×

Column: MLB getting harder to watch, enjoy

Ever since Rob Manfred took over the reins as MLB commissioner on Jan. 25, 2015, the game has steadily become worse.

It is as if Manfred has a magic wand and thinks he can change everything about Major League Baseball. There are a select few that are for the better, but most are horrible. Some are just flat-out ridiculous.

His first impact has been pace of play. Some of the new rules are fine, such as the time clock everyone sees on the scoreboards nowadays. Another one is limiting pitcher visits to five per nine innings. That was becoming ridiculous with catchers visiting the hurler after nearly every pitch, so props to the change.

What Manfred does not get positive feedback on involves batters being intentionally walked without a pitch being thrown. Does that really make the game move faster? Absolutely not.

Also, batters not being able to step out of their box in between pitches is another head scratcher. Yes, baseball can move faster now, but hitters need to regroup and refocus every now and then.

And, sometimes what players do in between is legendary, like when David Ortiz used to spit in his gloves and clap. Mike Hargrove is the “human rain delay” for a reason. It was quite entertaining.

One of the worst Manfred imposed in general is having relief pitchers pitch to at least three batters before another can relieve him, unless he gets out of the inning on one or two hitters. Manfred also probably hates puppies and kittens.

Baseball is not for everyone. Manfred will not get new fans just because the games are faster than ever. MLB needs to do a better job of marketing its talent.

So, back to more Manfred rules. Well, this is not a rule but more of a bad judgment. How were none of the Houston Astros players fined, suspended or banned for cheating to win the 2017 World Series? Manager A.J. Hinch was fired, and so was the general manager. Carlos Beltran was set to become the new manager of the New York Mets, but they backed out because of the incident.

Those such as Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, etc. should have never seen the field last year. At the very least, they should have been suspended for at least a month without pay. Nothing being done really hurt MLB’s image.

This next rule also goes back to Bud Selig and those before him. It is absolutely ridiculous that the American and National Leagues have different rules. Either both leagues need to have a designated hitter or the pitchers bat. It is that simple.

The American League is such at a disadvantage that many may not know about. When, for example, the Cleveland Indians visit the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Tribe are at a disadvantage. When the Pirates visit Cleveland, the Buccos receive a major bonus because their pitchers get a night off from swinging the lumber.

The DH should be in both leagues. But, at this point, as long as both leagues have the same exact rules, by all means do it.

Are there any true and pure MLB fans who enjoy the seven-inning doubleheaders? What nonsense is this. They are professionals ballplayers, not high schoolers.

What is more insane is that Madison Bumgarner tossed a no-hitter earlier this year and did not get credit for it because it was only seven frames. So, nice job nobody will remember. Just an asterisk next to it is all one needs.

The new trend with pitchers not allowed to have sticky substances is the main reason for this column. MLB is hurting already, so new videos with pitchers being checked during every game slows it down and is not a good image. There is nothing wrong with using tar for gripping the ball.

There probably are more that is missing from this list, but these are the main issues. The MLB has been digging its own hole the past decade or so. With Manfred in charge, he’s making sure that hole keeps getting bigger.

If the MLB ever gets robot umpires, good luck getting anybody to watch your product. How many more days until football season begins? And this is coming from a die-hard baseball fan.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today