The Ideal Format….
After reading everyone’s comments, most recently Merrifields, I’ve come to the same conclusion about the best possible rule changes.
- 5 balls, 2 strikes
- scuffed balls
- unlimited fouls
- 35 mph
- no S&M or 1&D rules
There is no right or wrong answer on the swing and a miss/one and done debate. Everyone has their own personal preferences. To accomodate that best, eliminate both rules from the format. Batters will gain an advantage, but to combat that ptchers will get an extra ball to escape an influx of walks, and they’ll still be using a scuffed ball which increases movement.
As for the speed limit, I think it should still be lowered, b/c we don’t want speed deciding outs. It should be placement and movement. In WIFFLE ball, that’s what sells. Plus, given that it is suppose to be a Gentlemens game, umpired by those playing, making the speed limit more obvious to identify is what’s best. The rule is simply, if it’s too fast to make contact, it was faster than 35mph.
We also talked about making the game more 3-dimensional. To get defense more involved you have to be putting the ball in play more. These new rules will do that. To add incentive and drama to the defense you add double plays. BLWB says you can turn two on any pop up or ground ball, but only if someone is on base. That’s already more than most formats, but if games are running too long b/c of the new rules, then one thing to look at is being able to turn two on anything, even if no one is on base. If nothing else, it makes every put out more exciting. Only thing I wouldn’t like is a DP off of a weak grounder 10 feet in front of the plate. Nor do I like the idea of winning a game on a ball that stops 10 feet from the plate. Nothing generates more arguments then, it stopped! No it didn’t!
Keep your comments coming. I’m not the one who decides the rules, Nick and Jared are and this post should give them something more to think about.
