed at fixed locations with a direct feed to a HD “ipad” device the home plate umpire can carry on his person, strapped to his lower back or something. Some of these pads have incredible definition and plenty of screen space.
I think if they want to protect the players they should create a slide box for 2B to stop a runner from sliding off the base into the Fielder and a slide box at Home that says you MUST slide when you get into that box (perhaps just the RHH Batters Box) as opposed to barreling into the catcher!
Some would say it takes away from the game but any attempt to protect players will do that!
being able to steamroll the catcher always seemed a bit odd. You can’t do that anywhere else on the field. I know he has some padding, but that is designed to protect from getting hit with the ball, not a 200# guy running full speed into you, shoulder first!
For the foul balls they can use something like tennis uses for line calls. For the pitchers what about a modified hockey helment.
I like the idea for the supension to be against the team they were playing to a degree. Also what pitchers. If it is a starting pitcher they should miss a number of starts not just number of games. because for a starting pitcher it most times works out to be one game. for a five games SUSPENSION. so what effect does that have on a pitchers should me min of 2-3 starts.
Eliminate the intentional walk, as no longer throwing pitches but when a team elects to walk a batter, batter comes to the plate, catcher informs the homeplate ump, batter is awarded the base without a pitch.
I’ve heard that suggested for a long time. It would speed the game up a little.
Absolutely correct to speed up the game. Also have the umpires speed up the pitcher. I have seen pitchers shake off four or five pitchers and in frustration the catcher yells time out and they have a conference on the mound. Then the ump comes out and breaks them up and then the next pitch the pitching coach comes out. Solution: One visit to the mound per inning unless there is a pitching change, After two shake offs by the pitcher, it is considered the same as a balk and STOP the crap about walking off the mound playing with your cap, blowing on your hands and taking a sightseeing tour. Enough of these delays which are nothing more than head games between the pitcher, ump and the batter.
High John L.,
But how often have we’ve seen a catcher or mess up the intentional walk by not being on the same wavelength with the pitch or it being thrown wildly, or just passed by the catcher? I’ve seen it happen a few times and come close to happening a lot more often.
What I don’t like is the infield fly rule as it now stands. It’s a cheap out which does not require the fielder to catch it. I know it’s intent – protect the base runner and I agree that is needed. So why not require it that the infielder MUST catch the pop-up and IF he drops it, then everyone advances a base?
Yes, take a look at how often batters step out of the box. Look at the replays of (for example) any 1969 Met game from the world series. The batters stay in the box and get themselves set for the next pitch.
The games are longer in the american league due to the designated hitter that they are in the national league.
Not are you on to something here but I saw a pitcher really injure himself when he was about to deliever and all of a sudden the ump is stopping the play due to a batter calling time out at the last second. The pitcher tried to stop and was injured due to his momentum goin g forward.The ump shouldn’t allow it and the pitch shopuld be allowed.
Technically, umpires can already enforce a time limit on that and the time between pitches.
Another thing they should look into is checking the runner 8 times every at bat. Are you really that worried Prince Fielder is going to try stealing?
John,
Excellent points, especially the body armor. Simple rule – none allowed, injury or not. If you’re too hurt to get in there without it, don’t play. Pitcher facial protection is interesting but difficult…if someone came up with something it should be used for batters as well.
“If you’re too hurt to get in there without it, don’t play.”
You know why that won’t work.
I’d say just put some limits on what they can wear.
Protecting the pitcher is a tough one. Pitchers that are really good athletes like a Gregg Maddox finished their pitches in an excellent fielding position and were in a much better position to protect themselves from line drives, John Smoltz was another excellent fielder. If a pitcher finishes not in a fielding position there is a much greater chance of injury.
John, I’m with you on the scheduling. Especially with this North East weather.
But, you’ll never get your get away day and scheduled double headers.
and I think putting a mic on umps would just disillusion some people.
all these day games is not going to happen, for the simple answer of what runs the game.
Money.
if it means to expect lower attendance and smaller TV audience, it ain’t happening.
I do like the idea of getting rid of body armor. Some of that (like Bonds) got way over the top, and let them lean over the plate and into pitches with impunity.
