Why don't we just adopt the Finland version of baseball?

https://texags.com/s/43946/houston-baptist-head-coach-astros-great-lance-berkman-joins-texags-radio/8

Lance Berkman on TexAgs radio today

Gloves cause hitters to be put out at an alarming rate. No webbed glove of any kind shall be allowed for any position player.

Having a right handed throwing 3B, SS and 2B clearly gives them an unfair advantage over the hitter. Teams must now use at least one left handed thrower at an infield position of 3B, SS and/or 2B.

On the other side, dipped maple bats with thinner handles are clearly too much of an advantage to hitter. All bats from here out must be made of oak or ironwood, weigh at least 40 ounces and have a handle diameter no less than 70% of the barrel diameter. In addition, the cupping of bats is no longer allowed.

Football has regulations on the number of eligible receivers and how many can line up on the line. Basketball has rules on how long you can be in the paint.

A rule change in response to the gameplay being compromised isn't unheard of or a ridiculous notion. It isn't about "making it easier on hitters". It's about creating a more enjoyable product the way the game was meant to be played.

The same idea as to why professional golf is in a debate about bifurcating the balls and clubs between pros/amateurs. To keep the game and the courses being played the way they were meant to be played.

The Milkman said:

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Football has regulations on the number of eligible receivers and how many can line up on the line. Basketball has rules on how long you can be in the paint.

A rule change in response to the gameplay being compromised isn't unheard of or a ridiculous notion. It isn't about "making it easier on hitters". It's about creating a more enjoyable product the way the game was meant to be played.

The same idea as to why professional golf is in a debate about bifurcating the balls and clubs between pros/amateurs. To keep the game and the courses being played the way they were meant to be played.

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How is shifting an INF compromising game play? Its clearly affecting hitters whose sole approach is to swing as hard as they can to hit a HR to the pull side. But that is their choice.

And I would argue that the modern bat is the same as the longstanding argument in golf over square or V grooves on wedges, modern aerodynamic balls and lighter clubs from modern materials.

I think pitching has gotten so good it's much harder to just put it where you want.

Not sure thats the reason. Modern kinesthetic computer analysis of a swing is creating players whose swing is manufactured down to the specific launch angle degree and is designed for certain outcomes. No one wants to be a professional hitter any more.

MLB and the MLBPA are meeting. The first of the day.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 1, 2022

The shift is also not a new phenomenon. It's been going on for the better part of a century.

Shifts aren’t new. This is Babe Ruth at bat in Cleveland’s League Park during the 1920 season, with the famous Great Wall looming in right field. In fact, this may be as deep as any first baseman ever played. pic.twitter.com/LrCB64Vn2k

— League Park (@LeagueParkCle) January 2, 2020

These may be the most extreme shifts we've ever seen, but it's simply a reaction to batters. Let the strategic side of the game iron itself out. The batters' all-or-nothing approach is what drove the shift. Fix that if you want to address the root of the issue. The analytics have even really started to disprove that simplistic view of batting. Just look at the teams that routinely go the furthest in the postseason--they control their strikeouts and strike the other team out more.

I don't think you should ever make a rule change to limit fielders. Might as well mandate that all ballparks have the same dimensions so as to be fair to lefties and righties. This shouldn't even be a ****ing CBA issue in my mind.

It's baseball. People will ***** about any change simply because it's a change. Even if it's for the better of the game.

The sky was falling when we moved to the AL and would have a DH. Now we want it universal.....

Buck Compton said:

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The shift is also not a new phenomenon. It's been going on for the better part of a century.

Shifts aren’t new. This is Babe Ruth at bat in Cleveland’s League Park during the 1920 season, with the famous Great Wall looming in right field. In fact, this may be as deep as any first baseman ever played. pic.twitter.com/LrCB64Vn2k

— League Park (@LeagueParkCle) January 2, 2020

These may be the most extreme shifts we've ever seen, but it's simply a reaction to batters. Let the strategic side of the game iron itself out. The batters' all-or-nothing approach is what drove the shift. Fix that if you want to address the root of the issue. The analytics have even really started to disprove that simplistic view of batting. Just look at the teams that routinely go the furthest in the postseason--they control their strikeouts and strike the other team out more.

I don't think you should ever make a rule change to limit fielders. Might as well mandate that all ballparks have the same dimensions so as to be fair to lefties and righties. This shouldn't even be a ****ing CBA issue in my mind.

