Biggest issue is pitchers are just way better, there have been big advances in recent years on how to get pitchers to throw harder, increase spin rate, etc. and there hasn't been a similar advance for hitters. Hitters already had a big step forward during the steroid era when they figured out lifting weights and improving bat speed would lead to harder hit balls and thus more hits and specifically more extra base hits. Pitchers obviously took steroids too but being able to throw harder requires a specialized training program that wasn't really around 25 years ago.

Men's golf has had a similar development in recent years, where technological advances in the ball and clubs and advances in player training have resulted in every single young player who comes out on tour being able to hit the ball ridiculous distances. Previous eras of golf saw wide variety in the style of top players, now everyone just tries to bash it as far as possible because that's the best way to score on most courses. On many classic courses, guys now bomb the ball over all the trouble and reduce holes to pitch and putt.

There's a very easy solution in golf though, which is to roll back the equipment. In baseball, I don't see how you can make the pitchers worse. Deadening the ball would stop hitters from all being three true outcome guys, but you'd end up reducing offense even further, and the hit and run still wouldn't be a good strategy because of how hard it is to make contact against someone throwing in the high 90s. Maybe a combination of moving the mound back and deadening the ball? That's all I can think of...

I wonder how much of this has to do with specialization by pitchers, and if a reduction in roster size would "improve" the situation by leading to pitchers being left in the game longer. I put "improve" in quotes because this is all a matter of perspective, as to whether or not some aspect of the current game is a problem. Anyway, I am imagining that with fewer roster spots, you'd see starters and relievers both left in longer, and maybe adjusting their pitching styles based on the knowledge that they're going to have to throw more pitches every game. It would be nice to see starting pitchers left in to try to go for complete games more often. To me, a change to something like roster size would be far preferable over a change that directly alters the rules of game-play or the physical layout of the game (moving the mound, bases, outfield walls, etc.). I guess the players union would hate this idea and never let it happen.

The MLBPA won't allow smaller rosters. Same reason the DH won't go away. A roster spot is a job.

Swinging from the heels on every pitch, every count, is why the current game sucks. Most players are striking out like only Dave Kingman and Adam Dunn did in the past. Everything is about home runs, and booking your spot on Sportscenter highlight reels. I haven't watched a game since who knows when.

Still, I think dannyjoe is right. It has to start in maybe AA and then AAA, but yes, no more than 10 pitchers total, maybe even 9 if necessary. Expand the league to 32 teams, so the overall number of players is not reduced to please the union. Some pitchers will HAVE to go at least 7 or 8 innings, and some relievers will have to pitch 2 or 3, because with only five starters and four bullpen people, something has to give. I think the mound has to be moved back - 2 feet immediately, then another foot each for three years. Move the fences back too, or the diamond, make home runs harder and strike outs harder.

I think rule changes are unnecessary. The rules have been fine for years. It's how the game is played that is flawed. I hope pitching continues to chew up and spit out hitters until they change their approach. There are way too many struggling Matt Carpenter types right now. Keep wiffing with that big hole in your swing, Dumbass...i have no idea why he still has a contract.

The solution to all of this is to move the fences back.

400 500 400 would be the end of thunderdome

and pudgy softball looking guys

geez that would be terrible

having athletes back in the game

Posted by DoctorKz on 5/22/2021 9:18:00 PM (view original):
I think rule changes are unnecessary. The rules have been fine for years. It's how the game is played that is flawed. I hope pitching continues to chew up and spit out hitters until they change their approach. There are way too many struggling Matt Carpenter types right now. Keep wiffing with that big hole in your swing, Dumbass...i have no idea why he still has a contract.

Agreed on Matt Carpenter. Geesh, just one damn bunt down the 3B line per game would make them re-think the shift. He's too stupid to try it and the announcers go on and on about how hard it is to do it if you're not accustomed to doing it. For crying out loud, these are professional hitters. How can they not know how to stick a bat out and bunt the freakin' baseball? That's how you get rid of the shift - get these bozo's to learn to bunt or hit the other way...

Is it foolish to expect a player who makes $30 million to make contact?...Is it way off base to ask a guy to “choke up” or cut down his swing when he gets two strikes on him?

Why would you keep Gary Sanchez on a ML roster? He hasn't been above .200 in four years.

Well said, Mwett, at least the parts I understood. I've got no dog in this fight. I pretty much gave up on MLB before your dad did; the 1994 strike was my breaking point as a fan. And I assume MLB has been getting along fine without me. For me the topic in this thread is mainly an interesting thought exercise, just like many of the ideas for sim teams here.

If I recall correctly,Theo Epstein left the Cubs last year; and joined the commissioner s office.He also proclaimed that analytics have gone too far.
If the current commish would listen to him,I bet h es got good id eas