MLB 2025 World Series

F Me In The Brain

mrussel1 said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Solution for shift is to see more people bunt/slap against them.  People want to hit homers, though.  Ridiculous.

I don't see how you can outlaw it -- guys just need to focus on 'hitting it where they aint'.

That's right.. hell, we learned how to drive the ball the other way at 12 years old.  Just close that stance, or move up in the box.  There are certain fundamentals that are better executed in high school and college than in the MLB these days.  Bunting is one of those, particularly in the junior circuit.  It's just terrible watching these guys do it.  

Saw someone bunt with 2 strikes and the shift on against them last week when we went to Phillies/Yankees.  It was a Phillie but I forget who.  They could have walked to first.

If I were a hitter it would frustrate me enough to see the fielders camped where I tended to hit the ball and taking away lots of hits to bunt/slap for a while. 

HesCalledDyer

F Me In The Brain said:

Solution for shift is to see more people bunt/slap against them.  People want to hit homers, though.  Ridiculous.

I don't see how you can outlaw it -- guys just need to focus on 'hitting it where they aint'.

Especially if you're winning the game already.  Watch how quickly the defensive team gets butt-hurt because of some stupid "unwritten rule" that you don't try to get more men on base when you're already up.  Don't like it, don't shift.

Cliffy6745

mrussel1 said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Solution for shift is to see more people bunt/slap against them.  People want to hit homers, though.  Ridiculous.

I don't see how you can outlaw it -- guys just need to focus on 'hitting it where they aint'.

That's right.. hell, we learned how to drive the ball the other way at 12 years old.  Just close that stance, or move up in the box.  There are certain fundamentals that are better executed in high school and college than in the MLB these days.  Bunting is one of those, particularly in the junior circuit.  It's just terrible watching these guys do it.  

The thing is, these guys have literally never bunted in their lives.  Not trying to make excuses but these guys were always the best of the best in every league they have ever played in and would never really have been asked to bunt.

mrussel1

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Solution for shift is to see more people bunt/slap against them.  People want to hit homers, though.  Ridiculous.

I don't see how you can outlaw it -- guys just need to focus on 'hitting it where they aint'.

That's right.. hell, we learned how to drive the ball the other way at 12 years old.  Just close that stance, or move up in the box.  There are certain fundamentals that are better executed in high school and college than in the MLB these days.  Bunting is one of those, particularly in the junior circuit.  It's just terrible watching these guys do it.  

The thing is, these guys have literally never bunted in their lives.  Not trying to make excuses but these guys were always the best of the best in every league they have ever played in and would never really have been asked to bunt.

Hasn't that always been true of major league players?  And they used to be able to bunt.  I feel like it's up to the farm system to continue working on the fundamentals so they are better prepared for the show.  I also have seen a deterioration in base running fundamentals.  You see runners failing to pick up the third base coach when the ball is behind them ALL the time now.  They are head down running.  I wonder if they are more concerned about their OPS.  

Cliffy6745

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Solution for shift is to see more people bunt/slap against them.  People want to hit homers, though.  Ridiculous.

I don't see how you can outlaw it -- guys just need to focus on 'hitting it where they aint'.

That's right.. hell, we learned how to drive the ball the other way at 12 years old.  Just close that stance, or move up in the box.  There are certain fundamentals that are better executed in high school and college than in the MLB these days.  Bunting is one of those, particularly in the junior circuit.  It's just terrible watching these guys do it.  

The thing is, these guys have literally never bunted in their lives.  Not trying to make excuses but these guys were always the best of the best in every league they have ever played in and would never really have been asked to bunt.

Hasn't that always been true of major league players?  And they used to be able to bunt.  I feel like it's up to the farm system to continue working on the fundamentals so they are better prepared for the show.  I also have seen a deterioration in base running fundamentals.  You see runners failing to pick up the third base coach when the ball is behind them ALL the time now.  They are head down running.  I wonder if they are more concerned about their OPS.  

Fair point. 

