New rule in WBC -- not a fan

[InsomniacInkRoss]

http://sports.espn.go.com...009/news/story?id=3870558

 

Extra innings starting with the 13th will begin with 2 runners on base.

 

Just not a fan, If you are gonna do this thing, do it right. Just my opinion.

[phxMILWfan]

Kinda dumb, but with the pitch counts being enforced, something has to be done to avoid running out of arms and ending in a tie. It doesn't mention who the runners would be. Would the team get to decide or would it be the last two batters from the previous inning?

[orca1963]

I know, we could make them "ghost runners", then after the game everyone gets a trophy and we all go out for cookies and ice cream.

[endaround]

Its likely he Olympic tiebreaking rules where the team puts two guys on and then who ever hits after them would hit.

[Fatter than Joey]

Extra innings starting with the 13th will begin with 2 runners on base.

 

This is how little league tourneys are often played.... and the point is to maintain pitch counts and preserve arms. Usually the first 2 guys up in the inning go to 1st and and 2nd. I understand that the integrity of the game isn't maintained -- but you don't want to have pitching injuries at the WBC.

[Patrick425]

Yeah, as FTJ stated, this is similar to what a lot of youth baseball tournaments do. Generally, it's referred to as the "California tie-breaker rule". However, instead of guys on 1st and 2nd, each team starts their half inning with a runner on 2nd. The runner is usually the player that made the last out in the previous inning.

[Fatter than Joey]

Yeah, as FTJ stated, this is similar to what a lot of youth baseball tournaments do. Generally, it's referred to as the "California tie-breaker rule". However, instead of guys on 1st and 2nd, each team starts their half inning with a runner on 2nd.

 

I've seen it where they start the inning with the bases loaded, it varies. It is sort of silly -- but those pitch counts in youth tourneys are extremely rigid -- and probably for good reason.

 

The runner is usually the player that made the last out in the previous inning.

 

Right, this is more correct than what I said, generally it is the players that made the last outs, or may have been on base prior to the inning ending.

[rluzinski]

I wouldn't mind if they did this in the majors, (for regular season games), starting with the 11th inning, or something along those lines. The fact that a significant number of fans leave extra inning games should tell you how exciting the current format is. I know, MLB isn't allowed to change rules. It's was perfected 90 years ago! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Fatter than Joey]

I wouldn't mind if they did this in the majors, (for regular season games), starting with the 11th inning, or something along those lines.

 

There would probably be some benefits to doing this. I would not be altogether opposed -- scoring would be a nightmare.

[Invader3K]

Didn't they do this last time too, though?

[topper09er]

I wouldn't mind if they did this in the majors, (for regular season games), starting with the 11th inning, or something along those lines. The fact that a significant number of fans leave extra inning games should tell you how exciting the current format is. I know, MLB isn't allowed to change rules. It's was perfected 90 years ago! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

Seriously?!?!? If you are a real baseball fan then you should support the integrity of the game rather than trying to attract a few fare weather fans who like to see dingers.

 

Also, now the WBC classic is a joke and no one will take it seriously or care about the results or get really excited to watch it. It is a total exhibition now, which is too bad because if it could somehow even come close to something like the world cup in the future that would be awesome, but now it looks like 10 years from now it might not even exist / have even more little league rules and be terrible.

[CheezWizHed]

Just change it to Home-Run derby /sudden death rules:

1) You provide your own pitcher.

2) Each player gets one swing

3) Each team alternates "at-bats"

4) Each player on the field at the end of the 12th must be used, but you decide the order (i.e. send Fielder up first, Craig Counsell up last)

5) First time a player from one team doesn't hit a homer, when the corresponding team does hit one, decides the game.

I'd root for ties! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Ennder]

Seriously?!?!? If you are a real baseball fan then you should support the integrity of the game rather than trying to attract a few fare weather fans who like to see dingers.

 

I think that was his point about baseball not being allowed to change the rules. Sports evolve, the integrity of the game is just something people use as an excuse to not change things like say arguing to get rid of the DH.

