MLB rule changes may lead to chaos
As Major League Baseball camps open, the biggest story by far is about rule changes. They’re significant in a way that could reshape the game. The pitch clock, bigger bases and limiting infield shifts received most of the attention before MLB announced that umpires will be stricter in how they call balks. Along with the pitch clock, this guarantees some chaos. Games could be lost because of both the pitch clock and balk rules.
This season, a pitcher’s disengagement with the rubber in various situations will lead to balks that weren’t called before. The new emphasis might also impact pitchers with unorthodox windups. They could be cited for an illegal pitch even with nobody on base, resulting in a ball added to the count. Some pitchers will have to change their deliveries. Expect fireworks.
Quotable: Red Sox manager Alex Cora, on the larger MLB bases: “They look like a pizza box.”
Here to stay: Never thought the “ghost runner” at second base during extra innings would become a fixture in big-league baseball, but I don’t hate it.
Captive audience: With
113 million viewers, the
Super Bowl was the thirdmost-watched TV show ever, while not for the first time “Norfolk” (greater Hampton Roads) placed among the top 10 markets (No. 7, between Milwaukee and Charlotte) for a big sporting event. It’s to be expected that the six markets topping Sunday’s ratings are NFL cities. “Norfolk” might surprise some people, but it shouldn’t. When it comes to watching TV, this market punches above its weight.
Waiting game: NFL insiders report that Dan Snyder’s sale of the Commanders to one of two final bidders is imminent. We’ll see. Speaking of problematic timetables, it’s been a full year since the start of Mary Joe White’s investigation into Snyder’s organization. Shouldn’t there be a report by now? Assuming the NFL would release it.
On their way: With two Super Bowl victories and three Super Bowl appearances in four years, the Chiefs are dynasty-lite.
Outside the lines: The Super Bowl would have been a better show had Chris
Stapleton handled both the national anthem and halftime.
Must be the shoes: “Air,” the new movie by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, depicts events that led to Nike using a young Michael Jordan to endorse its overpriced shoes and help explode the brand. Wonder if Asian sweatshops made it into the script.
Cha-ching: Maybe no Super Bowl quarterback has earned himself more money in a losing cause than Jalen Hurts did in Arizona.
Quick change: Notice how fast media pivoted from Patrick Mahomes’ legacy to where Aaron Rodgers will play next. There is no offseason in the NFL.
Amusing: Keep something in mind when insiders and
other talking heads appraise the hiring of a first-time NFL head coach. They haven’t a clue. History shows that nobody does.
Moving up: It’s been an unusual rise for Joe Mazzulla, who at 34 has been named head coach of the league-leading Celtics following a successful interim period. His only previous head coaching experience was two seasons at Division II Fairmont State.
Listen up: If you watch Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, don’t complain that the players didn’t take it seriously. You know going in that it’s a clown show.