2020 baseball

[mtgguitar]

The season is going to have some interesting changes.

DRUGS
Associated Press. SAN DIEGO -- Major League Baseball will start testing for opioids and cocaine, but only players who do not cooperate with their treatment plans will be subject to discipline.
Marijuana will be removed from the list of drugs of abuse and will be treated the same as alcohol as part of changes announced Thursday to the joint drug agreement between MLB and the players' association. In addition, suspensions for marijuana use will be dropped from the minor league drug program.
The changes come months after the July death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. A toxicology report revealed the 27-year-old had a mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone in his body when he died.

NETTING
NBC. Dec. 11, 2019, 8:52 PM EST / Updated Dec. 11, 2019, 10:06 PM EST
Dec. 11, 2019, 8:52 PM EST / Updated Dec. 11, 2019, 10:06 PM EST
By Andrew W. Lehren and Michelle Tak
Every Major League Baseball team next season will expand netting that protects fans from foul balls, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told CNBC in an interview Wednesday.
The move comes after growing concerns about fans being injured or sometimes killed by foul balls. An NBC News investigation in October found at least 808 reports of injuries to fans from baseballs from 2012 to 2019. The injuries include concussions and permanent vision loss. In 2018, a grandmother celebrating her 79th birthday at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles died after being hit in the head by a foul ball.

PITCHING
The more significant changes will come in 2020. Most notably, all pitchers will be required to pitch to a three-batter minimum or though the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries or “incapacitating illness.” The rule was implemented unilaterally by the Office of the Commissioner.

The rule effectively signals the end of the lefthanded specialist, whose job often was to face a single lefthanded hitter before being pulled regardless of the outcome. Marc Rzepczynski and Boone Logan are some of the relievers who fill that role today, while former starters such as Oliver Perez have been able to extend their careers by becoming lefty specialists.




THERE ARE MORE:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-mlbpa-announce-rules-changes-for-2019-and-2020-seasons/

https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/11/15/baseball-rule-changes

 

[Crotch]

The 3 batter minimum rule is one of the dumber things I've ever heard of. And I'm all for speeding up the game. Just not like that

 

[Tone deaf]

The lefty specialist for one out is often a risky gambit and pulls a righty who has been throwing well for the unknown. I've seen lots of games blown by making that decision. It's an important part of the chess match between managers. If they want to speed up the game, reduce the times a batter can step out and put the pitchers on a shot clock.

 

[ns2a]

The 3 batter minimum rule is one of the dumber things I've ever heard of. And I'm all for speeding up the game. Just not like that

I like it. Too many pitchers in a game now.

In future years Let’s get the electronic strike zone, Angel & West to retire and a better profit sharing system.

 

[Olds442]

The 3 batter minimum rule is one of the dumber things I've ever heard of. And I'm all for speeding up the game. Just not like that

aww let the kids play. i think it actually makes for more difficult managerial decisions. i like it.

 

[ns2a]

The lefty specialist for one out is often a risky gambit and pulls a righty who has been throwing well for the unknown. I've seen lots of games blown by making that decision. It's an important part of the chess match between managers. If they want to speed up the game, reduce the times a batter can step out and put the pitchers on a shot clock.

I think the stepping out/pitch clock would fix the length of game more than anything. When I played in the late 80's the coaches would require us to at least keep our back foot in the batters box at all times - even if we'd step out, the back foot stays in the box. It's so silly now adjusting helmets, gloves, cups EVERY SINGLE PITCH. The league is full of Mike Hargroves.

 

[Tone deaf]

How about if the batter steps out more than twice, during an at bat, the pitcher gets a free "Bean ball?" It the batter get's hit, he gets first base, but the pitcher doesn't get tossed.

 

[Bill Hicklin]

Better yet: from the time the pitcher receives the ball, he gets X seconds either to deliver the ball to the plate, or step off and throw to a base if there are men on. If he fails, the batter is awarded a ball. However, if the pitcher does deliver the ball within the allotted time and the batter is out of the box, the pitcher is awarded an automatic strike. It's just like football- if the defense is out of position at the snap, tough luck.