Cliffy6745

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Shift rules. The best rule possible is 4 people gotta be touching the dirt. It’s perfect. Baseball has 4 infielders

edit: said it before buster 

Only if you are saying that vs. the outfield grass.  3rd and/or 1st baseman need to be able to play in for a bunt.  

I don't like the shifts either.  But what is the problem statement that we're trying to solve?  Are runs per game down?  I didn't think so.  The shift is leading to hitters trying to elevate the ball which is leading to more strikeouts.  Is that what we want to stop...all the strikeouts?  I don't think we want to curb home runs.  Everyone loves that.  

outfield grass for sure.  No more of that softball beer league extra outfielder in MLB.

I think the issue is a lack of base runners and hits.  No?  Not curb home runs, but more action on the bases. 

pjhawks

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Shift rules. The best rule possible is 4 people gotta be touching the dirt. It’s perfect. Baseball has 4 infielders

edit: said it before buster 

Only if you are saying that vs. the outfield grass.  3rd and/or 1st baseman need to be able to play in for a bunt.  

I don't like the shifts either.  But what is the problem statement that we're trying to solve?  Are runs per game down?  I didn't think so.  The shift is leading to hitters trying to elevate the ball which is leading to more strikeouts.  Is that what we want to stop...all the strikeouts?  I don't think we want to curb home runs.  Everyone loves that.  

outfield grass for sure.  No more of that softball beer league extra outfielder in MLB.

I think the issue is a lack of base runners and hits.  No?  Not curb home runs, but more action on the bases. 

But are all the dirt infields the same size?  For some reason i thought before they weren't necessarily uniform.  if you are going to have a shift rule I think the rule should be you need to have 2 guys left of 2nd base and 2 guys right of 2nd base in the infield. they can move over to almost 2nd base but they can't go past it.  like the DH  the infield shifts are just bad for the game. 

Cliffy6745

pjhawks said:

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Shift rules. The best rule possible is 4 people gotta be touching the dirt. It’s perfect. Baseball has 4 infielders

edit: said it before buster 

Only if you are saying that vs. the outfield grass.  3rd and/or 1st baseman need to be able to play in for a bunt.  

I don't like the shifts either.  But what is the problem statement that we're trying to solve?  Are runs per game down?  I didn't think so.  The shift is leading to hitters trying to elevate the ball which is leading to more strikeouts.  Is that what we want to stop...all the strikeouts?  I don't think we want to curb home runs.  Everyone loves that.  

outfield grass for sure.  No more of that softball beer league extra outfielder in MLB.

I think the issue is a lack of base runners and hits.  No?  Not curb home runs, but more action on the bases. 

But are all the dirt infields the same size?  For some reason i thought before they weren't necessarily uniform.  if you are going to have a shift rule I think the rule should be you need to have 2 guys left of 2nd base and 2 guys right of 2nd base in the infield. they can move over to almost 2nd base but they can't go past it.  like the DH  the infield shifts are just bad for the game. 

Yeah, because it was so much fun to watch pitchers bat last week at CBP.  

I assume they are all the same size, but I don't know.  I don't love the 2 sides of the infield thing.  I don't know why, but it just kinda feels like it goes against something.

tempo_n_groove

F Me In The Brain said:

Solution for shift is to see more people bunt/slap against them.  People want to hit homers, though.  Ridiculous.

I don't see how you can outlaw it -- guys just need to focus on 'hitting it where they aint'.

Wee Willie Keller said that.

F Me In The Brain

tempo_n_groove said:

F Me In The Brain said:

Solution for shift is to see more people bunt/slap against them.  People want to hit homers, though.  Ridiculous.

I don't see how you can outlaw it -- guys just need to focus on 'hitting it where they aint'.

Wee Willie Keller said that.

I always liked that saying. 

pjhawks

Cliffy6745 said:

pjhawks said:

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Shift rules. The best rule possible is 4 people gotta be touching the dirt. It’s perfect. Baseball has 4 infielders

edit: said it before buster 

Only if you are saying that vs. the outfield grass.  3rd and/or 1st baseman need to be able to play in for a bunt.  

