New MLB Commish: End the shift

Maybe Verducci will call him and pitch that whole Bonus At-Bat rule again, if he's this into spitballing dumb ideas.

 

Basketball, as a game, is not better than 25 years ago.

The players' skills and athleticism have improved, but the game itself has degenerated.

As far as outlawing the shift is concerned, putting pitchers on a strict time limit would probably be a good counterbalance to the shift. Put a clock on the scoreboard. Deliver the pitch in 20 seconds or it's a ball.

 

I think he's looking for another runner in the night.

But methinks the calliope crashed to the ground.

 

On the bright side, Manfred can get nothing but smarter in his tenure.

 

Good point OT. Nowhere to go but up for Manfred.

 

Nah, he till has plenty of time to fuck up something else.

 

Rob Manfred's "Plan B" if he can't get rid of the shift:

 

I'm all in favor of bringing back stinging and soaking.

 

I think that the commish is just trolling to get some baseball discussion going in a week mostly dominated
by The NFL talk

 

This is the same analogy that popped in my head. This idea reminds me of the dumb illegal defense rules the NBA used to have, in the sense of requiring defenders to play in strategically stupid spots just to encourage offensive production. Was a terrible idea in basketball, and here as well.

 

Plus, if the new commish got his way, most of the league would be a bunch of shiftless...

...honkies.

 

I agree. Sort of. I think there is no chance of banning the shift (too much of a can of worms to open) and I think Manfred knows it. I think he's just trying to say "Hey, I realize the game isn't perfect and I'm open to discussing any way to make it better. No sacred cows."