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MLB's rule changes are ruining the spirit of baseball


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    MLB is stripping the game of baseball more this year than any year prior. The slide rule was implemented, which has already caused scuffles and controversy. Now, they are in talks about raising the strike zone. It's current position is at the hollow beneath the batter's knee cap. They are wanting to raise it to the top of the hitters knees instead.

    Another change they are considering is doing away with the need for teams to throw four balls to intentionally walk a batter. Instead, the batter would be granted first base.

    I know what you're thinking. Why is this a big deal?

    It really isn't about the individual changes themselves, it is about the compounding effect they have together. If you look closely they all tell a story, a major story. MLB is going after viewership and ratings more than ever. Companies such as Time Warner have a big stake in it as well. Air time equals money. For a more in-depth approach to this, check this blog out.

    We are truly in the age of instant gratification. What is the main complaint you hear from a non-baseball fan? "It's so slow, and boring to watch."

    The MLB is looking to remedy that. They have made changes in order to punch up the game's tempo already, such as limiting mound time, as well as putting it in-sync with commercial time. I'm guessing that MLB believes that fans do not want to just sit and enjoy the game anymore. They don't want to watch the teams take the time to play as best as possible.

    Do you remember that feeling? The slight lull in the 6th inning. Perhaps, both teams are tied, runners on 2nd and 3rd, and there have already been 2 outs. You look down for just a split second at your beer, then you hear the familiar crack of the bat and everyone is on their feet. Those special moments, encased in time, are at the very core of what makes baseball great. The current tempo of the game is what soaks fans into the moment and makes great plays miraculous.

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    JFoster Wrote:

    It really isn't about the individual changes themselves, it is about the compounding effect they have together.

    Yes. This is the point. Altogether its trying to bring the game into full commercialization, over what we all remember as "the great passtime" of decades ago. Been happening for a long time now, bit by bit. Now they are just trying to fine tune things, and speed up the process.

    I am torn a bit. I totally understand what they are doing. In some ways, it's just evolution. But I still like how you put it. We need to maintain the nostalgic pace of the past. It's what made the sport great to begin with.