Universal designated hitter

[Marvin the Martian]

I have never been a fan of the DH, but I am glad it is finally coming to the NL. Having 2 sets of rules is even worse than the DH.

Pitchers either must now pitch to 3 batters, or to the end of an inning, unless injured. Why do I predict a lot of "injuries" this year? Pitchers are going to fall to the ground screaming like they are soccer players.

 

[Univee2]

I have never been a fan of the DH, but I am glad it is finally coming to the NL. Having 2 sets of rules is even worse than the DH.

Pitchers either must now pitch to 3 batters, or to the end of an inning, unless injured. Why do I predict a lot of "injuries" this year? Pitchers are going to fall to the ground screaming like they are soccer players.

Why stop with just one DH? Why not a DH for Billy Hamilton? A great CF who can't hit his weight. Heck, let Billy then be inserted if his DH gets a hit, which is not a home run, or gets on base due to a walk or an error. Why stop there? How about 9 DHs? An offensive and a defensive rotation.

Let's be bold. Change the game completely. Have a second mound, at 70 feet, for those who can throw over 95 mph. How about no shifts? Each defensive player has to be within his 8-foot diameter circle at the start of each pitch. These circles are the same for every player so that there's a standard shortstop's circle, for example, throughout the league. We can come up with a thousand of these.

Next, there will be Designated Free Throw Shooters. Does Alford have any eligibility left?

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Why stop with just one DH? Why not a DH for Billy Hamilton? A great CF who can't hit his weight. Heck, let Billy then be inserted if his DH gets a hit, which is not a home run, or gets on base due to a walk or an error. Why stop there? How about 9 DHs? An offensive and a defensive rotation.

Let's be bold. Change the game completely. Have a second mound, at 70 feet, for those who can throw over 95 mph. How about no shifts? Each defensive player has to be within his 8-foot diameter circle at the start of each pitch. These circles are the same for every player so that there's a standard shortstop's circle, for example, throughout the league. We can come up with a thousand of these.

Next, there will be Designated Free Throw Shooters. Does Alford have any eligibility left?

None of that covers the fact the DH exists and has existed for most of our lives. The choices are, in my order of preference, 1) no DH at all 2) DH everywhere 3) random rules decided by who the home team is. Should we let the home team decide today 2 strikes is enough? Or the home team gets to decide if players have to stand in a circle, or the home team gets to decide if everyone gets a DH.

 

[UncleMark]

None of that covers the fact the DH exists and has existed for most of our lives. The choices are, in my order of preference, 1) no DH at all 2) DH everywhere 3) random rules decided by who the home team is. Should we let the home team decide today 2 strikes is enough? Or the home team gets to decide if players have to stand in a circle, or the home team gets to decide if everyone gets a DH.

Calvinball.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

Calvinball.

That I would watch

 

[TommyCracker]

Well as a cubs fan it's going to make that Jimenez trade much tougher to deal with than it already is (since now Schwarber doesn't need to be in the field).

I think the cubs are again going to prove when you heavily invest in your farm system, give the kids a chance to grow.

You can always buy pitching.

I'll give them a pass on Soler since he went four or five years of struggling until he went berserk last year for the Royals, but damn trading Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres....thats going to hurt.

In hindsight but we could of had an outfield of Jimenez, Almora, Happ/Soler.

An infield of Bryant, Baez, Torres and Rizzo.

Contreras catching and Schwarber DHing.

Plus we would have had an absolute mountain of money to spend on starters and closers.

Sigh... I miss talking baseball.

 

[UncleMark]

Well as a cubs fan it's going to make that Jimenez trade much tougher to deal with than it already is (since now Schwarber doesn't need to be in the field).

I think the cubs are again going to prove when you heavily invest in your farm system, give the kids a chance to grow.

You can always buy pitching.

I'll give them a pass on Soler since he went four or five years of struggling until he went berserk last year for the Royals, but damn trading Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres....thats going to hurt.

In hindsight but we could of had an outfield of Jimenez, Almora, Happ/Soler.

An infield of Bryant, Baez, Torres and Rizzo.

Contreras catching and Schwarber DHing.

Plus we would have had an absolute mountain of money to spend on starters and closers.

Sigh... I miss talking baseball.

