Baseball Rule Changes...

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by pickettt

That’s what I hear a lot too, but again, it’s perceived as slow because it is a very involved and complicated game IF you realize everything that’s going on. Most don’t. It’s like being at a business seminar when you’re not in the business.

But that’s the thing those who don’t watch it have chosen not to understand it. Your a devoted fan, but the fact there are less viewers is the problem for those at least who make money from it.I remember ball players having to have an offseason job to make a living. That is far from the expectation they have now.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by pickettt

that’s what i hear a lot too, but again, it’s perceived as slow because it is a very involved and complicated game if you realize everything that’s going on. Most don’t. It’s like being at a business seminar when you’re not in the business.

100%

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by dddrees

But that’s the thing those who don’t watch it have chosen not to understand it. Your a devoted fan, but the fact there are less viewers is the problem for those at least who make money from it.I remember ball players having to have an offseason job to make a living. That is far from the expectation they have now.

Sure, but you can’t change the essence of a sport for entertainment purposes. Or rather, you shouldn’t.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Sure, but you can’t change the essence of a sport for entertainment purposes. Or rather, you shouldn’t.

You can and you should. If you want to grow the business you have to adapt to changes in the market. There isn’t much business volume to be gained hanging on to nearly invisible nuances appreciated by a minority of sports consumers.

The NFL changed rules to promote offense and explosive plays, which improved the entertainment value and increased viewership.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Sure, but you can’t change the essence of a sport for entertainment purposes. Or rather, you shouldn’t.

Hmmmm.

But professional sport IS entertainment. The players are entertainers and make their money off their participation.

"Sport" is really amateur unpaid participation. Once money comes into the picture, now it's entertainment. It's business. That's a whole different animal.

Much like a singer is just a singer until they turn professional, then they are an entertainer, and can make unlimited money off it. Or not. But their playlist and “show” is now audience driven.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Sure, but you can’t change the essence of a sport for entertainment purposes. Or rather, you shouldn’t.

That is the other reason I stopped watching sports. It long ago stopped being sports for me because way to much greed and cheating ruined it for me. As others have mentioned professional sports is a purely a business proposition and always has been no matter what the fan wants to believe it is. I’m sure they like you believing that, because that just makes them more money.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by dddrees

That is the other reason I stopped watching sports. It long ago stopped being sports for me because way to much greed and cheating ruined it for me. As others have mentioned professional sports is a purely a business proposition and always has been no matter what the fan wants to believe it is. I’m sure they like you believing that, because that just makes them more money.

This is utter nonsense beyond belief

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by Maleg

You can and you should. If you want to grow the business you have to adapt to changes in the market. There isn’t much business volume to be gained hanging on to nearly invisible nuances appreciated by a minority of sports consumers.

The NFL changed rules to promote offense and explosive plays, which improved the entertainment value and increased viewership.

Just…. No

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by Blansky

Hmmmm.

But professional sport IS entertainment. The players are entertainers and make their money off their participation.

"Sport" is really amateur unpaid participation. Once money comes into the picture, now it's entertainment. It's business. That's a whole different animal.

Much like a singer is just a singer until they turn professional, then they are an entertainer, and can make unlimited money off it. Or not. But their playlist and “show” is now audience driven.

Nice to see you making up definitions to fit your narrative

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Bstewart

This is utter nonsense beyond belief

Really, that's just so surprising considering you come across as such a staunch fan and all.

[DocHorton]

Originally Posted by Bstewart

Just…. No

Baseball has never been less popular than it is now....he's 100% correct.

https://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/wstv.shtml

Despite your thoughts, folks want to see excitement and action....baseball doesn't provide much of either for the majority of fans.

[TheVTCGuy]

I don’t think anyone has brought this up, if I missed it I bow to the poster, but I think all these changes are for the TV audience. Let’s face it, TV rules sports these days. Speeding up the game, IMHO, is all directed at the guy watching it on TV in his living room.

[RyanJ]

I am not sold on these new rules yet.

I will continue to watch and see how things pan out. Maybe they will be fine and improve things. Time will tell.

[BOA]

"Striving to better, oft we mar what's well."

Shakespeare, King Lear, Act I Scene IV

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by DocHorton

Baseball has never been less popular than it is now....he's 100% correct.

https://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/wstv.shtml

Despite your thoughts, folks want to see excitement and action....baseball doesn't provide much of either for the majority of fans.

Would you say televised baseball is more or less exciting and action packed than televised golf?

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I remember ball players having to have an offseason job to make a living. That is far from the expectation they have now.

Don’t have to tell me twice. Dad concurrently worked for The Gas Company…
81BDDBA1-9C64-44EF-9FC1-693510EAC958.jpeg

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Would you say televised baseball is more or less exciting and action packed than televised golf?

It’s more exciting than televised American football, which is a collection of very short bursts of action in between lots of standing around, penalties, commercials, half-time breaks and “clock management”. Football is easier to understand and more violent, which is a thing I guess.

[White Collar Boy]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Don’t have to tell me twice. Dad concurrently worked for The Gas Company…
Attachment 1349150

While I know very little about the pay of minor league pros today, my understanding is they are still poorly looked after. I think it’s incredibly cool your dad played pro baseball, and now your son is right into it! I’m trying to get my kids into it too, but they’re agnostic unless chasing foul balls or post-game autographs. All a part of enjoying it though.

What you said about people not realising how much is always happening rings true. There is always something going on, the pressure always intense on both sides, with enough variety of idiosyncrasies and expressions of grace and athleticism that I never find it dull. Even the between-innings warmups are interesting to watch, but they are also perfectly spaced for audience-member drinks or toilet breaks. I think it’s the best game, and I wish it was bigger in Australia.