 

Personally I wouldn't want to see this done in the majors but I could really care less about the WBC so I'm fine with it for that.

[joepepsi]

Really, I don't care what they do with the WBC. It is a contrived joke that gets in the way of Spring Training.

[rluzinski]

I think the integrity of baseball was ruined when they stopped allowing batters to call for a high or low pitch. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

As my previous post achnowledged, I realize a significant portion of the baseball fanbase think the game is perfect the way it is. I happen to disagree strongly but I realize the chance of any major rule change is remote. I'm just glad that my next favorite sport (football) allows itself to evolve as needed.

[RightFieldCoder]

IIRC, this is the rule of the Olympics Baseball (RIP). This is rule that many different baseball organizations have. Since this is the WBC, and not a MLB game, why do we assume they must use every and only MLB rules? Unless they are trying to change the rules of MLB, this does not take away from the game. This is a rule you know about going into the game and agreed to by the countries that play. It also adds a little more strategy. Alex Sanchez is in the on deck circle with two outs and nobody on. If you get the batter out he'll start next inning on 2nd. What do you do?

[Fatter than Joey]

Since this is the WBC, and not a MLB game, why do we assume they must use every and only MLB rules?

 

Great point -- furthermore -- the players are not getting paid to be in WBC (are they?), if not, why should they blow out their arms in the process. It's like having overtime in pre-season NFL games, there is no point in it.

 

Personally I wouldn't want to see this done in the majors

 

I could do without it in the majors, but I certainly think there is merit to the idea of reducing 11+ inning games -- its worth exploring. What benefit is there in an 18 inning game? Watching Jeff Cirillo pitch? Ned Yost making his catcher catch all 18 innings? Sitting at the stadium for 5 hours? Brian Shouse going 3+ IP? Having no BP for the next 3 games? Injuries? Roster moves?

 

but I could really care less about the WBC so I'm fine with it for that.

 

Im not a big fan of the WBC -- but certainly there are players that I care about participating -- I certainly care about Yo's pitch counts in the WBC, and am glad to see that there are measures in place to safeguard injury.

[diener34]

I agree, if it saves Yo's arm, I am all for it.

 

The WBC is still in its infant stages anyway, I'd rather see them try things like this now than to have a situation come up and have some forced to break a tie.

[mothershipconnection]

The U.S. needs to make sure their rotation is Maddux, Kenny Rogers, and Mike Mussina as soon as they adopt the "pitcher's hand" rule.

[ILuvDaBush]

So innings could end in one pitch? Imagine having Carlos Lee or Miggy Cabrera clogging up the basepaths to BEGIN the inning.

[temke]

I know, MLB isn't allowed to change rules. It's was perfected 90 years ago! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

they can only change the rules when a unilateral decision is made by the commissioner in the middle of the world series! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[SeriesFinale]

Also, now the WBC classic is a joke and no one will take it seriously or care about the results or get really excited to watch it. It is a total exhibition now, which is too bad because if it could somehow even come close to something like the world cup in the future that would be awesome...

Two of the last four World Cup finals have been decided on free kicks after overtime.

 

This departure from "the integrity of the game" doesn't seem to have affected the world's abilty to take it seriously or get really excited about it.

[DSFastball55]

I don't see why all the hate for the WBC, I thought it was pretty cool last time and I'm very much looking forward to it. As for this rule, I wouldn't be surprised if it was something requested by MLB anyway to limit pitching injuries.

[crewcrazy]

The rule change doesn't bother me. It's still semi-competitive baseball in the Spring, and I'll still watch it. Americans may think it's boring, but we've never been ones to take international competition seriously, anyway. I have a lot of fun just watching the fans of the other countries completely digging the idea of the competition and coming up with chants and ringing cowbells and all that fun stuff. They love baseball so much they don't care what form it's played in (not to imply that those who aren't in favor of the WBC don't love baseball -- my point is that their enthusiasm for the game is unmatched).

[joepepsi]

Anybody watching the Carribean(or whatever it's called) playoffs on MLB? It's pretty cool, I think.