All we needed to keep players from changing sides of the field on each batter was a simple rule that players couldn't shift positions during the inning.
I'm with you on this in that if the defense finds a way to adapt and be more effective, the offense then needs to do the same. Not a fan of banning the shift. If I had to reverse one new rule though, it would be the extra innings ghost runner. If a rule can't be used in the postseason, which are the most important games, why would it make sense in the regular season?
When the shift first appeared, it was incredibly annoying, probably because I felt that it took too many hits away from the Mets. I am just as happy to go back to the traditional two people on each side of second base, and as we have seen, sometimes the second baseman or shortstop is just inches from the base. I also hate the ghost runner and believe that it just makes extra innings a circus unless the batters hit it out of the park. I was not then, and not now in favor of widening the bases to create more stolen bases. I can’t stand the rule on throws over to first base where the third unsuccessful pickoff attempt becomes a balk. Let the pitcher throw over 10 times and tax his arm. I love the pitch block though. My early reservations were because the games ended so soon I had to figure out what else to do with my evening.
Thanks Brian for the prose on the shift and thanks to prior comments for expanding subject. Go Mets
I agree on the shift!! I believe it’s up to the offense to adapt!!
In football if the defense played to one side of the field because the offense ran or threw the ball just to one side of field it would behooved the offense to change its tactics!!
analytics has also played a major part in this, because players are persuaded by their organization not to hit the ball on the ground!! Launching the ball and getting it off the ground is preached early on in pro ball!!
I actually heard someone the other day criticizing Guerrero Jr because he doesn’t get the ball up in the air enough!!
It was a knock on Riley Green early on in his career!!
I’m an old school guy and will not stray from the adage of put the ball in play,bunting line drives, Baltimore chops whatever, good things can happen!!
But in the modern days game no one gets paid for base hits, the money goes to the guys who put the ball over the wall regardless if they are only hitting 2.20 BA!!
I’m a die hard Met fan Freddy Freeman is one of my favorite players he refused to buy into the home run or nothing mentality
I too come from an era where small ball was a strong part of the offense while you waited for Earl Weaver’s favorite, the three run homer. When then the shift was in full force a well placed bunt would usually foil it, but there was nothing sexy about doing so. Stolen bases, hit and run, squeeze plays are all second place to the long ball. But with the Mets diminished capacity to hit the ball over the wall, it is shocking that they have not embraced small ball. Stearns promised us players who would hit less home, runs, but make more frequent contact and drive and runs. We are all still waiting for that.
I will agree to disagree! On your bunt, squeeze , stolen base and hit and run reference!! Although the home run has its place. I believe there is nothing sexier than making the game more athletic!! And using all of the above does just that as well as keeping the defense on their toes!!
On the Mets situation I just think it’s hard to make that shift in season when it’s not something that’s necessarily preached organizationally .
It’s a mixed bag thing where today’s eyes and game cannot account for the purpose behind it years ago. Technology continues to rapidly advance so that we see player positioning down to the millimeter. How many times have we seen a scorched ball go exactly into a fielders mitt without moving? We no longer use cutesie spray charts, but gps positioning for every type of pitch. Every action is measured and remeasured. Every motion in the game is hyper quantified, and so years ago it made sense to do this, even if it looked overreactive. The fact is the game looked and played idiotic. Now the shift isnt needed because teams have total certainty on where to put people. I’d do anything if I didnt need to see every player reach into their pocket to figure out exactly where to stand.
have adapted to the shift through the use of the bunt but the reason it didn’t is that these guys don’t know how. From the earliest ages the elite talents are taught almost nothing but how to maximize their velos (pitch or exit) because that’s what gets guys scholarships or drafted. Why guys who are getting paid zillions of dollars and have ample time to learn how to beat the shift by bunting refuse to is lost on me.
The extra inning rule sucks too but my guess is that eventually we’ll see it in the postseason as well. All it will take is for one game to end when a team runs out of pitchers, like almost happened in the WS last year, and they’ll change the rule.
All we needed to keep players from changing sides of the field on each batter was a simple rule that players couldn't shift positions during the inning.
