Guys no longer look to go the other way everyone’s trying to pull the ball and drive it. The shift was the obvious solution towards that tendency across the league. While I don’t like it personally its easy to see why it’s the trend. Learn to take the ball the other way and defenses will have no choice but respect the option. Based on the spray charts it’s pretty easy to see what hitters are doing but legislating it out of the game isn’t really the answer imo.
I like it . It adds a whole new look to the game. They are professionals learn to hit the other way. I think the people that have problems with it they're the ones that are behind on the analytics of baseball.
I hope they do make a rule. Cut the field in half, home plate to center field, the only players allowed to play either side of that line before the ball is pitched is the center fielder, pitcher, and catcher. I’m tired of seeing second baseman playing right field.
The shift is part of the scouting and strategy. If the player does not like it, learn to hit to the opposite field, or bunt down the open line. I think it is great. Do it until the player makes you stop it by adapting.
If they want to do something to improve the game limit the number of times a batter or pitcher can call time. Each gets 3 per at bat no matter if 2 or 20 pitch at bat. Once pitcher steps on the rubber the ball should go to home or to a base with a runner. Once batter is in box he should wait for a pitch. If 4th timeout for pitcher it is a walk or an out if batter. I love baseball but have a hard time watching much because of the constant delay.
Of course it could just be me and everyone else likes it[emoji2957]
The shift is part of the scouting and strategy. If the player does not like it, learn to hit to the opposite field, or bunt down the open line. I think it is great. Do it until the player makes you stop it by adapting.
I used to feel the same way but it seems teams are more content with players who hit 40 homers and hit .190 (Joey Gallo). Gallo could literally tap the ball anywhere on the left side of the field and reach first every at bat. He rarely tries it
Hope not. My opinion doesn't carry much weight, as I only catch a few games a year, usually once the playoffs start. So given my view point, its a weird rule to put in place. It would be kind of like saying, in football a corner has to stay on one side of the field, or a corner can't blitz... only Safeties... Just weird to me. Maybe my baseball IQ is too low to appreciate though.
A little torn about this. I believe the motivation is to allow for the production of more offense and, thus, more scoring and entertainment for fans. We've seen it in other sports -- look at the NBA, where zone defense is not allowed, or, the many rules changes favoring offense in football. I'm torn because my son is a college pitcher, who hopes to play at the next level, and more defense is sort of a good thing for him.
However, speaking objectively, I agree with those who say: "make the hitters adjust, forcing the defenses to cover the whole field again."
In another area: how about doing away with the Designated Hitter?
I used to feel the same way but it seems teams are more content with players who hit 40 homers and hit .190 (Joey Gallo). Gallo could literally tap the ball anywhere on the left side of the field and reach first every at bat. He rarely tries it
Ya but if teams keep using the shift this mindset may likely change.
I dont understand why the MLB could/would have any say so in how a team plays defense??? The game is all about getting the other team out and not letting them score the best way you possibly can. For all the pull hitters that cant hit oppo even if they try, the shift is THE answer. As dumb as I thought it was when I first saw it, I really like it now.
I pretty much agree with most here so far. I believe when ever you are on defense it is your job to put yourself in the best position to make a play on the ball. When you are on offense (hitter), it’s your job to put the ball where the defense is not. I know there’s more to the game than what I stated above, but that is it in a nut shell. I believe they should leave the shift in the game.
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