The Defense is just doing their job, playing him where he hits the ball. Hit the ball the other way or bunt it down the opposite field line a few times and they'll stop shifting on you.
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We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing.
I agree Pat. Might as well tell the analytics department to go home. Shifts were created by them. Its a chess game on the field. Now the offense has to counter. If Joey lays one down the third base line a few times, hell open up the shift, and probably still lead the league in strikeouts..
Looks like the shift may be banned after all ... along with a time clock and bigger bases.
What exactly is the point of a bigger base? To make it tougher to tag the runner trying to reach the base so that the umps can spend any time saved by the pitch clock staring at screens reviewing close plays on the base paths?
-- Edited by johnc on Tuesday 8th of March 2022 08:45:07 AM
Gosh ! If the majors are going to have bigger bases then I suppose CDMSBL could mandate that we use mattresses for our bases. At least in the 55s and 62s. Sure would make it safer diving back on pick off attempts. I was also wondering, if the bases are going to be larger inMLB, will they increase the size of home plate by the same percentage ? Seems only fair and logical. Perhaps increase the circumference of the ball as well, bring in the fences, shorten the base paths, and increase the distance from the mound to home. And then a few more fan friendly changes next year.
Major League Baseball just loves fixing all the problems they dont have.
Pro baseball is a joke. Of all the issues with the game losing popularity and relevance, they decide that the bases were too small and defensive strategy was too good and thats going to solve everything.