I know that I haven't blogged in a while but wanted to throw something out there since this was on my mind. Most of you that know me know that I am a naturalist and very conservative when it comes to baseball. I still prefer the National League where the pitchers have to hit. The DH isn't the worst thing in the world but I do prefer the guys play a position have to hit. Here is what sparked this blog. I saw a facebook post about some group that has come up with the answer to "FIX" baseball and speed it up. Before I tell you what their idea was let me remind you that I am pretty conservative on my view of baseball and how it should be played. Let me ask you this. What needs fixing? The games are too long. No. The games are too slow. No. It makes me laugh a little when "avid sports fans" say baseball is boring or too slow. Slow when the average fastball being thrown today is creeping up to 94 mph. Jordan Hicks of the St. Louis Cardinal is throwing nasty sinkers at 102 mph. Hitters are hitting balls faster and further than ever before. Infielders from all over the league have unbelievable quickness and make amazing plays inning after inning. Outfielders with so much closing speed they make these huge outfields look small. The game is slow...don't be silly.
Okay so here is this genius plan that I saw on Facebook. I'm not kidding. Here is their idea. When the game is tied the game is normal nine innings with six outs per inning (that would be three in the top and three in the bottom) just in case you didn't know. When one of the teams takes the lead then they only get two outs in their half of the inning. The thought pattern here gives the losing team a one out advantage for the duration of the game when they are behind. If the team that is losing were to tie the game then both teams would go back to three outs. If the losing team takes the lead then they will have two outs for the remaining innings that they are in the lead. Wow. In case you don't believe me here is a link to their plan. This article is in the Wall Street Journal.
I have to add my own two cents. If you are in the group that believes baseball needs to be overhauled, speed up, dramatically changed then go watch something else. Leave it alone. Baseball is perfect just the way it is. When I go to a game I expect it to take about three hours. If it was any quicker I would feel that I got cheated. If you can't get excited about a 1-1 tie going into the 14th inning when the teams a scratching for any possible run and the pitchers are making great pitches - keeping hitters off balance and getting outs then baseball just isn't for you. On the other hand if you agree that the game is perfect please share your thoughts and share this blog. America's Pastime is beautiful just the way it is and this September and October promise to be as exciting as any baseball post season ever. With only about twenty-six games left in the seasons there are still so many things that could happen. How can you play this many games and the division races still be so close. Awesome!
Of course if your team is 15+ games out of first then your season is almost over but baseball season is heating up for the best part. Even when my teams are mathematically eliminated I still find the game just as wonderful and still pick a team to win each series. Love the game.
Coach Bale
