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[XiaNaphryz]

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/mlb-p...-ball-with-joe-torres-approval-224914115.html

Major League Baseball plans on testing a rule change in the lowest levels of the minor leagues this season that automatically would place a runner on second base at the start of extra innings, a distinct break from the game's orthodoxy that nonetheless has wide-ranging support at the highest levels of the league, sources familiar with the plan told Yahoo Sports.

A derivation of the rule has been used in international baseball for nearly a decade and will be implemented in the World Baseball Classic this spring. MLB's desire to test it in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and Arizona League this summer is part of an effort to understand its wide in-game consequences – and whether its implementation at higher levels, and even the major leagues, may be warranted.

”Let's see what it looks like," said Joe Torre, the longtime major league manager who's now MLB's Chief Baseball Officer and a strong proponent of the testing. ”It's not fun to watch when you go through your whole pitching staff and wind up bringing a utility infielder in to pitch. As much as it's nice to talk about being at an 18-inning game, it takes time.

While the specifics of the rule are not final, the current plan is to start with a runner on second base in the 10th and every inning thereafter. As baseball grapples with ways to increase action in a game with a record-low rate of balls in play, changing its extra-innings rules emerged as a solution with multiple potential benefits.

In addition to the increase in action a forced runner would create, so too would a philosophical element enter the game: to bunt or not to bunt. The other advantages are not quite as Shakespearean but certainly pragmatic. Amid concern about fatigue and travel, the presumption of shorter games with the new rules could save players from the rigors of extra-innings affairs that slog into the night. Further, the taxation on young arms – especially those in the minor leagues – would be mitigated.

”What really initiated it is sitting in the dugout in the 15th inning and realizing everybody is going to the plate trying to hit a home run and everyone is trying to end the game themselves," Torre said. ”I don't know what inning is the right inning. Maybe the 11th or 12th inning. But there are a number of reasons."

The minor leagues are typically MLB's testing ground for potential rule changes, and as commissioner Rob Manfred focuses on pace-of-play issues, the prospect of extra innings with more action is appealing. The possibility of playing under different rules in extra innings – both the NFL and NHL do so in their overtime periods – is real enough that MLB sought feedback from both its playing rules and competition committees this offseason, according to sources.

Even if it is a success, it would likely take years for the major leagues to adopt the changes. The strategy of implementing rules in the minor leagues, which MLB can do without the players' approval, is canny: Once those players graduate to the major leagues, their familiarity with them – such as a pitch clock, which currently is in place in the minors – would allow easier adoption.

 

[clemenx]

The fuck is with Manfred seeing issues where there arent any

 

[Couleurs]

”It's not fun to watch when you go through your whole pitching staff and wind up bringing a utility infielder in to pitch.

Uhhhh yes it is

Watching Aaron Miles hit a home run off Skip Schumaker is one of the finest moments in human history.

 

[sk3]

Could be interesting. If the goal is to make "overtime" or "extra innings" as exciting and intense as possible I think this adds to that.

There will be a great emphasis on pitchers that can keep runners on base.

 

[outunderthestars]

I love this idea.

 

[JHall]

They do this in summer high school/travel baseball tournaments to help speed up the games.

 

[painey]

DUMB
AS
FUCK

Extra innings in baseball are TENSE. That's the magic. All MLB cares about is making games quick. Wouldn't be surprised if their next proposition is making the game 6 innings.

 

[RedNalgene]

I like this rule but would like to see them put a runner on second in the 12th or 13th rather than the 10th. Give the teams a chance to duke it out in a few extra innings, then try and accelerate scoring.

 

[clemenx]

Super long extra innings don't happen often enough to be annoying or an issue. they're a fun novelty when it does happen.

 

[excelsiorlef]

Could be interesting. If the goal is to make "overtime" or "extra innings" as exciting and intense as possible I think this adds to that.

There will be a great emphasis on pitchers that can keep runners on base.

It makes a lead off single enough to end a game in the bottom inning of the ball goes deep enough...