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I don't believe it is entirely a reaction to batters., I think it is a result of the increased data we have on every player in the league and their placement versus R/L and pitch type etc. Because previously we saw the shirt for only players that were really extremely heavy hitters to a particular side. Now they will shift for everyone 1-9 in the lineup and by count. Its not just power hitters and an all or nothing approach.

Again, it isn't about making it fair for a batter. Its about improving gameplay. With so many shifts, it only exasperates the all-or-nothing, three-outcome results.

MLB says it has made its best offer

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 1, 2022

MLB believes that talks have gone backwards today in the proposals

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 1, 2022

MLB plans to make one final offer, but considering the tenor and dialogue today, hard to envision they will reach an agreement in two hours or by the time they leave Jupiter, Fla

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 1, 2022

MLB official: "The MLBPA has a decidedly different tone today and made proposals inconsistent with the prior discussions. We will be making our best offer before the 5 p.m. deadline for the MLBPA that’s a fair deal for players and clubs.” 2/2

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) March 1, 2022

Delete everything from ?s on in the link and it'll render

Lance McCullers, who is on MLBPA's Executive Committee, just retweeted this. So, yeah, today is not going well. Need a miracle in whatever MLB's final offer is.https://t.co/UE5TRMpWvO

— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 1, 2022

Thanks.

Looks like no baseball any time soon. Shortened season. Shortened spring training. Extra injuries. Woohoo!

FWIW MLB has pumped to the media last night & today that there’s momentum toward a deal. Now saying the players tone has changed. So if a deal isn’t done today it’s our fault. This isn’t a coincidence. We’ve had the same tone all along. We just want a fair deal/to play ball.

— Alex Wood (@Awood45) March 1, 2022

https://12thman.com/news/2022/2/28/baseball-game-preview-vs-hbu.aspx

live baseball tonight!

The last 24hrs I’d say there was cautious optimism on the players side because the owners were actually at the table negotiating with us toward a deal. What we’re asking is more than fair. If there’s no deal the optimism from MLB was a PR illusion to make it look like they tried.

— Alex Wood (@Awood45) March 1, 2022

MLBPA's most recent CBT offer: $238m, $244, $250, $256, $263. MLB offered $220m, $220, $220, $224, $230

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 1, 2022

MLBPA offered a minimum salary starting at $725,000 with increases over the life of the CBA. MLB had $675,000 with $10,000 increases over six years.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 1, 2022

EastCoastAgNc said:

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MLBPA's most recent CBT offer: $238m, $244, $250, $256, $263. MLB offered $220m, $220, $220, $224, $230

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 1, 2022

MLBPA offered a minimum salary starting at $725,000 with increases over the life of the CBA. MLB had $675,000 with $10,000 increases over six years.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 1, 2022

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Am I reading this right? MLBPA is going higher every negotiation?

Maybe it's a yearly thing?

If not it looks that way. Unless he was just inconsistent with his format.

Coby said:

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Maybe it's a yearly thing?

If not it looks that way. Unless he was just inconsistent with his format.

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Ah, good point. That makes sense.

No, that's the luxury line for the next 5 years.

I think he was just inconsistent in his format. From first offer to last offers :

MLBPA / MLB

263 - 220
256 - 220
250 - 220
244 - 224
238 - 230

Edit : I'm wrong, see Farmer1906's posts below.

htxag09 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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MLBPA's most recent CBT offer: $238m, $244, $250, $256, $263. MLB offered $220m, $220, $220, $224, $230

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 1, 2022

MLBPA offered a minimum salary starting at $725,000 with increases over the life of the CBA. MLB had $675,000 with $10,000 increases over six years.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 1, 2022

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Am I reading this right? MLBPA is going higher every negotiation?

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MLBPA offer now:
238 to 263

MLBPA Offer in Mid Feb:
245 to 273

They've come down 7-10 M per year.

MLB offer now:
220 to 230

MLB Offer in Early Feb:
214 to 222

They've gone up 4-8 M per year.

There is still a GIANT gap.

CoachRTM said:

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I think he was just inconsistent in his format. From first offer to last offers :

MLBPA / MLB

263 - 220
256 - 220
250 - 220
244 - 224
238 - 230

They started 43 apart and are now 8 apart.... with the MLBPA moving much more than the MLB.

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Those are by year, not different offers. In 2020 MLBPA wants 238, in 2023 they want 244, etc.

Ahh.... the MLB is so much more confusing than other sports in this kind of stuff.

The MLBPA's previous offer:

- CBT thresholds at 238/244/250/256/263
- Pre-arb bonus pool at $85M with $5M annual increases
- Minimums at $725K going up $20K a year

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 1, 2022

They owners don't want a deal