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MLB considering putting an end to, or limiting, defensive shifts

Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:13 pm
Posted by sicboy
Because Awesome
Member since Nov 2010
77601 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:13 pm
LINK

quote:

Coming off a season in which aggressive and creative defensive shifts were more pervasive than others, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has been given “strong” backing to limit the practice, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark reported Wednesday.

Adding to the chances that some sort of shift rule could be in place “by Opening Day 2019” is that whereas many rules changes supported by the owners and commissioner often run into obstacles with the players union, that doesn’t appear to be an issue here. Hitters and pitchers alike seem to dislike shifts, as do traditional baseball fans.

“I think it’s a layup to get approved by the players,” a front-office source told Stark.

The shift has been part of baseball for more than a century, but it is among a variety of customs that have been taken to extremes within the past few years. This past postseason saw things like unconventional shifts, “bullpenning” and benching of regular everyday starters due to platooning splits being utilized like never before.

Whether all that strategizing is good or bad for the game is up for debate, but it sounds like managers and analytics offices might lose one of their favorite tools by the start of next season.



Someone was quoted as saying that only 17% of all at-bats last year resulted in a shift, and the only thing they really rob a hitter of is ground ball singles, so I'm honestly indifferent to this.


This post was edited on 12/6/18 at 1:20 pm
Posted by Jwho77
cyperspace
Member since Sep 2003
76672 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:15 pm to
Posted by WestCoastAg
Member since Oct 2012
145165 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:16 pm to
Oh people trying to change things that dont need to be changed
Posted by dualed
Member since Sep 2010
4695 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:16 pm to
How about the hitters learn to not pull. That’s ridiculous. Go oppo and this is no longer an issue.
Posted by Ross
Member since Oct 2007
47824 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:17 pm to
why? Seems like it introduces an element of strategy to the game
Posted by JetsetNuggs
Member since Jun 2014
13924 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:17 pm to
Dumb. Hitters need to adjust instead of just going all in on the launch angle.

It's like the free throw shooting debacle. If a dude can't make it, sucks for him. The league shouldn't reward lack of development.
Posted by sicboy
Because Awesome
Member since Nov 2010
77601 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:18 pm to
quote:

How about the hitters learn to not pull.


This is essentially hack-a-Shaq. We know you can't hit your free throws, so we're putting you on the line.
Posted by Adam Banks
District 5
Member since Sep 2009
31893 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:19 pm to
I hate the shift and still think this is extremely dumb.

Are they going to ban double play depth? Bringing the infield in? The outfield playing no doubles? These are all “shifts” but because they were common ten years ago no one cares. If you’re a hitter and they are shifting you then drop a bunt down until they stop. the same people who say “oh that’s a win getting gallo to bunt” will the next sentence talk up his OBP and ability to draw walks
Posted by MisslePig
Member since Jul 2018
961 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:21 pm to
quote:

why? Seems like it introduces an element of strategy to the game


This is why Football >>>>>> Baseball
Posted by DestrehanTiger
Houston, TX by way of Louisiana
Member since Nov 2005
12470 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:23 pm to
quote:

I hate the shift and still think this is extremely dumb.



I agree. This just adds rules to a sport with more than enough rules already. The only reason the positions are where they are is because it makes the most sense to cover the field.
Posted by jevins_slickin
Member since Nov 2018
1131 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:23 pm to
So what is the MLB going to do? Call it an illegal formation????

Hitters have to learn how adjust to the shift like they adjust to an ump’s strike zone.

Leave it be!!!!



Posted by SammyTiger
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
66555 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:23 pm to
They’re likely just going to put some restrictions on where players can stand before a pitch’s

I mean Baseball is pretty scarce I. These kind of rules but no one likes the shift.
Posted by sicboy
Because Awesome
Member since Nov 2010
77601 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:23 pm to
I'm not getting the correlation.
Posted by Alt26
Member since Mar 2010
28363 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:23 pm to
quote:

Dumb. Hitters need to adjust instead of just going all in on the launch angle.

It's like the free throw shooting debacle. If a dude can't make it, sucks for him. The league shouldn't reward lack of development.


This! The shift is essentially GIVING the batter a base hit if he chooses to take advantage of it. If the batter can't or is unwilling to hit the ball the opposite way, then why should the defense not be allowed to take advantage of the batter's poor ability/execution?
This post was edited on 12/6/18 at 1:24 pm
Posted by TheAstroTiger
Member since Jun 2018
3101 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:29 pm to
I am for limiting shifts. You could create a rule that actually makes it more strategic such as limiting how many times you can do it or you can't sift if someone is on base. I would be fine with a rule on shifts.
Posted by SammyTiger
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Feb 2009
66555 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:30 pm to
It’s easier said than done

Just taking into account that all position players aside it’s very hard to get a hit in the first place, taking a ball opposite field, while the pitchers is throwing you balls inside hard is very difficult.

It’s what it is, but at the same time if you don’t allow teams to do that what will happen? Baseball basically will just go back to what it was prior to people figureing out that shifts work.
Posted by DallasTiger11
Los Angeles
Member since Mar 2004
11809 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:31 pm to
This is fricking awful. How about the hitters learn how to bunt or go the other way instead of launch angles and striking out all the time. The shift would vanish immediately if the hitters adapted.
Posted by sicboy
Because Awesome
Member since Nov 2010
77601 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:32 pm to
quote:

You could create a rule that actually makes it more strategic such as limiting how many times you can do it


I think making it more of an illegal formation type of rule, like you can't have more than 3 guys on one base line and the guy in the middle has to be somewhat close to second base (spitballing).

quote:

you can't sift if someone is on base



Isn't that the only time you'd want to shift? If all you're taking away is ground ball singles, who cares if the bases are empty?
Posted by RoscoeHarper
Edmond, OK
Member since Aug 2011
4539 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:37 pm to
I am completely 100% against rule changes regarding shifts. If someone would man up and swallow their pride for about 2 weeks, they could keep teams from shifting on them. These are major league hitters for God sakes, they can lay a bunt down or go oppo. Do that for about 10 games in a row to prove you'll do it, and teams will give up on doing it to you guaranteed.
Posted by shel311
McKinney, Texas
Member since Aug 2004
110870 posts
Posted on 12/6/18 at 1:38 pm to
quote:

MLB considering putting an end to, or limiting, defensive shifts

This make me irrationally angry...and I don't even watch baseball anymore.
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