by
Surf Maui
In three months 2026 Spring Training will be upon us, with a new manager for the Giants, a full season of Rafeal Devers, a bolstered lineup, and improved pitching staff. So during this off season, I thought it might be time to reevaluate the baseball rule changes that have occurred, not only over the last few years, but since I was a kid, many, many (okay, make that many, many, many) years ago. I am in general a sports rule curmudgeon, who, as a general proposition thinks almost all change–sports and otherwise, is usually not a great idea– though I’ve come around to some of them.
So here are some baseball “modern” rules (some more modern than others) to discuss, and a few rules that may actually improve the game in my opinion:
- The Designated Hitter: I am a traditionalist and I much preferred baseball without the DH, and before it came to the National League. I enjoyed the strategy decisions of pre-DH baseball, such as deciding whether to pinch hit when the pitcher came up, and forcing an otherwise non pitching performance related decision to change pitchers. I liked the fact that the pitcher when he got to the bottom of the order could extend his outing by getting a little break when the opposing pitcher was a batter or two away, and the converse of that, a pitcher who could hit–think MadBum–could really be a weapon that would impact strategy. Bonus question: Since the DH was adopted in the NL, other than a two way player, or position player forced to pitch, who was the last pitcher to hit a home run?
- Interleague Play and Playing Each Team Every Year:
As a fan who grew up in the 50’s when there were only 8 teams in each league, and no post season other than the World Series, I have never liked interleague play, and once I learned to accept that, much less now playing every other team in baseball every season. It means that you play your Division Rivals only two home and away series a year instead of three–13 games instead of 19. The only benefit is that with the Wild Card Expansion, at least –except for division games–everyone is playing the same schedule. Again, if there is to be Interleague Play, I prefer the former version.
- Pitch Clock and Two Disengagements With Runners on Base
I’ll admit, that although I was initially opposed to the pitch clock, it has made games shorter, and that, combined with the 6:45 starts makes life much better for those of us on the East Coast. So the pitch clock has grown on me though it could use a few tweaks. The players have, for the most part seem to have adjusted, but I still don’t like the fact that a game could turn on a pitch clock violation or a batter “delay.” I also don’t like the fact that a batter can take a time out once during an at bat, but with no runners on base, a pitcher can’t take a time out without using a mound visit. That needs to be changed, in my opinion.
- Slightly Bigger Bases.
This is a non- event to me.
- Ghost Runners
Hate it. At least glad they ditched it for post season games, which tells you everything you need to know that they know what an abomination to the game of baseball it is. Yes, it likely shortens extra innings games– though why that should be the case is really beyond me. And if that’s the case it saves pitchers in a long regular season. But, it really changes the strategy of the game. It seems to me that the visiting team is at a real disadvantage (I’d like to see stats in the ghost runner era as to the percentage of extra inning games won by the home team) If you are the visitors do you give up an out to play for one run not knowing what the home team will do? If you are the home team, no matter what happened in the top half the inning, you know exactly what you have to do– play for one run to walk it off, or not, if you need multiple runs. Other than a bottom of a ninth inning, there is nothing comparable in the rest of baseball. Get rid of it, or if not, make it only apply in, for example the 13th inning and later.
- Electronic Strike Zone
This one I like, though not only for a challenge. The technology exists and there is no reason not to get it right, as in the replay—though see below
The Three Batter Rule
Don’t like this one at all. It takes away the strategy of match-ups, of which Bochy was the master. Arguably if the three batter rule was in effect, we may not have won the 2010, 12, and 14 WS.
- Three Wild Card Teams
Mixed feelings about this one. To some degree it is related to the new schedule about playing every team every year– resulting in less games against Division foes. On balance though I like the fact that if a team gets hot at the end of the season they could win it all. Makes for a more exciting trade deadline, and less tank, so on balance I guess I’m in favor.
- Mound visit limits
Okay, I get it, this was very much abused. However, as discussed with the inability of a pitcher with nobody on base to take a time out, that needs to be changed. With that exception, I’m okay limiting mound visits.
Should be Rules or Scoring Changes
- Instantaneously leaving the bag after a slide
Before replay reviews this was not an issue, but now when a runner clearly beats the ball and the initial tag on his slide, but then comes off for a split second not even normally visible to the naked eye and is called out on a replay, that’s just not right. I don’t know what the fix is, but that needs to change.
- Balks
I’ve watched a lot of baseball over the years, and except for a few rare exceptions I don’t have the slightest idea what constitutes a balk under most circumstances, and I’d bet that most of you don’t either. I understand that not stopping in the stretch, or not stepping toward first, but In my opinion, a balk should only be called if it actually deceived the runner(s) on base– not just some ticky tack technicality. No more balks for an accidental stumble. The runner advances at his own risk like the infield fly rule. (Are you listening Heliot?)
- Ground Ball Double PlayI never liked the idea of no RBI credited if a batter grounds into a double play. To me, it depends on the situation and should be in the discretion of the scorer. Moreover, I have always thought that if you grounded into a double play, that two outs should be credited in calculating a batting average.
ONE MORE THING
Although not baseball related, I hate the three point shot in basketball at any level. SM played D-1 college basketball (well mostly sat), but I was a deadly jump shooter, and I would have greatly benefitted if they had three point shot back in the day–especially from that short corner. However, I just don’t think that it is right that you should be able to score 9 (or more with fouls) points in three possessions. Consider this possible end of game scenario with the shot clock off and the game tied: Team A runs a great play ending in a dunk. With two seconds left, Team B throws the ball inbounds and a player heaves one from three-quarter court and wins the game on a lucky three. IMO that’s not right. Just sayin’. Nobody goes to a game to watch players shoot threes. They go to watch the athleticism. I’m not saying that three point shooters aren’t very skilled, but that shouldn’t be what determines the game, as it too often does. It’s changed the game to a three point shoot out in many cases, and not for the better. There is just too much emphasis on threes.
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