Also: the umpire shall not grant time to the batter once he has stepped in, except in cases of clear equipment malfunction (no, not "adjust my gloves again.")

 

[pmonk]

The 3 batter minimum rule is one of the dumber things I've ever heard of. And I'm all for speeding up the game. Just not like that

Its a terrible rule that destroys a defensive manager's strategy. Now the opposing manager knows that a Lefty or righty pitcher is now locked in for three batters and can pinch hit at will? It will also slow the pace of the game if a manager puts in a RP who clearly does not have it and is forced to watch his RP throw 12 straight balls.

 

[pmonk]

How about cut commercial time during innings???

 

[jaycoyoyo]

Better yet: from the time the pitcher receives the ball, he gets X seconds either to deliver the ball to the plate, or step off and throw to a base if there are men on. If he fails, the batter is awarded a ball. However, if the pitcher does deliver the ball within the allotted time and the batter is out of the box, the pitcher is awarded an automatic strike. It's just like football- if the defense is out of position at the snap, tough luck.

Also: the umpire shall not grant time to the batter once he has stepped in, except in cases of clear equipment malfunction (no, not "adjust my gloves again.")

20 second pitch clocks were instituted in the minor leagues in the past few years. It's only a matter of time until they are implemented in MLB.

-Jay

 

[Crotch]

If you don't like the time baseball takes, the 15 minutes of pitching changes (if even) will not change your thoughts on the time it takes to play the game.

 

[Tone deaf]

How about cut commercial time during innings???

I bet that thought never came up during any of the meetings. They'd cut an inning down to two outs before they cut into ad revenue.

 

[pmonk]

The reason why a baseball game takes 3+ hours is that it takes forever between pitches due to the hitter constantly leaving the batting box and adjusting the 20 pieces of protective gear and the pitcher and catcher waiting for the bench to communicate the next pitch.

Also stop with the 8:30 start times during the playoffs

 

[Zungle]

It's just like football- if the defense is out of position at the snap, tough luck.

Yeah one of the dumbest non addressed issues in football......no thanks.

 

[mtgguitar]

It's not April Fools Day......

ESPN: Report: Umpires agree to MLB's test plans for automated strike zone

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28348068/report-umpires-agree-mlb-test-plans-automated-strike-zone

"NEW YORK -- Computer plate umpires could be called up to the major leagues at some point during the next five seasons.

Umpires agreed to cooperate with Major League Baseball in the development and testing of an automated ball-strike system as part of a five-year labor contract announced Saturday, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. The Major League Baseball Umpires Association also agreed to cooperate and assist if Commissioner Rob Manfred decides to utilize the system at the major league level. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because those details of the deal, which is subject to ratification by both sides, had not been announced."

 

[mtgguitar]

Wild baseball in Venezuela! Get HBP, then beat on the catcher, it's much easier than running to the mound.

Former D-back Alex Romero strikes catcher with bat after HBP
Jan 9, 2020 . ESPN
A wild brawl erupted during the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League playoffs on Wednesday, after former major league outfielder Alex Romero struck the opposing catcher with his bat after being hit by a pitch.

The incident occurred in the eighth inning, with Caribes de Anzoategui on the way to a 13-2 win over Aguilas del Zulia.

After a benches-clearing brawl in the seventh inning that led to four ejections, Romero, who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 and 2009, was hit by a pitch from Angel Nesbitt.

Romero responded by swinging his bat and striking Caribes catcher Gabriel Lino twice, as both benches emptied again and a wild brawl erupted, including players kicking and punching opponents.

 

[Bill Hicklin]

Shades of John Roseboro/Juan Marichal in '65

 

[mtgguitar]

Shades of John Roseboro/Juan Marichal in '65

Damn! I forgot about that.

Roseboro need 14 stitches to close the gash on his head, and he missed the next two games.

 

[King Minimoose]

The three batter minimum rule is so ridiculously dumb. Bruce Bochy doesn't become a hall of fame manager with that rule in place.