 

[PROh1bited]

Gross

 

[UberTag]

They can bring this to the majors but keep that shit rule out of the playoffs.
Treat it like shootouts in the NHL.

 

[alr1ght]

Dumb.

They can do this but make it 1 out, only giving 2 for the inning.

 

[excelsiorlef]

If you're gonna fuck with the sport at least go all out and gimmicky like a Home Run Derby

 

[Chris R]

FUCK NO

Seriously, they better not do this. I was at a 15 inning game last year. SHIT was intense.

 

[Branduil]

I don't see any problem with this as long as you don't do it immediately in extra innings. Maybe two innings with normal rules, then next inning starts with a guy on first, then on second after that.

 

[JABEE]

Bush league.

 

[smokeandmirrors]

would rather have ties than this bullshit

 

[brianjones]

can't just arbitrarily put someone on base.. come on

 

[Subpar Spatula]

MLB needs to shake things up: shrink the stadiums and use a bouncy ball.

 

[serenewarfare]

I love games that go super long and end up becoming a war of attrition. Like that 19 inning NY/BOS game last season.

But I think I'm the minority.

 

[The JT]

SO stupid. It would give the home team too much of an advantage imho. Manfred needs to leave the game as is, none of this stupid shit.
Also how would that work, Just a pinch runner, next batter. How would you even score it? Again, dumb as fuck.

 

[v1lla21]

No thanks.

 

[Windu]

fuck no

 

[baxter2231]

Then there is the fact it completely changes the importance of stats. That RBI wouldnt have existed in the old days.

 

[Bronx-Man]

If they wanna make games faster, they need to put in a goddamn pitching clock already.

 

[DrForester]

Every sport would be made better if they introduced a multi-ball rule.

 

[Frozenprince]

This is fucking stupid.

Manfred has no idea what he's doing.

 

[Lexxism]

Disgusting

 

[Chase17]

Hmm

Hoping this doesn't stick.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

Fuck that bullshit.

 

[Frozenprince]

All you need is a 35 second pitch clock. There. Issue with time of games over.

 

[bonesmccoy]

Stupid. The issue is 3+ hour 9 inning games, not games that go into extra innings.

 

[outunderthestars]

fuck no

Don't worry, the Braves still wouldn't be able to score....

 

[Flux]

Do it. A regular game already takes the entire afternoon.

 

[Fatalah]

This is CRAY. This messes with the beauty of baseball's timing.

 

[Bsigg12]

For regular season games, I like the idea.

For post season, absolutely not.

 

[HarryDemeanor]

Sure why not. It's not like the Dodgers can score runs anyway.

 

[TwntyOneTwlv]

Wow. This is worse than the intentional walk idea.

 

[Frozenprince]

For fucks sake baseball is finally back and relevant again, don't fuck up the game for no reason.

 

[Sir Alemeth]

WTF.
.......
Lol. Just...No. Maybe in an exhibition game or something. Not for regular season, absolutely not for the post season.

 

[StoveOven]

This is stupid. Plus, wouldn't every team just walk the first batter to set up the DP. Might as well just start with runners on 1st and 2nd then.

 

[BFIB]

This is almost as stupid as the DH.

 

[sixghost]

DUMB
AS
FUCK

Extra innings in baseball are TENSE. That's the magic. All MLB cares about is making games quick. Wouldn't be surprised if their next proposition is making the game 6 innings.

Sounds great

 

[GK86]

MLB needs to shake things up: shrink the stadiums and use a bouncy ball.

 

[Marvie_3]

This is fuckin stupid.

 

[firehawk12]

This sounds like the overtime rules the NHL implemented years ago to make those more interesting to watch.

 

[UberTag]

MLB needs to shake things up: shrink the stadiums and use a bouncy ball.

 

[Beartruck]

On one hand, games can run too long. On the other hand, fuck this noise.

 

[3N16MA]

Why not put a runner on third and the first to steal home wins?

Sounds just as stupid.