New MLB rules - good? bad?

The only rule that really matters is the pitch clock. I’ve noticed pitchers who have come up from the minors the past couple of years tend to pitch at a quicker pace. The hitters who adjust their gloves between every pitch drive me nuts.

Hitters aren’t going to strike out less based on where fielders are positioned.

The bases will be bigger mostly to prevent collisions at first. Bigger bases aren’t going to generate more stolen bases with teams playing  for the long ball. A handful of players may get to forty stolen bases instead of thirty.

Infielders shouldn’t be prevented from playing back on the grass.

I dont have an issue with the pitch clock. D1 baseball has had a pitch clock rule only if 1B is unoccupied.  So a lot of the pitchers that get drafted are somewhat prepared.  And true, these days most of the young pitcher's that are in milb have been taught to work quickly.

As far as the other 2 rules, it doesn't matter of they are good or bad, mlb has been preparing as it was, regardless, going to be part of the recent collective bargaining agreement.

Even though I'm not in favor of prohibiting the shift I do think that it might have positive results.  Now that ground balls have a prayer of becoming hits perhaps well see more balls put into play, fewer strikeouts and more action. 

Anything but addressing the elephant in the room

2.5 minutes of commercials between each half inning, 17x/game. All that time for a pitcher to throw 5 warmups.

Kid’s been playing with the pitch clock (there is one between innings too) and the bigger bases. We’ve really enjoyed the pace of the game. When major leaguers came in on rehab they turned the clock off and there was a noticeable difference. I’m agnostic on the shift rules. When the did exaggerated shifts on James in the complex league and low A he laid bunts down the third base line so they stopped doing it. Lol

@K9 posted:

Even though I'm not in favor of prohibiting the shift I do think that it might have positive results.  Now that ground balls have a prayer of becoming hits perhaps well see more balls put into play, fewer strikeouts and more action.

Same here. Part of what makes baseball special is how well the field dimensions and the basic rules of the game hold up over decades of play. They set the bases at 90' in 1845. They moved the mound back to 60'6" in 1893. That game looked nothing like the modern game, yet those dimensions have survived. I don't think there's ever been a rule about where position players can play on the field other than everyone must be in fair territory when the ball is put in play (except the catcher).

But as a Phillies fan, I do expect Bryce Harper's AVG and OPS to jump significantly next season.

Might be behind a pay wall, but here's Votto's thoughts:

https://theathletic.com/359079...to-mlb-rule-changes/

I enjoy his passion...

@anotherparent posted:

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2...-larger-bases-shifts

- Strict pitch clock

- Restrictions to defensive shifts

- Bigger bases

Watching these in the minors I agree with the "new MLB rules." However one glaring omission that the ENTIRE RipkenFan family is in favor of  to be part of every Milb level and MLB--ROBO UMPS.