The 2020 baseball season is truly like no other, for a plethora of reasons. But one difference that we noticed after witnessing five Subway Series games in the span of three days was that during doubleheader games, only 7 innings will be played rather than the entire 9 innings.

Obviously, this makes a difference for a lot of reasons. In some ways, it can be beneficial. But in other ways, it can definitely have the opposite effect.

Where do we stand when it comes to 7 innings?

Dilip Sridhar 

The 7 inning rule is fine given the circumstances. Teams need to make up an insane number of games in just 2 months this season. Hopefully this won’t be the case in 2021.

Jack Ramsey

I think 7 inning double headers are a lot of fun to watch, and increase interest in the game. New ideas always bring about interest, but the 7 inning double headers make for a fun new twist. I hope MLB can find a way to use 7 inning double headers in the future, and maybe shorten up the season’s timeline and start the playoffs sooner.

Mojo Hill 

Sorry, but I’m not a fan of changing baseball, and especially not a fan of there being less baseball. I like baseball, so the more baseball the better in my eyes. I can live with seven-inning doubleheaders for this weird season and in the minor leagues but I really hope we go back to normal next year, because frankly I’m tired of people constantly trying to change the game. I wish Manfred put as much energy into embracing and loving the game of baseball as he does trying to change it.

Sam Brown 

I have seen a lot of debate around having seven inning games going forward, and I, for one, am not a fan. I know that this would solve baseball’s “issue” of games being too long but I am a traditionalist and a creature of habit. I like baseball how it is, and fell in love with the sport for a reason.

Shortening the game would mean we get to watch less baseball and I always want more baseball! Considering the 8th and 9th innings are the worst innings for the Mets about 90 percent of the time, I get why a Mets fan would be excited about it, but I don’t want baseball to change anymore than it already has. Seven-inning double headers makes sense for this COVID-shortened season, but going forward I want 9 inning baseball.

What would be the point of the 7th-inning stretch if the next half inning could be the end of the game? Or we wouldn’t get to hear Billy Joel’s piano man at Citi Field during the 8th inning because games would end after 7 innings. Pitchers go seven innings all the time, now this completely changes iconic pitching accomplishments like the no-hitter, or complete game.

Rich Sparago 

When the 2020 season began. I thought the concept of seven-inning games in doubleheaders was silly. I mean, come on. What is this, the minor leagues? But you know what, the shorter games have their merits. Every inning seems more intense. And, seven inning games get to one major point-baseball games are just too long. Baseball has to think about its future. Four hour games are not going to cut it, folks. We all know that in an average game, the ball is actually in play for seven minutes.

The amount of action is a four-hour game does not hold the attention of the next generation of baseball fans. If you don’t think so, ask 100 of them. I would guarantee 90 will tell you the game is too long and there’s not enough action. Baseball has to appeal to its customers, and those who will be customers in the future. Of course, seven-inning games will never happen. Baseball is steeped in tradition, and all the record would be impacted. But if it were possible, yes, 100% sign me up for seven-inning games.

Marshall Field 

For an old-fashioned fan like myself, I do not care for the seventh inning rule. It certainly better than the free runner in extras, but nonetheless, I am opposed. But I understand during this truncated, shortened season, it is best to ensure the playing of all 60 games and help ensure the safety of all players involved. So for this, and hopefully only this season, I can deal with it.

Remember, if it extends beyond this year, what are we going to do with stat keeping? Over 100 years of nine-inning doubleheaders only to be watered down? The purist, and the young fan as well, should not stand for it. The game without a clock, is special for a lot of reasons. Our Commissioner seems bent on changing this. Hopefully enough fans of the game will convince Manfred to leave the game alone and return things back to normal in the spring of 2021.

Michelle Ioannou 

I will admit that I am purist when it comes to baseball. Whereas I can understand why shortening doubleheader games can come in handy both in terms of pace of play and to be less taxing on the players, I am not for it. I want to watch a traditional nine-inning game.