//could have had

#mypetpeeve

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I have never been a fan of the DH, but I am glad it is finally coming to the NL. Having 2 sets of rules is even worse than the DH.

Pitchers either must now pitch to 3 batters, or to the end of an inning, unless injured. Why do I predict a lot of "injuries" this year? Pitchers are going to fall to the ground screaming like they are soccer players.

That three batter thing will change close game strategy a lot. Some pitchers are lights out against same side batters but get shelled from the other side of the plate.

The expanded rosters are a good idea and should be permanent.

I don't like that starting an inning with a second base runner for extra-inning games either. Maybe okay if the game goes into the 13th inning, but not for the 10th.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

Well as a cubs fan it's going to make that Jimenez trade much tougher to deal with than it already is (since now Schwarber doesn't need to be in the field).

I think the cubs are again going to prove when you heavily invest in your farm system, give the kids a chance to grow.

You can always buy pitching.

I'll give them a pass on Soler since he went four or five years of struggling until he went berserk last year for the Royals, but damn trading Eloy Jimenez and Gleyber Torres....thats going to hurt.

In hindsight but we could of had an outfield of Jimenez, Almora, Happ/Soler.

An infield of Bryant, Baez, Torres and Rizzo.

Contreras catching and Schwarber DHing.

Plus we would have had an absolute mountain of money to spend on starters and closers.

Sigh... I miss talking baseball.

The Cubs suck.

That's all.

 

[outside shooter]

The Cubs suck.

That's all.

Wow. We agree on something!
Purdue sucks too.
And Kentucky.

 

[Univee2]

None of that covers the fact the DH exists and has existed for most of our lives. The choices are, in my order of preference, 1) no DH at all 2) DH everywhere 3) random rules decided by who the home team is. Should we let the home team decide today 2 strikes is enough? Or the home team gets to decide if players have to stand in a circle, or the home team gets to decide if everyone gets a DH.

The day Ron Blomberg walked to the plate was a sad, sad day.

Even as a baseball purist, however, I would enjoy Calvinball immensely. Everything Calvin did was perfection . . .

 

[CO. Hoosier]

The day Ron Blomberg walked to the plate was a sad, sad day.

Even as a baseball purist, however, I would enjoy Calvinball immensely. Everything Calvin did was perfection . . .

Our social and political structure has sunk into insane disorder because rules of common behavior are gone. I need the structure of baseball to provide a refuge into sanity.

 

[Univee2]

Our social and political structure has sunk into insane disorder because rules of common behavior are gone. I need the structure of baseball to provide a refuge into sanity.

I just want to block the plate again and then get into one of those wild baseball donnybrooks.

 

[meridian]

The Cubs suck.

That's all.

Is that news?

 

[meridian]

In this age of specialists, might as well divide a team into two groups: hitters & fielders. In offense, let the hitters hit ; when in defense, send out the fielders on the field!

 

[CO. Hoosier]

Is that news?

As newsy as Vanna White.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I don't like that starting an inning with a second base runner for extra-inning games either. Maybe okay if the game goes into the 13th inning, but not for the 10th.

This is the new rule I do not like. There are not that many 18 inning games.

 

[jsig]

None of that covers the fact the DH exists and has existed for most of our lives. The choices are, in my order of preference, 1) no DH at all 2) DH everywhere 3) random rules decided by who the home team is. Should we let the home team decide today 2 strikes is enough? Or the home team gets to decide if players have to stand in a circle, or the home team gets to decide if everyone gets a DH.

I prefer no DH because it penalizes the pitchers who actually can be 2 way players and who work on hitting though I'm not against DH being a rule. I'm a big Reds fans and prefer the NL style of ball. That said. I have lived in Texas since early 80s. Watch and root for the Rangers a lot more so it's not like the DH has turned me away. In the near 0% chance they met in the WS, I'd go Reds.

I don't care if the home team gets to decide if the DH is a rule in their park and they can build their team accordingly. Why not have 500 foot walls and build your team around speed and pitching and defense and force other teams pitcher to hit.. So I'd make your 2 and 3 the same for me.

What I am not a fan of is putting a runner on 2nd base to start an inning in extras innings. I'd rather the games just end in a tie and be reflected so in the standings somehow. In a normal 162 game season, I think you have enough sample size to fit in ties to the W-L record and still have the best teams in the playoffs.

