MLB 2022

[Pilgrim]

It's not often you have the chance to watch a major sport take another step in committing slow, agonizing suicide.

If there's any faster way to make MLB irrelevant to Americans under the age of 60, I don't know what it would be.

 

[MJ5150]

Agreed.
It's breaking my heart watching these fools argue, but at age 50, I've had enough. I grew up with baseball, but I'll grow old without it.
I will hang on to my memories from the 80's and 90's.

-Mike

 

[buldog5151bass]

My understanding is that after about 22 games, MLB will have to start refunding money to the regional networks. I'm guessing that is when they will actually try to get a deal.

 

[BadSanta1281]

I grew up with baseball, but I'll grow old without it.

Me, too... until the Giants make the playoffs. Then I'll start watching again.

 

[Gaolee]

Me, too... until the Giants make the playoffs. Then I'll start watching again.

Good thing you aren't a Mariners fan. You would wait forever. Except that this was going to be their year. If there's a season. It figures. The Mariners start looking like they might have a team that's above Triple-A quality, and the season gets trashed.

 

[BadSanta1281]

Good thing you aren't a Mariners fan. You would wait forever.

My brother in law is a Mariners fan. I understand.

 

[dangnewt]

My understanding is that after about 22 games, MLB will have to start refunding money to the regional networks. I'm guessing that is when they will actually try to get a deal.

Good point. This is bad news for all the owners since it is the source of the revenue sharing that flows from big-market to small-market teams.

I wonder if Congress were to do a bit of saber-rattling about MLB's antitrust exemption, would that motivate the owners to strike a deal? My default is rose-colored glasses optimism, but I believe this would be a truly bipartisan effort.

 

[dwm74]

Agreed.
... I've had enough. I grew up with baseball, but I'll grow old without it.
I will hang on to my memories from the 80's and 90's.

-Mike

Great line, dude, and 100% in the same boat. Except my memories are late 60s to early 80s.

Not a summer's day went by in my youth without playing baseball. (The Sandlot movie is almost autobiographical for me.) But as I got older, I realized there are so many other things that hold my interest better than this sport anymore. Although I follow the sport peripherally...I check the standings periodically, I can't remember the last time I sat through more than an inning or two on the tube. And even then it was the 8th or 9th of a close game.

Oddly enough, just the other day I was googling baseball cards from the years I collected them ('70-'75), and the memories they evoke were "so thick I had to brush them away from my face". (<-- Field of Dreams reference ). But seriously, there is something so nostalgic and reassuring in keeping those memories alive by reflecting on how it was back in the day when Big Leaguers were looked upon as heroes by us naive and awe-struck kids.

 

[buldog5151bass]

While we wait for these idiots to come to a deal, I wanted to come up with something to discuss. After a lot of reading and study, I think MLB should move the pitcher's rubber back, for a number of reasons:

1. It would bring down the effective speed of pitches (about 3mph), and give the batters more time. If that were to happen, I think there would be less swinging from the fences. Lots of studies on this.
2. 60'6" isn't magic. It actually was a typo originally, and in the early years, the pitcher was gradually moved back, starting at 45'.
3. Putting the rubber at (I believe) 62.75' would put it in the exact center of the diamond, which would be a nice symmetry.

With that in mind, would it make more sense to do that all at once, or a little at a time - say 6 inches per year?

Discuss.

 

[SoonerBill]

While we wait for these idiots to come to a deal, I wanted to come up with something to discuss. After a lot of reading and study, I think MLB should move the pitcher's rubber back, for a number of reasons:

1. It would bring down the effective speed of pitches (about 3mph), and give the batters more time. If that were to happen, I think there would be less swinging from the fences. Lots of studies on this.
2. 60'6" isn't magic. It actually was a typo originally, and in the early years, the pitcher was gradually moved back, starting at 45'.
3. Putting the rubber at (I believe) 62.75' would put it in the exact center of the diamond, which would be a nice symmetry.

With that in mind, would it make more sense to do that all at once, or a little at a time - say 6 inches per year?

Discuss.

I heard a piece on the radio about some minor leagues moving the mound back last season and how it worked well.

I would just move it in one fell swoop and give the pitchers spring training to get used to it.

 

[Camaro69]

Yeah I'd say just move it
Caveat being the batters also get one time to step out of the batters box. Too much messing around

 

[buldog5151bass]

I definitely agree on the stepping out of the box ( take a look at any game from the 70s and earlier and you will see the difference).

Supposedly one minor leagues is going to try moving the rubber this year, although I think it is just a foot.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

I'd like to see the mound moved back too, but I'm not sure how the MLBPA will feel about it. Pitchers probably won't be keen on it. Probably don't need to add another wrinkle to the ongoing negotiations between the league and players.

 

[Stewie26]

Of all the professional sports, I have always liked baseball the best. That said, it is hard for me to side with those who are already making mega million dollar salaries. Where does it end? Just sayin

 

[GregC]

Of all the professional sports, I have always liked baseball the best. That said, it is hard for me to side with those who are already making mega million dollar salaries. Where does it end? Just sayin

I mean, the owners are making even more, so...

 

[Stewie26]

I mean, the owners are making even more, so...

Please note that I said, "those" meaning both sides of the table.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The days of the $1.50 bleacher seat are long gone. It's BIG business for both sides.

Hopefully they won't be stupid enough to blow this, or it will be worse than in 1995...

 

[thisheregiraffe]

I read an interesting opinion column in The Globe & Mail a few days back entitled "Baseball fans are mostly to blame for the MLB lockout". The headline is a tad sensational, and the columnist is kinda known for questionable takes, but the gist of his argument is that both the league and players take it for granted that fans will come back to the game eventually, so perhaps in a way it is our fault that they carry on like this if we ultimately keep watching and spending money on baseball when it returns. 1995 dealt a blow to the league, but in the end it recovered, even if it took several years, and teams are worth way more money now than they were before. A bit of short-term pain won't actually hurt the league and players that much in the longer run. It would take a huge loss of fans to really hurt the league. The owners and players probably all assume that it won't happen.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

MLB, MLBPA Reach New Collective Bargaining Agreement

!!!

 

[Gaolee]

Of all the professional sports, I have always liked baseball the best. That said, it is hard for me to side with those who are already making mega million dollar salaries. Where does it end? Just sayin

I can't side with either side. Maybe the minor leaguers.