That’s enough Liberals - MLB going to Auto Strike Zone in 2026

[57stratdawg]

Not exactly, but the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge system will be implemented.

Each team gets 2 challenges. More if successful. Challenge has to he called right after the pitch by the catcher, pitcher or batter.

Think Tennis line calls, but at the plate.

 

[Lucifer Morningstar]

More trolling?

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Tap tap tap that helmet.

 

[DT4248]

I can speak on behalf of liberals here.

**** Rob Manfred and everything he has done to ruin baseball.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

I can speak on behalf of liberals here.

**** Rob Manfred and everything he has done to ruin baseball.

What has he done to ruin baseball? I always see this but then no one ever expounds on it.

 

[Faustdog]

Not exactly, but the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge system will be implemented.

Each team gets 2 challenges. More if successful. Challenge has to he called right after the pitch by the catcher, pitcher or batter.

Think Tennis line calls, but at the plate.

I guess they just think they have to do it in stages rather than ripping off the bandaid. That's the only logical reason for not allowing anyone with access to what the system actually shows to challenge.

The year after, managers will be able to challenge after checking with their review team like they do with other calls now.

Then the year after that, we'll just go to full on auto.

 

[Drebin]

Not exactly, but the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge system will be implemented.

Each team gets 2 challenges. More if successful. Challenge has to he called right after the pitch by the catcher, pitcher or batter.

Think Tennis line calls, but at the plate.

They had it in spring training this year (at ballparks that had the technology) and they also had it in AAA. I like the way they do it. It doesn't really slow the game down and really eliminates the egregious misses.

 

[Drebin]

What has he done to ruin baseball? I always see this but then no one ever expounds on it.

He said he was a liberal so this should be expected behavior.

 

[DT4248]

What has he done to ruin baseball? I always see this but then no one ever expounds on it.

You can throw a perfect game and lose in Manfredball with the Manfred runner.

He, like NASCAR and College football, catered the sport to TV rather than the folks at the event. The pitch clock is completely antithetical to baseball. The limiting of pickoffs is flat out ridiculous. Both changes meant to serve TV watching over going to the game / playing the game. Baseball is meant to sit and pass time. It is a social sport.

On top of that - the minimal punishment for the Astros and calling the World series trophy a hunk of metal shows his true feelings towards the game.

Add in the juiced ball controversy with the Yankees getting goldilocks disproportionally during Judge's 63 HR season... it's clear he serves ratings not actual fan enjoyment.

I know the commissioner is a stand in for owners - but MLB is the worst of the major 4. And that's saying something with his competition. Silver is flat out awful. Bettman is supremely hated. Goodell might be the best of the bunch.

Expanded enough?

 

[Drebin]

You can throw a perfect game and lose in Manfredball with the Manfred runner.

He, like NASCAR and College football, catered the sport to TV rather than the folks at the event. The pitch clock is completely antithetical to baseball. The limiting of pickoffs is flat out ridiculous. Both changes meant to serve TV watching over going to the game / playing the game. Baseball is meant to sit and pass time. It is a social sport.

On top of that - the minimal punishment for the Astros and calling the World series trophy a hunk of metal shows his true feelings towards the game.

Add in the juiced ball controversy with the Yankees getting goldilocks disproportionally during Judge's 63 HR season... it's clear he serves ratings not actual fan enjoyment.

I know the commissioner is a stand in for owners - but MLB is the worst of the major 4. And that's saying something with his competition. Silver is flat out awful. Bettman is supremely hated. Goodell might be the best of the bunch.

Expanded enough?

I don't like the "Manfred runner" either but it's not likely going to cost anyone a perfect game in this day and age. It's designed to force the issue and prevent 20 inning games.

Pitch clock has been objectively good for the game. Teams like it. Fans like it. Pace of play is better.

I don't like the pickoff rule, but stolen bases are way up this year so it's added to the excitement of the game.

I think the Astros paid a price. It cost guys a couple of manager jobs. And for what? They were too egregious with it, but every team in the majors tries to steal signs. It's as much a part of the game as balls and strikes. I hate pitchcomm for that reason.

Your Judge juiced ball argument just sounds like butthurtedness. Not a Yankee fan, I guess.

 

[SanfordRJones]

The pitch clock has been awesome for baseball. You might be the 1st person I've seen complain about it since it got implemented.