If you want to take a hit for a free base, you need the stitch marks to prove it.
Pitchers are wearing jell padding in their hats this year, doesnt seem like much but it absorbs significant amout of the impact.
I wonder how that would have worked for John Pacella or Nino Espinosa?
Instant replay. Current reviews should be done in the booth by a 5th umpire using home team replay. We all know theses are good enough and then sent to home plate ump via voice hookup. No more umps disappearing into the dugout. Instead of arguing calls which never get changed, each team can get so many challenges during a game (ie: 3). These reviews can be done in less time than the arguments take and be for anything other than ball/strikes. Might speed up the game, but will get more calls right. The Mets would still be looking for their 1st No No!
“PITCHER SHIELD: Can’t a light helmet with a face shield for pitchers be designed to protect them from line drives to the head and face? They made helmets mandatory for base coaches after a coach was killed after being struck in the head. Does somebody else have to be seriously injured or killed before something is done?”
Like this?
http://www.swgsoftball.com/images/GamefacePic.jpg
I had never seen them either until I saw the pitcher and 3B of my HS softball team wearing them last night.
Well, good for your HS but somehow I can’t see the ML pitchers liking this at all.
As hot as it is most times pitching thru the summer, they’d probably need to add 30 minutes to game time for every time the pitcher takes that off to wipe the sweat off his face.
can you imagine Pelf with one of those?
I can understand a helmet of some sort but I don’t see a face mask really helping….
At the speed the ball is going it’s kind of like saying a shield will protect you from a car going 100 MPH….
It’s not really going to help and truth is it could lead to broken noses being driven into your brain which is fatal!
A Helmut to protect the head from a batted ball should be more then enough protection…
1 – lighten up the suspensions for fighting, a lil fire never hurt anybody ( too much )
2 – tell the broadcasters to stop complaining about the celebrations on the field, this isnt 1974, we like to celebrate…all the time…even if its the 1st inning
3 – Cheerleaders, preferably the ones from the Dominican Winter League
thats all
as you were
- Capitan Capicu
Excellent article John, and I agree with most of what you propose. I especially like the idea of miking the umps! It might provide for some great entertainment as well as encourage more respect on the part of the umps. They would then be allowed to mute it only if something highly personal or confidential were being discussed.
As for scheduling, they should implement the changes only if a team needs to fly East and there is more than 1 time zone change. If a team flies West, then there is not as much need for those afternoon games.
As for suspensions, I think the rule as is now should stand. What if a player gets suspended for something that happened in the last game of a 3-game series and his team won’t be facing the opposition until months later or maybe not even till the following year? Is it really a good thing to wait that long for the suspension to occur?
Here’s what else I’d like to see:
1. Even stricter luxury taxes to even out the playing field even more and prevent the Dodgers from doing what they are doing
2. Expanded rosters to add 1 or 2 extra players to the active roster. This could help save the bullpen and cut down on pitchers’ injuries.
3. Expanded PEDs testing and stricter penalties.
4. More uniform outfield dimensions — at least with minimum RF, LF and CF dimensions. Teams could still make their dimensions extra large if they wanted to, but I would like there to at least be minimum dimensions. I know this would never happen in a million years, but I nevertheless think it’s a good idea.
5. Shorter DL stints — not just for concussions. This would encourage more players to report nagging injuries.
Many knock Selig but at least he’s been a commissioner who embraces change. So it’s not out of the question that many of these changes might at least be discussed.
I believe the new CBA addresses the getaway game issue …
(9) Getaway games shall not be scheduled or rescheduled to start
later than 5 P.M. if either Club is required to travel for a day game,
scheduled the next day, between cities in which the in-flight time is more than 11/2 hours. In each season, the championship season
schedule may contain six exceptions to the rule in the immediately
preceding sentence provided that the traveling Club is traveling
to Chicago to play the Cubs and the in-flight time does not exceed
21/2 hours.
The intentional walk should be eliminated. It’s outdated and robs the fans of seeing a bigtime hitter face a bigtime pitcher in a clutch at bat scenario.