I'm with you on this in that if the defense finds a way to adapt and be more effective, the offense then needs to do the same. Not a fan of banning the shift. If I had to reverse one new rule though, it would be the extra innings ghost runner. If a rule can't be used in the postseason, which are the most important games, why would it make sense in the regular season?
Im glad they banned the shift. I hated it. Reminds me of Little League.
When the shift first appeared, it was incredibly annoying, probably because I felt that it took too many hits away from the Mets. I am just as happy to go back to the traditional two people on each side of second base, and as we have seen, sometimes the second baseman or shortstop is just inches from the base. I also hate the ghost runner and believe that it just makes extra innings a circus unless the batters hit it out of the park. I was not then, and not now in favor of widening the bases to create more stolen bases. I can’t stand the rule on throws over to first base where the third unsuccessful pickoff attempt becomes a balk. Let the pitcher throw over 10 times and tax his arm. I love the pitch block though. My early reservations were because the games ended so soon I had to figure out what else to do with my evening.
Thanks Brian for the prose on the shift and thanks to prior comments for expanding subject. Go Mets
I agree on the shift!! I believe it’s up to the offense to adapt!!
In football if the defense played to one side of the field because the offense ran or threw the ball just to one side of field it would behooved the offense to change its tactics!!
analytics has also played a major part in this, because players are persuaded by their organization not to hit the ball on the ground!! Launching the ball and getting it off the ground is preached early on in pro ball!!
I actually heard someone the other day criticizing Guerrero Jr because he doesn’t get the ball up in the air enough!!
It was a knock on Riley Green early on in his career!!
I’m an old school guy and will not stray from the adage of put the ball in play,bunting line drives, Baltimore chops whatever, good things can happen!!
But in the modern days game no one gets paid for base hits, the money goes to the guys who put the ball over the wall regardless if they are only hitting 2.20 BA!!
I’m a die hard Met fan Freddy Freeman is one of my favorite players he refused to buy into the home run or nothing mentality
I too come from an era where small ball was a strong part of the offense while you waited for Earl Weaver’s favorite, the three run homer. When then the shift was in full force a well placed bunt would usually foil it, but there was nothing sexy about doing so. Stolen bases, hit and run, squeeze plays are all second place to the long ball. But with the Mets diminished capacity to hit the ball over the wall, it is shocking that they have not embraced small ball. Stearns promised us players who would hit less home, runs, but make more frequent contact and drive and runs. We are all still waiting for that.
I will agree to disagree! On your bunt, squeeze , stolen base and hit and run reference!! Although the home run has its place. I believe there is nothing sexier than making the game more athletic!! And using all of the above does just that as well as keeping the defense on their toes!!
On the Mets situation I just think it’s hard to make that shift in season when it’s not something that’s necessarily preached organizationally .
It’s a mixed bag thing where today’s eyes and game cannot account for the purpose behind it years ago. Technology continues to rapidly advance so that we see player positioning down to the millimeter. How many times have we seen a scorched ball go exactly into a fielders mitt without moving? We no longer use cutesie spray charts, but gps positioning for every type of pitch. Every action is measured and remeasured. Every motion in the game is hyper quantified, and so years ago it made sense to do this, even if it looked overreactive. The fact is the game looked and played idiotic. Now the shift isnt needed because teams have total certainty on where to put people. I’d do anything if I didnt need to see every player reach into their pocket to figure out exactly where to stand.
The shift isn't needed? I bet if the ban was repealed that teams would use the shift immediately.
You’ve already said, and having just read the article, they said, banning the sift hasnt added hots or BA. So, shift away, it doesnt matter anymore.
Would rather the offense
have adapted to the shift through the use of the bunt but the reason it didn’t is that these guys don’t know how. From the earliest ages the elite talents are taught almost nothing but how to maximize their velos (pitch or exit) because that’s what gets guys scholarships or drafted. Why guys who are getting paid zillions of dollars and have ample time to learn how to beat the shift by bunting refuse to is lost on me.
The extra inning rule sucks too but my guess is that eventually we’ll see it in the postseason as well. All it will take is for one game to end when a team runs out of pitchers, like almost happened in the WS last year, and they’ll change the rule.