Players shut out of discussions
Committee to tweak rules excludes key group: active rosters
the players won’t get on board or are going to complain about it. You just hope it’s something we can all agree upon.
“Everyone across the board can agree that we want the best product. Whether anyone wants to own up to it or not, we all make more money if the product is better — the players, the owners, everybody. Ideally we want the best product, and if that means speeding up the game, we have to look into things that make that happen.”
Cubs President Theo Epstein, one of the committee members, declined to discuss his opinion on any possible rules changes he favors. But based on earlier statements, including implementing the designated-hitter rule in the National League, it’s fair to say he’s probably a progressive regarding potential changes.
Epstein said change is coming and that Manfred is just making sure it’s an inclusive procedure.
“The commissioner recognizes tradition is a fundamentally important part of the game, and we have to respect that and respect the history of the game,” Epstein said.
“(But) the game changes over time, so it’s important to be thoughtful of how it changes. You can sort of steer changes that make it continue to be a compelling product for fans. If it’s going to change anyway, better to be thoughtful.”
Pitch clocks, mound-visit limitations and raising the strike zone are among the issues that may be debated. Raising the lower part of the strike zone to the top of the hitters’ knees already has been speculated, though that would spark plenty of arguments among players.
“Manfred has mentioned he thinks making the strike zone smaller will speed up the game,” Miller said. “I’d be shocked if that works. To me, the whole issue is we need more action. I don’t think strikeouts are bad (for the game). Big shocker there. But a strikeout is an exciting outcome. It may not be as exciting as a double in the gap or a diving play in the hole, but it’s not a walk or a 12-pitch at-bat.
“A lot of the conclusions we’ve reached from all different directions aren’t based on any sort of statistical findings or any research. They’re kind of hunches. If we’re going to make drastic changes, we probably should have some firm evidence.”
Joe Maddon was not one of the four managers (Buck Showalter, Dave Roberts, Joe Girardi, Mike Matheny) invited to participate. Maddon recently voiced his disdain for recent rules changes regarding takeout slides and blocking home plate as unnecessary. Epstein didn’t know who picked the managers but said Maddon’s views had nothing to do with his absence.
The big change implemented in 2017 was holding up four fingers for an intentional walk instead of having to throw the pitches. It has no real effect on game times but serves as proof that MLB is willing to toss out a rule that had lasted for more than a century.
Basically, MLB wants to speed up the time it takes for batters to get into the box between pitches, for pitchers to throw the pitch and for pitching changes. Fans get distracted when the lulls occur, and since the iPhone was invented in 2007, they now have something to look at instead of the game.
“To me, that’s the biggest thing,” Miller said. “Everybody has a powerful computer sitting in their lap to distract them. We’re going to lose fans, even if they come to the ballpark now, who spend their whole time playing ‘Angry Birds’ on their phones or Facebooking or whatever. We’re going to lose them down the road eventually.
“They’ll say, ‘You know, I went to the game and I didn’t pay any attention. It was boring. I sat there on my phone the whole time.’ That’s when it’s going to bite you in the butt later on.
“But it’s good we’re talking about it, and we’re not ignoring it, and we’re not behind on the issue.” TOUCHING ’EM ALL
Brewers rebuild ahead of schedule, and Counsell doing it lately without his top hitter, Ryan Braun.
Perennial MVP candidate hit five home runs in six games, remains early leader in WAR (2.8).
BPOP (Best pitcher on planet) has seven victories, strikeouts-to-walks ratio of nearly 8-1 and 0.89 WHIP.