I don't like the shifts either.  But what is the problem statement that we're trying to solve?  Are runs per game down?  I didn't think so.  The shift is leading to hitters trying to elevate the ball which is leading to more strikeouts.  Is that what we want to stop...all the strikeouts?  I don't think we want to curb home runs.  Everyone loves that.  

outfield grass for sure.  No more of that softball beer league extra outfielder in MLB.

I think the issue is a lack of base runners and hits.  No?  Not curb home runs, but more action on the bases. 

But are all the dirt infields the same size?  For some reason i thought before they weren't necessarily uniform.  if you are going to have a shift rule I think the rule should be you need to have 2 guys left of 2nd base and 2 guys right of 2nd base in the infield. they can move over to almost 2nd base but they can't go past it.  like the DH  the infield shifts are just bad for the game. 

Yeah, because it was so much fun to watch pitchers bat last week at CBP.  

I assume they are all the same size, but I don't know.  I don't love the 2 sides of the infield thing.  I don't know why, but it just kinda feels like it goes against something.

i threw that DH thing in there specifically for you.  must have sucked to have your manager actually have to make a decision during a game.

agree on the outfield thing that you said.  it's annoying to see a 2nd baseman playing short right field.  i'm kind of on the fence about putting in a rule to be honest. i go back and forth on it.  i hate that they might have to but the shift is killing the single.

Cliffy6745

pjhawks said:

Cliffy6745 said:

pjhawks said:

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Shift rules. The best rule possible is 4 people gotta be touching the dirt. It’s perfect. Baseball has 4 infielders

edit: said it before buster 

Only if you are saying that vs. the outfield grass.  3rd and/or 1st baseman need to be able to play in for a bunt.  

I don't like the shifts either.  But what is the problem statement that we're trying to solve?  Are runs per game down?  I didn't think so.  The shift is leading to hitters trying to elevate the ball which is leading to more strikeouts.  Is that what we want to stop...all the strikeouts?  I don't think we want to curb home runs.  Everyone loves that.  

outfield grass for sure.  No more of that softball beer league extra outfielder in MLB.

I think the issue is a lack of base runners and hits.  No?  Not curb home runs, but more action on the bases. 

But are all the dirt infields the same size?  For some reason i thought before they weren't necessarily uniform.  if you are going to have a shift rule I think the rule should be you need to have 2 guys left of 2nd base and 2 guys right of 2nd base in the infield. they can move over to almost 2nd base but they can't go past it.  like the DH  the infield shifts are just bad for the game. 

Yeah, because it was so much fun to watch pitchers bat last week at CBP.  

I assume they are all the same size, but I don't know.  I don't love the 2 sides of the infield thing.  I don't know why, but it just kinda feels like it goes against something.

i threw that DH thing in there specifically for you.  must have sucked to have your manager actually have to make a decision during a game.

agree on the outfield thing that you said.  it's annoying to see a 2nd baseman playing short right field.  i'm kind of on the fence about putting in a rule to be honest. i go back and forth on it.  i hate that they might have to but the shift is killing the single.

I am the DH guy round these parts, so fair.  It did suck.  It sucked the most for you guys. Think I remember a scenario where you got 2 on with 2 outs early on and boom, inning over.  What fun is that?

Yeah, man.  How many times are old school singles snagged up these days.  SINGLE UP THE MID....nope an out.  Yanks do pretty well with that, but yeah. I don't know what the solution is, but would definitely like more hits.  

tempo_n_groove

Cliffy6745 said:

pjhawks said:

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Shift rules. The best rule possible is 4 people gotta be touching the dirt. It’s perfect. Baseball has 4 infielders

edit: said it before buster 

Only if you are saying that vs. the outfield grass.  3rd and/or 1st baseman need to be able to play in for a bunt.  

I don't like the shifts either.  But what is the problem statement that we're trying to solve?  Are runs per game down?  I didn't think so.  The shift is leading to hitters trying to elevate the ball which is leading to more strikeouts.  Is that what we want to stop...all the strikeouts?  I don't think we want to curb home runs.  Everyone loves that.  

outfield grass for sure.  No more of that softball beer league extra outfielder in MLB.

