="MikeInHubCity, post: 460979, member: 6166"]Next season, the rosters expand to 26 players & then only 28(instead of 40) after Sept. 1st.
Speaking of pitch clocks, a semi-pro tournament in my parents’ home town in South Jersey has been using “speed-up rules” for 50 years. In addition to the clock, there are rules about only one infield throw after a strikeout before the ball has to come back to the pitcher. Arguments can only last 0:15. After that, an automatic ball/strike. Their DH rule can be used for the pitcher or catcher(but not both in one inning). The advantage to using it for the catcher is that if his spot in the lineup comes up with 2 outs, you can hit for him so that he can get his gear on, as there’s only :45 to switch sides between innings.
Mike, I can see the logic in those rules. I've played and coached with a few of those rules. Being a baseball purist I don't really like rule changes in the major leagues. The ones I proposed to speed up the game are just to get back to moving the game along.
Today's players have been allowed to artificially inflate the time of games. Remember Jim Kaat? That guy worked fast! It was not unusual for him to pitch in games that last only 90 minutes, almost never over 2 hours. Id like to see a stat showing how long his average inning was and he won 283 games. I have to also mention we have to many commercial breaks!
I would not want to have a DH for Johnny Bench or on the other hand I would not want to see my opponent have a DH hit for a catcher that can't hit over the "Mendoza line". One of the fundamental rules of baseball is; once you are out of the game you are out of the game for good. I would not want to see that change for any reason.
I don't think 26 is enough. The Orioles in the late 60's and early 70's often only had 8 pitchers on the roster, but they had 3-4 starters that could complete games and durable relivers. Now teams have 12-13 pitchers on the roster and they have taken strategy out of the game. You almost never see a pinch hitter or pitching change early to get a better match up. Sparky Anderson (captain hook) would be hand cuffed in today's game. He could not have managed with relivers who can't go more than 1 inning and no starters who can complete games. The big Red Machine seldom had more than 1-2 starters that could complete games, but he had several relivers that could pitch 4 innings or more if needed. He managed to win with only just above average pitching staffs in some seasons.
I don't blame today's starters for not being able to complete games. The lineups today don't provide any easy outs, another reason to do away with the DH. Very few pitchers are good hitters. In the American league even number 9 hitters can hit the ball 375', enough in many new ball parks to hit a home run.
I think doing away with the 40 man September rosters is just to keep players from accumulating time on the major league roster. Once they get enough time they have more freedom and make more money, greedy owners don't want that! The 40 man roster is especially important for teams that are out of contention. It allows them to see what the minor leaguers can do against major league competition. Teams don't have to expand September rosters, it's optional.
Baseball owners are so greedy and short sighted. Big TV contracts have made them complacent. Now they worry about how to keep all the millions they are making and they are making more than ever! They are forgetting about bringing in young fans. You almost never see day games in the playoffs or during the regular season. Kids should be in bed before the night games are half over, the really young ones should be in bed before it starts!
When I was coaching it was a challenge to keep the attention of young players for more than 45 minutes. I had to have a plan and keep things interesting and moving to keep their heads in the game for more than an hour. When my teams were at bat I had to do more than managed the game. I had to be an entertainer and teacher for the kids on the bench.
Baseball does very little to entertain kids today. Even the broadcasters ignore kids for the most part. I grew up listening to Chuck Thompson, Bill O'Donnell, Rex Barney, Charlie Eckman, Vince Bagley and others. Not only were they G-rated entertainers, they were excellent teachers of the game.
Baseball is a thinking mans game, we need to bring back the strategy of the game. I like homeruns more than most, but I don't want to see games where we just sit back and wait for homeruns.
Thanks for talking baseball with me, sharing your thoughts and experiences. There is not much better than talking baseball with an intelligent and true baseball fan, thanks again![/QUOTE]