 

[Univee2]

I prefer no DH because it penalizes the pitchers who actually can be 2 way players and who work on hitting though I'm not against DH being a rule. I'm a big Reds fans and prefer the NL style of ball. That said. I have lived in Texas since early 80s. Watch and root for the Rangers a lot more so it's not like the DH has turned me away. In the near 0% chance they met in the WS, I'd go Reds.

I don't care if the home team gets to decide if the DH is a rule in their park and they can build their team accordingly. Why not have 500 foot walls and build your team around speed and pitching and defense and force other teams pitcher to hit.. So I'd make your 2 and 3 the same for me.

What I am not a fan of is putting a runner on 2nd base to start an inning in extras innings. I'd rather the games just end in a tie and be reflected so in the standings somehow. In a normal 162 game season, I think you have enough sample size to fit in ties to the W-L record and still have the best teams in the playoffs.

Go one extra inning. If the game's still tied each team gets one-half a point. Two tie games in a season give you one "win." Add that "one" to a 90-win season and you end up with 91.

 

[Sope Creek]

In this age of specialists, might as well divide a team into two groups: hitters & fielders. In offense, let the hitters hit ; when in defense, send out the fielders on the field!

We already have two groups, don't we? Pitchers and everybody else . . . ?

 

[Noodle]

The Cubs suck.

That's all.

You're most reasonable and accurate post in months.

 

[Noodle]

I prefer no DH because it penalizes the pitchers who actually can be 2 way players and who work on hitting though I'm not against DH being a rule. I'm a big Reds fans and prefer the NL style of ball. That said. I have lived in Texas since early 80s. Watch and root for the Rangers a lot more so it's not like the DH has turned me away. In the near 0% chance they met in the WS, I'd go Reds.

Interesting that you are a Reds fan given that they have probably used a pitcher as a pinch hitter more than any other NL team over the past 10 years. Does that fade away with the DH (since pitchers will no longer have any need to take BP)?

Me, I'm Tigers and Reds. Tigers by birth, and Reds by transplant.

 

[T.M.P.]

Why stop with just one DH? Why not a DH for Billy Hamilton? A great CF who can't hit his weight. Heck, let Billy then be inserted if his DH gets a hit, which is not a home run, or gets on base due to a walk or an error. Why stop there? How about 9 DHs? An offensive and a defensive rotation.

Let's be bold. Change the game completely. Have a second mound, at 70 feet, for those who can throw over 95 mph. How about no shifts? Each defensive player has to be within his 8-foot diameter circle at the start of each pitch. These circles are the same for every player so that there's a standard shortstop's circle, for example, throughout the league. We can come up with a thousand of these.

Next, there will be Designated Free Throw Shooters. Does Alford have any eligibility left?

dumb

 

[Univee2]

dumb

Okey-dokey, Zippy.

 

[T.M.P.]

Okey-dokey, Zippy.

dumber

 

[jsig]

Interesting that you are a Reds fan given that they have probably used a pitcher as a pinch hitter more than any other NL team over the past 10 years. Does that fade away with the DH (since pitchers will no longer have any need to take BP)?

Me, I'm Tigers and Reds. Tigers by birth, and Reds by transplant.

Was on Tigers bandwagon because they had Sparky and the 84 title team had a lot of guys who played Triple A in Evansville when I was there. Parrish, Morris, petry, Gibby and others.

Got family in Cincy and went there many times during Big Red Machine era. I think one of the better games I saw was Seaver and the Mets vs the Reds.

 

[Univee2]

dumber

Okey-dokey, Zippy.

 

[T.M.P.]

Okey-dokey, Zippy.

dumbest

 

[Cream&Crimson]

I hate the DH. Always have, and didn't mind the difference between the AL and NL on that because I'm a fan of NL teams anyway so it gave me more reason to talk shit about AL teams.

I think it's stupid, and I honestly don't understand the rationale behind it. Never have. I think having weak-hitting pitchers in the batting rotation makes things a little more interesting. And a cool twist when a pitcher can actually hit the ball (Maddox?).

Baseball lost me during the strike season. Been trying to get back and have been watching a lot more games over the past few years, but they may lose me again.

 

[Cream&Crimson]

The Cubs suck.

That's all.

Go Reds!