I think the issue is a lack of base runners and hits.  No?  Not curb home runs, but more action on the bases. 

But are all the dirt infields the same size?  For some reason i thought before they weren't necessarily uniform.  if you are going to have a shift rule I think the rule should be you need to have 2 guys left of 2nd base and 2 guys right of 2nd base in the infield. they can move over to almost 2nd base but they can't go past it.  like the DH  the infield shifts are just bad for the game. 

Yeah, because it was so much fun to watch pitchers bat last week at CBP.  

I assume they are all the same size, but I don't know.  I don't love the 2 sides of the infield thing.  I don't know why, but it just kinda feels like it goes against something.

I'm not a fan of that idea either.

Let them shift and let the batter do
A- hit the other way or
B- lay down a bunt

Hell when they did it to Ted Williams he took it as an insult and hit at them in the shift, sometime bunting and STILL hit .406!

Cliffy6745

I hate bunting.  I hate pitchers batting. Bronx Bombers, baby.  None of this small ball crap.

JD Martinez and Judge are never going to bunt.  It's just not going to happen.

Wobbie

I believe bonds had one sac bunt in his 20 year career.

tempo_n_groove

Cliffy6745 said:

I hate bunting.  I hate pitchers batting. Bronx Bombers, baby.  None of this small ball crap.

JD Martinez and Judge are never going to bunt.  It's just not going to happen.

They also aren't pulling a shift on them either.

I do miss the art of the stolen base though.  Give me Vince Coleman in his first 3 years any day!

HesCalledDyer

Michael Lorenzen homered in 3 straight at-bats, including a grand slam as a pinch-hitter last week.  Anthony DeSclafani, another Reds pitcher, hit a grand slam against the Cubs last Sunday.  Jon Lester had the GWRBI with a 3-run shot in the 2nd yesterday and leads all ML pitchers with 7 RBI.  Max Scherzer is batting .250 and tied for the ML lead with 9 hits as a pitcher, Zach Greinke (also 9 hits) has a .300/.364/.400/.764 slash line with 3 walks and 2 stolen bases, German Marquez has 9 hits for the Rockies.

Fuck the DH.

mrussel1

tempo_n_groove said:

Cliffy6745 said:

I hate bunting.  I hate pitchers batting. Bronx Bombers, baby.  None of this small ball crap.

JD Martinez and Judge are never going to bunt.  It's just not going to happen.

They also aren't pulling a shift on them either.

I do miss the art of the stolen base though.  Give me Vince Coleman in his first 3 years any day!

This has been a big change in baseball too.  You no longer have light hitting speed guys in the lineup.  They are a dead breed.  So you have bad bunting, no base stealing and bad moving of the runners from station to station.  Vince Coleman probably wouldn't get a sniff anymore.  Kenny Lofton may not have as well.  Lead off guys hit for power.  

mrussel1

Cliffy6745 said:

mrussel1 said:

Cliffy6745 said:

Shift rules. The best rule possible is 4 people gotta be touching the dirt. It’s perfect. Baseball has 4 infielders

edit: said it before buster 

Only if you are saying that vs. the outfield grass.  3rd and/or 1st baseman need to be able to play in for a bunt.  

I don't like the shifts either.  But what is the problem statement that we're trying to solve?  Are runs per game down?  I didn't think so.  The shift is leading to hitters trying to elevate the ball which is leading to more strikeouts.  Is that what we want to stop...all the strikeouts?  I don't think we want to curb home runs.  Everyone loves that.  

outfield grass for sure.  No more of that softball beer league extra outfielder in MLB.

I think the issue is a lack of base runners and hits.  No?  Not curb home runs, but more action on the bases. 

I agree that the lack of base runners sucks.  The other day the Tribe had two hits... two solo shots by Lindor and Ramirez.  Ton of outfield fly outs.  

F Me In The Brain

My favorite team, the Redlegs, are 16-6 since June 10, tied for best record in the bigs.  Their pitching is dogshit....but a fun team that I thought was going to finish how they started.  Not the case.
Makes it fun.