[Lol-x]

I watched quite a few games last year.
I have to say it was a struggle to sit there for 3-4 hours with the slowness of the game. So anything that will speed the game/play up I am an advocate.
We'll just have to see how it plays out this year.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Sure, but you can’t change the essence of a sport for entertainment purposes. Or rather, you shouldn’t.

It def shouldn’t be changed just for TV entertainment purposes, which appears to me to be the rationale.

Baseball is an experience that is best when watched in person. TV doesn’t really cut it, it never has. I’m a huge fan, played in college and I can barely watch it on TV, but I’ll drive 6 hours to watch an afternoon of MLB. There are minor league teams pretty much everywhere. It’s the one pro sport that is more accessible for spectators than any other in the US. I just hope the changes don’t create a bunch of in game drama and conflict that could end up ruining a nice relaxing spring day sucking down brews and downing dogs.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Don’t have to tell me twice. Dad concurrently worked for The Gas Company…
Attachment 1349150

Cool, if you don’t mind me asking what position and how long did he end up playing?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

It’s more exciting than televised American football, which is a collection of very short bursts of action in between lots of standing around, penalties, commercials, half-time breaks and “clock management”. Football is easier to understand and more violent, which is a thing I guess.

Be prepared to get

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by pickettt

Would you say televised baseball is more or less exciting and action packed than televised golf?

There’s the rub … most will say baseball I’m sure, but I’d far rather watch golf.

[White Collar Boy]

Originally Posted by Bstewart

Additionally, why is no one talking about the automated strike system that wasn't implemented?

First, thanks for your take on this, which is interesting to hear. Regarding robo umpires/automated strike system, I’m honestly just not sure.

On the one hand, I think it would be fairer for younger hitters who appear not to get the same benefit of the doubt that already-established hitters get when close calls are called balls. For example, Julio Rodríguez early last season: after just 12 games, Fangraphs reported on 22 April 2022 he wasn’t being “offered fair terms” by umpires; admittedly a tiny sample size, but at that point the young star’s triple slash line was .136/.208/.159, with compelling evidence he was being dudded by poor home plate umpiring.

It works both ways I guess; precise umpiring would benefit pitchers by providing more certainty and preventing unearned hitters’ counts. But is there really certainty when a pitch could be called either way? Does that lead to more video reviews? I hate video reviews! Maybe not. In tennis, for example, at the recent Australian Open, on-court line judges were completely replaced with electronic line calls and it seemed to work well. The players questioned fewer calls and Novak Djokovic wasn’t disqualified for hitting anyone. The technology provided more certainty, so matches weren’t as interrupted by enraged players intolerant of bad, impactful decision making.

I think I would miss that occasional enragement in baseball though. I like the human element of home plate umpires being important and potentially a catalyst for drama and barely restrained violence. It’s not my own idea, but maybe umpiring could be made better by dis-incentivising bad or blown calls by broadly publishing stats on umpires’ performances. If that doesn’t work, threaten to send them to Australia to call ABL games and swat at mosquitoes.
—————————————
Fangraphs piece: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/somebody...lio-rodriguez/

[TheVTCGuy]

Speaking of slow games… To you Europeans, and… well, the rest of the world. Don’t cricket matches sometimes go on for days?

[White Collar Boy]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Speaking of slow games… To you Europeans, and… well, the rest of the world. Don’t cricket matches sometimes go on for days?

Slow centuries in test cricket! Why they invented limited overs, and 20/20 ‘Big Bash’ I guess. Like baseball, the sheer amount of it can feel either comfortingly familiar or irritatingly omnipresent. Works well as low background noise to occasionally adjust volume or your attention to.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I don’t think anyone has brought this up, if I missed it I bow to the poster, but I think all these changes are for the TV audience. Let’s face it, TV rules sports these days. Speeding up the game, IMHO, is all directed at the guy watching it on TV in his living room.

Originally Posted by HHIslander

It def shouldn’t be changed just for TV entertainment purposes, which appears to me to be the rationale.

Baseball is an experience that is best when watched in person. TV doesn’t really cut it, it never has. I’m a huge fan, played in college and I can barely watch it on TV, but I’ll drive 6 hours to watch an afternoon of MLB. There are minor league teams pretty much everywhere. It’s the one pro sport that is more accessible for spectators than any other in the US. I just hope the changes don’t create a bunch of in game drama and conflict that could end up ruining a nice relaxing spring day sucking down brews and downing dogs.

TV is where the money is. MLB can exist on the earnings from ticket sales, but it can’t have major league income or pay major league salaries without national TV contracts.

A lot of research has been conducted on TV audiences. And no surprise, audiences have a limited attention span. Sports have to be entertaining to retain audience and long spans of time where seemingly nothing is going on does not retain audiences.

Golf broadcasts constantly switch to the golfer swinging the club to retain excitement. The NFL rules make defense harder so that offenses can be more explosive. Even figure skating has promoted more athletic and exciting routines. MLB is mired in the 1920’s. If it doesn’t adapt to retain a marketable national audience the only place you’ll be able to watch it is at the ballpark.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Really, that's just so surprising considering you come across as such a staunch fan and all.

He’s a pitcher Dan not just a fan.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by GB-man

He’s a pitcher Dan not just a fan.

Ah, thanks. I knew there was some reason he wasn’t very receptive to even considering baseball could possibly be entertainment and a business vs just pure sport.

[Bstewart]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Ah, thanks. I knew there was some reason he wasn’t very receptive to even considering baseball could possibly be entertainment and a business vs just pure sport.

I never claimed there were 0 elements of business or entertainment involved. Obviously there are. But your points were so extreme in the other direction I had to jump in.