 

[Univee2]

dumbest

Okey-dokey, Zippy.

 

[TommyCracker]

I hate the DH. Always have, and didn't mind the difference between the AL and NL on that because I'm a fan of NL teams anyway so it gave me more reason to talk shit about AL teams.

I think it's stupid, and I honestly don't understand the rationale behind it. Never have. I think having weak-hitting pitchers in the batting rotation makes things a little more interesting. And a cool twist when a pitcher can actually hit the ball (Maddox?).

Baseball lost me during the strike season. Been trying to get back and have been watching a lot more games over the past few years, but they may lose me again.

I'm a national league guy and I enjoyed the more complex manager decisions that it caused.

Plus I like the purity of the national league. Your nine VS my nine. Simple. Perfect

This talk of banning shifts, etc goes against the purity of the game. If Bryce Harper just wants to pull the ball then that's on him.

Your nine vs my nine.

 

[Cream&Crimson]

Either way, DH or no DH, I miss watching baseball, man...

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I hate the DH. Always have, and didn't mind the difference between the AL and NL on that because I'm a fan of NL teams anyway so it gave me more reason to talk shit about AL teams.

I think it's stupid, and I honestly don't understand the rationale behind it. Never have. I think having weak-hitting pitchers in the batting rotation makes things a little more interesting. And a cool twist when a pitcher can actually hit the ball (Maddox?).

Baseball lost me during the strike season. Been trying to get back and have been watching a lot more games over the past few years, but they may lose me again.

I think many of us think it adds strategy. I think many people are not there for the strategy but more for the video game experience. I think those people skew younger, so the future .

 

[Cream&Crimson]

I think many of us think it adds strategy. I think many people are not there for the strategy but more for the video game experience. I think those people skew younger, so the future .

Agree, I think that must be what this is all about.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

I think many of us think it adds strategy. I think many people are not there for the strategy but more for the video game experience. I think those people skew younger, so the future .

I am in my late 50's and I grew up in an area where everyone was either a Cards fan or a Cubs fan. So, naturally, I became a Reds fan. The point is that all 3 of those teams are NL. I remember thinking the DH was strange, but it was never a big part of my baseball fandom. That being said, I thought (and still do), that this difference between the two leagues was the kind of quirky thing that made baseball more interesting and, well, baseball.
Cool to think of myself as screw...er, skewing younger.

 

[Cream&Crimson]

I am in my late 50's and I grew up in an area where everyone was either a Cards fan or a Cubs fan. So, naturally, I became a Reds fan. The point is that all 3 of those teams are NL. I remember thinking the DH was strange, but it was never a big part of my baseball fandom. That being said, I thought (and still do), that this difference between the two leagues was the kind of quirky thing that made baseball more interesting and, well, baseball.
Cool to think of myself as screw...er, skewing younger.

Exactly.

 

[Marvin the Martian]

I am in my late 50's and I grew up in an area where everyone was either a Cards fan or a Cubs fan. So, naturally, I became a Reds fan. The point is that all 3 of those teams are NL. I remember thinking the DH was strange, but it was never a big part of my baseball fandom. That being said, I thought (and still do), that this difference between the two leagues was the kind of quirky thing that made baseball more interesting and, well, baseball.
Cool to think of myself as screw...er, skewing younger.

I too am a Reds fan. I miss the good old days of hating the Dodgers. Hating the Cubs is like hating the Cleveland Browns.

The problem with the DH is the World Series. It does not make sense to not use the same rules. Imagine if the eastern conference of the NBA had a 3 point shot but not the west. Or the NFC abolished the forward pass but but not the AFC.

 

[T.M.P.]

Okey-dokey, Zippy.

lame

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

I too am a Reds fan. I miss the good old days of hating the Dodgers. Hating the Cubs is like hating the Cleveland Browns.

The problem with the DH is the World Series. It does not make sense to not use the same rules. Imagine if the eastern conference of the NBA had a 3 point shot but not the west. Or the NFC abolished the forward pass but but not the AFC.

While I think your 2 examples are too drastic to be equivalent, I see your point.
Let's go down that road though:
The DH rule is like...
if the Eastern Conference had a 35 second shot clock and the Western Conference had the 24 second shot clock.
???
If the Eastern Conference allowed dunking and the Western Conference did not.
???