12/21/24
July 27, 2008
IBAF changes rules for extra innings.: Under the new format, the 10th inning will be played normally. At the start of the 11th, teams will have the option of beginning at any point in the existing batting order and placing the previous two batters on base.
This sounds like a good plan for the MLB All Star Game. It's not for the purists among us (myself included), but at least it's an equitable way of deciding things in short order. I would definitely not want to see it incorporated in anything but the Olympics or exhibition games.
posted by Howard_T at 04:45 PM on July 27, 2008
I don't like the idea, it essentially makes extra innings a competition between the teams two best hitters in a who can get a hit first competition. But like The Qatarian I can understand the reasoning for the rule.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 05:13 PM on July 27, 2008
*sigh* “We must demonstrate to the International Olympic Committee (that) not only does our game belong alongside the other great sports of the world, but our sport is manageable from a television and operational standpoint.” Remember what rcade said in the Wie DQ thread about making changes to please the TV gods? If the Olympics don't suit baseball as it stands, then by all means -- fuck the Olympics.
posted by wfrazerjr at 10:42 PM on July 27, 2008
*sigh* Ditto. If the Olympics don't suit baseball as it stands, then by all means -- fuck the Olympics Ditto again. So the Olympics are becoming less about sport and more about TV scheduling. That's great. Heaven forbid we run over the allotted TV time in a competition that happens every 4 years to determine the best in the world. Being able to choose you lineup in the 11th inning is already a huge advantage, let alone to also have runners on 1st and 2nd. But YYM, I think the "hitting/hitter" competition will happen as described in the article, which geared to lead-off with a good bunter. Then the next at-bat could be a squeeze, so the ball might never leave the infield. Personally, I don't like it. This seems to be a better format for the MLB All-Star game, not the Olympics. I say, play the game as it's written in the rules of play.
posted by BoKnows at 11:12 PM on July 27, 2008
I have a better idea: Put a guy on second base, then let the batter throw the ball anywhere he likes in fair territory. Runner on second has to score or that half of the inning is over. Or: put men on all three bases and give them gloves along with the batter. Give the defense bats. The offense has to throw the ball around the horn without it being hit into fair territory by the defense. If it's hit foul, start the throws from the next base. Every time around the horn counts as a run; every time it's stopped counts as an out. Or: Give the batter a foam bat. Put a man halfway between third and home. He can't start running until the pitcher goes into his stretch. Nothing's more exciting that a suicide squeeze, so this should be perfect. Or: flip a coin after the 10th inning. Flip it after the ninth. Hell, flip it before the game. Make all the fielders wear big floppy clown shoes. Blindfold the catcher. Put claymore mines in the outfield and allow the first base coach to detonate one per inning. Whatever you do, don't infringe on TV because it's just baseball, right?
posted by joaquim at 10:11 AM on July 28, 2008
But YYM, I think the "hitting/hitter" competition will happen as described in the article, which geared to lead-off with a good bunter. Then the next at-bat could be a squeeze, so the ball might never leave the infield. True, I was thinking about the strategy as it may be used in the MLB. Given that the majority of MLB teams have very strong hitters in the 3,4,5 spots of the lineup and a speedy lead off hitter that would be on second base that may be the route that some teams would take if in that situation. The Olympics is different since the level of talent and the types of players are different.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 10:48 AM on July 28, 2008
Since most seem to be in agreement about the bunt moving the runners up. why not start out with runners at second and third. Take the bunt away, What is it, 13 ways to score from third without a hit?
posted by scuubie at 06:57 PM on July 29, 2008
Error Sac fly Sac bunt Steal home Pass ball Pass ball strike 3? Wild pitch Balk Fielder's choice Batter hit by pitcher Walk Catcher's interference Fan interference Defensive interference Any more?
posted by scuubie at 07:08 PM on July 29, 2008
I've often wished they'd do something to liven things up a little? Like say, allow the batting team to strategically stick croquet wickets randomly in the outfield. Three per inning would probably be about right since there are three outs and three outfielders. Imagine the radio commentary: "Jones steps back in the box. Here's the pitch. It's a long fly ball to deeeep center field. Jones sure put a charge in that one. Griffey's going back, waaaay back. OOOOHHHH!!! Griffey's down. Hard. He was running full tilt, and then ... face plant. Looks like another one of those dang wickets Joe." "Yeah Marty, that's gotta hurt. heh."
posted by netbros at 10:25 PM on July 29, 2008
add infield fly rule. Batter is out, runners advance at their own peril. 2nd baseman misses the pop up, runner scores Baseball is not much of an Olympic oriented sport, so I really couldn't care if they bring it back. Screw the Olympics. Going to be a fiasco this year anyway.
posted by dviking at 10:32 PM on July 29, 2008
Count me in the "not a big fan, but I understand why it's happening" group.