what would you change in baseball? (stance, umpire, golf, hockey)

[sailordave]

First, a confession. I haven't watched a MLB game in many years. Just too slow, long, and boring. Below is based upon the last time I watched so forgive me if some of these things may have already been changed since last I watched.

1. time limit at the plate. I grew sick and tired of the batter stepping into the box, and then stepping out of the box repeatedly.
2. For pete's sake, let's see players hustle on and off the field for inning changes.
3. No gum or tobacco during the game.
4. Put a limit on the number of times they can have a meeting at the mound and a time limit on the meeting.
5. start making ticket prices more affordable. At one time the family could afford to go to the games. Now a family is lucky to afford tickets to one game a year.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by sailordave

First, a confession. I haven't watched a MLB game in many years. Just too slow, long, and boring. Below is based upon the last time I watched so forgive me if some of these things may have already been changed since last I watched.

1. time limit at the plate. I grew sick and tired of the batter stepping into the box, and then stepping out of the box repeatedly.
2. For pete's sake, let's see players hustle on and off the field for inning changes.
3. No gum or tobacco during the game.
4. Put a limit on the number of times they can have a meeting at the mound and a time limit on the meeting.
5. start making ticket prices more affordable. At one time the family could afford to go to the games. Now a family is lucky to afford tickets to one game a year.

Number 4 BIG TIME! What could a catcher possibly have to say to the pitcher when there's two outs, no one on base and two strikes on the batter?? There is no reason a nine-inning game should exceed two and a half hours, at most. Television is just as at fault, with the constant commercials and mindless interviews between innings. And why the big production over the seventh inning stretch?

I don't really care what the players put in their mouths but we don't need close ups of the players spitting out tobacco juice, sunflower seeds, etc.

[go phillies]

A salary cap, get rid of the DH, and lower ticket prices.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by go phillies

A salary cap, get rid of the DH, and lower ticket prices.

Amen.

[Speedaddicted]

Salary cap but also a salary minimum. For every Stienbrenner there is a team like the marlins or royals that doesnt spend period. So they need a minimum and a max. At least give fans of these cities with small market owners ( notice i didnt say small market teams) a fighting chance.

Also get rid of these late world series games. Its horrible that a 10 year old cant watch baseball because the games last till past 11pm sometimes past midnight.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by sailordave

1. time limit at the plate. I grew sick and tired of the batter stepping into the box, and then stepping out of the box repeatedly.

That's actually easy to change. Batters step in and out of the box because the umpire at home plate allows it. The ump could put a stop to that in a matter of seconds. It's a progression: MLB tells its umpires not to allow the Batters Box Ballet...the umpires enforce the decision...and voila! Let the game go on.

[Speedaddicted]

Plate ump did it to Posada last night actually. Cliff Lee was in his wind up and Posada asked for time to step out. The ump deemed it was too late. Posada was caught in between stepping out and being in and Lee delivered a called strike. It was actually pretty refreshing to see.

All these hitters and there little rituals between swings is ridiculous.

[dspguy]

Watching kids play little league is more exciting. There is more action. The kids don't step out of the batter box after every pitch, retighten their batting gloves, spit in a semi circle around the plate, fix their cup, look up to the heavens for divine help swinging the bat... /yawn

Sure, players have their routines. That can change awfully quick if the rules were changed.

It worked in hockey. Under most circumstances, the puck is dropped within 15-20 seconds of a play stoppage. Umpires should be moving these games along. Call balks if the pitcher doesn't make a move to home plate within X seconds. Limit X timeouts per game, or 1 timeout per inning...

Don't add any more instant replay. Yes, umpires make mistakes, but replay + baseball just doesn't work.

These things will never happen. The only way we'd see any of this is if a new baseball league were formed and that just won't be happening.

On a sidenote, I remember playing baseball in gym class. Most fun way to play baseball that I can recall. One strike, you are out. Foul ball, out. Game moves pretty damn quick. Not recommending this for professional play, but for leisurely played baseball... good times.

[lititzman2003]

Golfers have been fined for slow play. Football teams are penalized for delay of game. Every other sport has to function with some kind of time restrictions so why not baseball?

My main gripe is the conferences on the mound. It seems over the top in this World Series.

[Orangeish]

Move the outfield walls back. I want more triples and less HRs.