MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred would consider eliminating the shift

While  I think there might be generalities, the current "shift" approach, in my view, has clear exceptions.   Where the exception was very visible was the post-season with the  Giants who used the shift in every game/series with the Pirates, Nats, Cards and especially the Royals.  Since the latter is talked about as being similar to the Giants, it seems clear the shift is viewed differently by different clubs. 

Time for the hitters to make some adjustments. Terry Francona recently said...

"I think you're about ready to see -- because the game always makes its own adjustments -- and I think right now the hitters are still in that mode of swinging like they're hitting it out of the ballpark but not necessarily doing that anymore," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "I think you'll see a segment of hitters using the whole field a little more. The game has a way of evening itself out."

2,464 shifts in 2010. 13,296 in 2014. Seems like a trend to me. I believe it will continue until hitters decide to adjust. Some hitters cannot due to pitch location. Some can adjust and probably should sooner rather than later.

I'd put it another way. I believe that front offices will begin to adjust. The pull hitter who can't adjust (and I don't know if many will ever be able to adjust enough to offset the shift, try as they might) will become an unwanted commodity.

I agree. Because I think the gap in home run totals at the end of the year between a pull-only power hitter and a power hitter who can spread it around ... won't justify the increased number of outs the pull-guy makes into the shift. 

This topic reminds us all of what an incredible hitter Ted Williams must have been to hit .344 lifetime right into the teeth of the original Williams shift. My old friend from Delta State, "Boo" Ferris is one of two surviving members of the 1946 AL champion Red Sox and he has told me it was fabulous to watch Williams drive the ball through the shift. 1946 was the first year they shifted on Williams

As long as a new shift rule is enforced the same as the existing pitch clock rule I'm Ok with it. 

Three bagger,

you are correct. Ted was the greatest, as was Willie, Henry, Ernie Banks who played in our game in El Paso. You remember the "greatest team in the history of baseball"

bob

how is your son?

Hey Bob,

I sent you a PM,

Darrel

MLB Rule 4.03 - When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be in Fair Territory. 

In subsections it goes on to describe the catcher and pitcher and specifically in Rule 4.03(c) it is stated that other than the pitcher and catcher they can position themselves anywhere on the field.  It would not take a whole lot to tweek the wording of this rule that already exists.

Something like Other than the pitcher and catcher the remaining defensive players must be no more than 4 to one side of the direct line from Home Plate, over second base to the fence when a legal pitch is released.

Penalty - Balk or Ball if no runners.

There you go - update an existing rule in less than 50 words and you don't need a line on the field.  The home Plate and 2B umpire's are in easy position to call it.  Hope it never happens.

Not sure how that works. I've got (other than pitcher or catcher) 1B, 2B, ss, and right field shifted over and my cf takes a few steps toward left field.

I'm picturing the baseball version of a hockey face-off where the ump is yelling to the CF to take a step right, and he moves an inch... then moves back left as the pitcher winds up.

Kruk and Kuip on Manfred and the shift:

"I really like Rob Manfred," Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow told KNBR 680-AM on Monday morning. "He's a really bright guy and I think he's a tremendous choice to take the reigns from Bud Selig ... but when you're coming out in the very first interview and you drop this, I'm thinking, 'Rob. Rob. No. Rob. You're losing credibility, Rob. Rob, not the shift thing, keep that quiet, just go away.' I think he made a big mistake. It was bad. The shift is very cool..."

In 2014, baseball averaged 8.14 runs scored per game, the lowest mark since 1981.

Banning a team's ability to shift its defense would theoretically lead to more offense, a common theme across many sports in today's day and age.

"I think he spoke too soon," Krukow's broadcast partner Duane Kuiper told KNBR 680-AM on Tuesday morning. "I don't think he (Manfred) talked to Joe Torre. I don't think he talked to Frank Robinson. I don't think he mentioned it to any of the baseball people. I can't guarantee you this, but I'm pretty sure that they would say, 'You know what. I don't think that's a place you ought to go to right off the bat.'

"The overshift, as far as I'm concerned, now is part of the fun of the game. Does it take away hits from people? Yeah, yeah, I'm sure it does. But that's all part of adjusting and you got to figure it out ... we are seeing more and more of it, and I think fans now get it, they watch it, and they want to see if it's gonna work."

(from http://www.csnbayarea.com/gian...red-made-big-mistake)

The other unfair thing is that his response was to a question that went something like "What's the craziest thing you would consider doing as commish?" (paraphrasing, obviously).

Then your CF is something like 75 to 100' out of position compared to a shift and you open up the OF gap.  Not a big risk maybe but still changes what is happening now and opens up a power slot for extra base hit and keeps the sluggers swinging away. 

That would be the argument for changing it and making more offense.  Less than perfect but then again I am not looking to institute this rule.  Who wants something like Pass Interference in Baseball?  We already have the strike zone. 

The thing to keep in mind is when a team shifts, they rarely shift the outfield - only the infield, so the centerfielder doesn't shift over and he could be on the other side of your line without much of a position change.

I agree with you, though, that baseball is fine just as it is.

Here's an example of a typical shift:

Now, the Williams shift did, indeed, include bringing the cf over.

While disagreeing with the new commisioner on this subject, I sure like his address to baseball fans.  It is so refreshing to hear the front office recognize how vitally important fans are to the future of the game.  I've said it before... Baseball fans are much more important than baseball players.  There will always be enough players, the biggest concern is whether or not there will always be enough baseball fans.

And that is the real issue or point ... creating and keeping fans as a whole. More excitement/scoring for the "average" fan. Shift or no shift, less scoring tends to = less viewers/spectators, especially during the regular season. I have no problem with a pitchers dual, low scoring game, or whatever but I also acknowledge that if baseball (in general) starts to become viewed by more people as a race to score a run or two (kinda like soccer) ... that is ultimately bad for baseball. I'm not saying that is where baseball current is, but people in charge (like a commish) are paid to see trends that effect baseball - good or bad - and respond to those trends. IMO - Blaming the shift for any overall scoring issues (or the lack thereof) is being way too simplistic.

Creating fans starts with the very young.  By the time they are adults most are either fans or they are not fans.

Possible ill-advised (kind word for stupid) rule change by a very smart man.  Let Darwinian forces take over and it will run its course,  The organizations and players will figure it out, and write a new chapter in baseball history.  

Outlaw the shift? ridiculous. What will be next the 3rd baseman will not be allowed to charge on a bunt. the outfielders will have a circle they have to stand in? they talk about speeding up the game why not limit the number of foul balls a batter can hit? Make 1 strike an out.  LEAVE THE GAME ALONE!!!!!

I wonder if the people who are against the "specialist power hitters" are also against the "specialist" defense players... IOW pitchers...