OFF DAY NONSENSE

[roger_that]

What is the worst innovation in baseball (rules, practices, league configurations, anything) since you started following the game? I've followed the game for a long while (I'm old, but spry) so I'll go back to 8-team leagues, way before the Mets drafted Hobie Landrith, but I think my own personal worst innovation is the DH, which insults my sense of balance, of there being a price to pay for defensive inadequacies. Just pisses me off.



But there are others, just not on that DH-offensiveness level. The ghost runner burns me up big time. The automatic IBB is a small irritant. Cast your ballot here.



There will be a Part Two to this thread, the best innovations, but for now, name your poison.

[MFS62]

The most traumatic to me was moving my team from Brooklyn.

But strictly speaking of an innovation, the DH.

Later

Edited April 24, 2025 by Guest

[DocTee]

The ghost runner is deplorable. I am also not a huge fan of inter-league play.



On the other hand, I love the steps MLB has taken to quicken the pace of play: pitch clocks and limits on mound visits are great (the MFY were the worst in having conferences after each batter, it seemed).

[roger_that]

Hold your horses on stuff you like, please. Maybe I should turn this one into a poll? Maybe I'll do that once we have enough nominees--I can't imagine everything that everyone despises.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think we had a thread about this. (I'm probably the one most likely to remember it because I think I started it.) I'll have to see if I can find it.



The DH is awful, but the ghost runner is worse.

[Benjamin Grimm]

This is from the thread that discussed the proposed "Golden At Bat". https://phpbb3.leaptoad.com/mets/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33980Golden AT-Bat "buzz"

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I thought of twenty changes that have come to the game since I started watching in 1971, including two changes that have since been rescinded and the one that is being proposed here. I ranked them from best to worst. I'm not including changes to free agency, drafts, compensation, arbitration, trade deadlines, waiver rules, qualifying offers, injured list, etc. I limited it to things that more directly affect what happens during the game and how the postseason field is determined. The first section are things that I feel mostly positive about. The middle section is where I'm more or less neutral. And the bottom section are things that I feel mostly (or entirely) negative out. Please feel free to chime in with your own rankings! Pitch Clock Expansion of Wild Card Round from Best-of-One to Best-of-Three 26-man roster Expansion of LCS from Best-of-Five to Best-of-Seven Three-batter minimum Instant Replay Shift ban Limit on mound visits Larger bases Sticky-finger checks Interleague play {DEFUNCT: All-Star Game determines World Series home-field advantage} {DEFUNCT: Optional 24-man roster} Limit on pickoff attempts Introduction of Wild Card, change from four divisions to six Introduction of Second Wild Card Introduction of Third Wild Card Designated Hitter Ghost Runner Golden At-bat

[kcmets]

The ghost runner is an insulting abomination that must cease.

[roger_that]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This is from the thread that discussed the proposed "Golden At Bat". https://phpbb3.leaptoad.com/mets/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33980Golden AT-Bat "buzz" Benjamin Grimm wrote: I thought of twenty changes that have come to the game since I started watching in 1971, including two changes that have since been rescinded and the one that is being proposed here. I ranked them from best to worst. I'm not including changes to free agency, drafts, compensation, arbitration, trade deadlines, waiver rules, qualifying offers, injured list, etc. I limited it to things that more directly affect what happens during the game and how the postseason field is determined. The first section are things that I feel mostly positive about. The middle section is where I'm more or less neutral. And the bottom section are things that I feel mostly (or entirely) negative out. Please feel free to chime in with your own rankings! Pitch Clock Expansion of Wild Card Round from Best-of-One to Best-of-Three 26-man roster Expansion of LCS from Best-of-Five to Best-of-Seven Three-batter minimum Instant Replay Shift ban Limit on mound visits Larger bases Sticky-finger checks Interleague play {DEFUNCT: All-Star Game determines World Series home-field advantage} {DEFUNCT: Optional 24-man roster} Limit on pickoff attempts Introduction of Wild Card, change from four divisions to six Introduction of Second Wild Card Introduction of Third Wild Card Designated Hitter Ghost Runner Golden At-bat

Good thread. Surprised I missed it.



If someone could remind me how to create a poll, I'll try it, using your list for people to choose from.

[whippoorwill]

No question…inter league play



I loved when they had those long west coast trips, a series with the Phillies here this week, there next week, etc.



Now it's a rarity for the Mets to even come to Pittsburgh, let alone 2 or 3 times a year.



Oh yeah and SNY

[kcmets]

Thankfully, four-fouls-and-yer-out never got any consideration!



Manfred must have missed that one.

[Benjamin Grimm]

In the days before division realignment, when the Mets shared a division with the Cubs, Cardinals, Phillies, Pirates, and Expos, the Mets would visit Pittsburgh (and Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Montreal) for nine games each year. Now they only play three games each year in Pittsburgh. (And St. Louis too. Either three or six in Chicago, because of the White Sox.)

[whippoorwill]

Those were the days!

[roger_that]

How am I supposed to generate animosity against teams whose lineups I barely recognize? If it were up to me, I'd schedule more than half of any team's games within their own division. Maybe three-quarters. Maybe all.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm content to root for the good guys without really knowing who the bad guys are.



I already can't remember the names of almost all of the 2024 Brewers, and I was paying very close attention during those three games last October. I remember Jackson Chorizo (or something like that) but I've forgotten the name of the guy who hurt himself running into the wall chasing a foul ball, and the free agent shortstop who went to, I think, the Giants. I would have forgotten Frankie Montas if he hadn't signed with the Mets. I can't recall the other two pitchers who started against the Mets in that series. I know Christian Yelich, but he was on the injured list. And that's about all I've got.

[The Hot Corner]

I really despise the ghost runner. I would prefer to see real baseball played in extra innings. If they are too worried about running out of players in drawn out games, then expand rosters by 1 player or play true baseball through the 12th inning, then play clown car baseball if still tied going to the 13th inning.



I have grown to accept the DH, though I prefer the strategic nuisances that not having it brought to the game.

[metirish]

Ghost runner

Inter-league play , to start the season in think in the first six series we only played one NL team (Miami) ,it was novel and fun when it started in a limited way , not now



DH in the NL , I understand why , but don't care for it , but also don't think about it much

[kcmets]

Pitch-comm or whatever is kinda dumb too. Why was that even

implemented? Put the signs down, it's been going on forever. And

it's seems that at least once a game it malfunctions and there's a

stoppage of play that 'slows the game down.'

[Edgy MD]

The Hot Corner wrote: I really despise the ghost runner. I would prefer to see real baseball played in extra innings. If they are too worried about running out of players in drawn out games, then expand rosters by 1 player or play true baseball through the 12th inning, then play clown car baseball if still tied going to the 13th inning.

They don't have to worry about running out of players. The attrition actually helps resolve the game.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I would rather they had it so that they'd play by the regular rules for 12 innings, and then if it's still tied, it remains that way. A tie game that counts in the standings as half a win and half a loss.

[roger_that]

Under "FAQ" it says to find the polling option below the main posting form, but I don't see it, there or anywhere. Could someone tell me where to look more specifically?

[Benjamin Grimm]

When you start a new thread, look just below and to the left of the Submit button. There are three tabs. The third one says "Poll Creation". Click on that and take it from there.

[kcmets]

When you click on New Topic, there's a section

below the main typing field that has a tab called

'Poll creation.' Use that, it's pretty easy.



Try a practice poll in the bitch or red-face forum

if you want.

[kcmets]

GMTA 03:32PM...

[ashie62]

The destruction of Shea Stadium is at the top of my list



For pretty much all of the changes they don't hit me one way or the other