MLB discussing new 9th inning batting rule

[b1slickguy]

From Sports Illustrated.

According to Rich Eisen, one MLB exec recently told him that there is a rule being discussed by some in the game that would basically cause a riot. It goes like this: In the 9th inning only, the manager of the trailing team would be allowed to send up any three players he wants for the first three at-bats of the inning. It doesn't matter where a team is in the batting order during the game. The skipper can send up anyone he wants in any order for the first three at-bats in the 9th.

[magaman]

That is ridiculous... no chance

[trytrytry]

and then they pass out from the drinks they are tasting?

[The Giant]

That can't be real, can it?

[b1slickguy]

That can't be real, can it?

I read it on CBS sports and a few other sites, too.
A rule change like this would really diminish the integrity of the game, IMO.

[MickeyMan]

Well that will never happen

[bigbubbafade]

Just the thought of this offends me.

[reigle9]

this is like the time i googled the cnn article about it being good to be a cuck to see if it was real

yes, both times

[slayer14]

This will cause the players to go on strike lol

[19th Hole]

Never happen.

I seriously do not understand all of the whining concerning the length of an MLB game.
If you cannot sit through a 3 hour ball game then for Pete's sake leave early.
Stop trying to improve the perfect game.

[The Giant]

Baseball's history is based on statistics. If you give all the great hitters an extra at-bat, that would skew the record books. So, I don't think it can be done.

I find the idea kind of intriguing though.

[slayer14]

Why not just allow a DH in national league if they want to make it more entertaining

[magaman]

Baseball's history is based on statistics. If you give all the great hitters an extra at-bat, that would skew the record books. So, I don't think it can be done.

I find the idea kind of intriguing though.

Intriguing? Why? You want to give an advantage to the losing team? Let's allow them to field 10 players and get 4 outs at bat. Would that not be even more intriguing?

[lakerboy]

Why does baseball want to change so bad? It's a boring summer game that we all love in the playoffs.

Play 3-4 hours.

[eidolon]

I'd rather see them legalize all drugs/steroids used by the players before this dumbass idea.

[jjgold]

Never will happen making a joke of baseball

[The Giant]

Intriguing? Why? You want to give an advantage to the losing team? Let's allow them to field 10 players and get 4 outs at bat. Would that not be even more intriguing?

There is nothing wrong with tweaking rules occasionally.

You probably felt the wildcard was a bad idea.

[eidolon]

There is nothing wrong with tweaking rules occasionally.

You probably felt the wildcard was a bad idea.

I like the wildcard idea. But I think there should be a tweak to it, that there only be a wildcard game if the 4th and 5th ranked teams records are within 3 games of each other. I think it would be ridiculous for a team that is 86-76 play against a team with a record of 104-58 in a 1 game series.

[Bostongambler]

Ya and the pitcher has to pitch with his opposite arm.

[magaman]

I don't like the wildcard game at all. Of course it is great drama for fans, but if you played for a better record through 162 games that spot should be yours.

[The Giant]

I like the wildcard idea. But I think there should be a tweak to it, that there only be a wildcard game if the 4th and 5th ranked teams records are within 3 games of each other. I think it would be ridiculous for a team that is 86-76 play against a team with a record of 104-58 in a 1 game series.

I was actually referring to the initial wildcard, that they started back in the 90s, I think. Back then only two teams got in from each league. I think it's better now. The one game playoff is pretty intense, your idea is intriguing.

[MoneyLineDawg]

Can’t be serious

[Sam Losco]

this sounds like a rule they would put in your local slo-pitch league for teams that are down 5 or more entering the final inning

[TheMoneyShot]

This reminds me of the NHL how it changed things around.... made it more exciting.

I agree with The Giant... I'm intrigued by this. Exciting for the viewer.... but deflating for the team in the lead.

[MickeyMan]

Ya and the pitcher has to pitch with his opposite arm.

Pat Venditte just became the highest paid reliever

[The Giant]

This reminds me of the NHL how it changed things around.... made it more exciting.
I agree with The Giant... I'm intrigued by this. Exciting for the viewer.... but deflating for the team in the lead.

I'll bet the MLB closers would love this rule.

Imagine the pay increase they would be getting. Their value would be at an all-time high.

[Kermit]

This sounds like something that I would read about on April 1st.

[BestBoyMike]

No way this rule ever gets passed!

[dlowilly]

You can't change a 180 year old game this drastically

Insulting

[Mr KLC]

A team works their tail off to get the lead in the 9th inning just to give the trailing team an advantage? Why don't we just give all 30 teams a participation trophy instead of having the playoffs while we're at it.

[El Nino]

Heard Eisen chatting about this...will never happen. MLB should do something once a game reaches the 12th inning though. Nobody wants to watch a game go past that. Pitchers are zapped, bench is empty. Put a runner on 2nd to start.

[eidolon]

Heard Eisen chatting about this...will never happen. MLB should do something once a game reaches the 12th inning though. Nobody wants to watch a game go past that. Pitchers are zapped, bench is empty. Put a runner on 2nd to start.

I wouldn't mind the game being called a tie after 9 innings during the season.
But extra innings are definitely needed for the playoffs; and could probably extend it to September 1st of the regular season where the teams go from 25 man roster to 40.

[floridagolfer]

There is nothing wrong with tweaking rules occasionally.

You probably felt the wildcard was a bad idea.

It is.

[Rich Boy]

Not sure why everyone is hating on this rule change.

Every other sport has some kind of "option" for teams trailing late in the game to have a chance

NHL - extra attacker with goalie pull
NBA - intentionally fouling to save time
NFL - time outs, out of bounds plays, 2 min warning, clock spiking etc.

Baseball has nothing of that sort, if you are losing in the 9th the game is exactly the same outside of pinch hitters/runners

The rule change doesn't inherently give any team an advantage, it just makes games more exciting and teams a chance.

And if you think about it, the defending team can have any arrangement of players they want including pitching to close out games, why not the offense?

Seriously who the fck wants to see 7-8-9 hitters in the bottom of the 9th to close out a game?

[The Giant]

Rich Boy, good post.