As one of the only guys on this board that played Little League ball in the '40's I am definitely in the "older age bracket". And yes-I have a more ''traditional" view of the game. The idea that the game can somehow produce more "action" to appease a younger audience with a restricted attention span is a fool's errand. The game is measured and deliberate by design and attempts to somehow speed it up are mostly gimmicks. In fact, the game was once more exciting and faster than now when runners were advanced with a bunt, hit and run was a thing, stolen bases added excitement and the squeeze bunt could often determine the outcome of a game. Small ball was just a lot more fun to watch. Today's trend of getting a couple of guys on base then having a guy the size of an NFL linebacker hit a ball 450' is not that interesting. The result of this all-or-nothing approach is far more strikeouts and runners stranded on base that could have been advanced without swinging for the fences. It is becoming as predictable as NASCAR making left turns.
Could the game be improved? Of course. The weakest and most controversial link right now seems to be old overweight and visually challenged umpires. I see far too many guys struck out on ball four or walked on strike three. The fact that Angel Hernandez is even allowed on the field is a travesty. We have a simple technology to clean up those terrible balls and strikes calls. It seems ironic that baseball can give a player a 200 or 300 million dollar contract to hit 40 home runs a year then take the bat out of his hands by a Mr Magoo ump that sees a 17'' plate as either 20'' or 14 1/2".
And don't get me started on this runner on 2nd base in extra innings bullshit. I saw a game recently that went into the bottom of the 10th inning all tied up. The pitcher made one pitch, the batter hit a bloop single to center field, the runner scored, the pitcher was charged with a loss and somehow everyone was supposed to be happy with the outcome. grrrrrr!
Could the game be improved? Of course. The weakest and most controversial link right now seems to be old overweight and visually challenged umpires. I see far too many guys struck out on ball four or walked on strike three. The fact that Angel Hernandez is even allowed on the field is a travesty. We have a simple technology to clean up those terrible balls and strikes calls. It seems ironic that baseball can give a player a 200 or 300 million dollar contract to hit 40 home runs a year then take the bat out of his hands by a Mr Magoo ump that sees a 17'' plate as either 20'' or 14 1/2".
And don't get me started on this runner on 2nd base in extra innings bullshit. I saw a game recently that went into the bottom of the 10th inning all tied up. The pitcher made one pitch, the batter hit a bloop single to center field, the runner scored, the pitcher was charged with a loss and somehow everyone was supposed to be happy with the outcome. grrrrrr!