The 2 biggest failings of Rob Manfred have been unending changes to the baseball and the 17ing ridiculous blackout rules. The ghost runner would be #3 for me, but that is way way way down the list. They have got to fix the other 2, though. It boggles my mind how they can't produce consistent baseballs and why they make it so 17ing hard to consume their product . It's easier to pirate games than it is to watch legally in most TV markets.

I don't know what the league is supposed to do about it, so I don't blame Manfred for this, but they have also got to figure out how to stop all the arm injuries.

 

[DT4248]

I don't like the "Manfred runner" either but it's not likely going to cost anyone a perfect game in this day and age. It's designed to force the issue and prevent 20 inning games.

Pitch clock has been objectively good for the game. Teams like it. Fans like it. Pace of play is better.

I don't like the pickoff rule, but stolen bases are way up this year so it's added to the excitement of the game.

I think the Astros paid a price. It cost guys a couple of manager jobs. And for what? They were too egregious with it, but every team in the majors trys to steal signs. It's as much a part of the game as balls and strikes. I hate pitchcomm for that reason.

Your Judge juiced ball argument just sounds like butthurtedness. Not a Yankee fan, I guess.

20 inning games was the same as 7OT games. Not an issue and ******* awesome when they happen. I think we agree here so won't go further.

Pitch Clock is great on TV. But sucks at the park. Well just agree to disagree here.

Pickoff rule is manufactured excitement. Juan Soto has 35 stolen bases. I'm a purist when it comes to baseball clearly so this irritates me. Maybe I just sound too much like Keith Hernandez.

Difference between using your eyes and using outfield cameras / banging trashcans to signal. Again this is a purist thing. It's like when the Patriots did Spygate. Feel like there should have been more punishment than the Mets having to fire Carlos Beltran. Agreed on hating pitchcomm.

It's well documented about the juiced / dead / goldilocks ball that year. Yea I don't like the Yankees, but more importantly I don't like a true sport to have manufactured excitement. I enjoy WWE and Bananaball for what they are. I don't want MLB going that way and it's heavily trending there.

Speaking as an avid Nascar fan who is not going to a race for the first time this year since 1999... I see all the markers of what NASCAR flubbed in the 2000s. Chasing short term casual enjoyment and alienating their core. It led to a quick boon and now it's a steady dying sport having to manufacture excitement instead of letting things naturally be exciting. College football is teetering on it, but baseball is full steam ahead down the NASCAR path. Maybe in 15 years I'm wrong and was just a curmudgeon. I don't think I will be but I hope I am.

 

[QuaoarsKing]

Getting rid of the shift is a disgrace, but every other rule change has been good for the game.

I hope they quickly go to every pitch being called automatically as a ball or strike.

 

[Drebin]

Difference between using your eyes and using outfield cameras / banging trashcans to signal. Again this is a purist thing. It's like when the Patriots did Spygate. Feel like there should have been more punishment than the Mets having to fire Carlos Beltran. Agreed on hating pitchcomm.

I'm a baseball purist as well. I agree that what the Astros did was egregious. But there's lots of egregious stuff that goes on that you never hear about. The biggest issue for me, as a baseball purist, is that MLB has taken away the ability for players to police the game themselves. That would be the biggest complaint I'd have about MLB leadership.

 

[HotMop]

Should of had it in 1997. 17n Eric Gregg.

 

[paindonthurt]

Should of had it in 1997. 17n Eric Gregg.

Thats so bad i almost think its AI.

 

[Drebin]

Should of had it in 1997. 17n Eric Gregg.

If we're being honest, Maddux and Glavine made a career out of getting calls like that.

 

[DT4248]

Getting rid of the shift is a disgrace, but every other rule change has been good for the game.

I hope they quickly go to every pitch being called automatically as a ball or strike.

**** i knew i forgot something. That **** pisses me off

I'm a baseball purist as well. I agree that what the Astros did was egregious. But there's lots of egregious stuff that goes on that you never hear about. The biggest issue for me, as a baseball purist, is that MLB has taken away the ability for players to police the game themselves. That would be the biggest complaint I'd have about MLB leadership.

Don't disagree. It's kinda crazy how long the list is. I just kinda accept this is a fact now but yea - this reminds me how mad I am about Thor getting ejected for sending a message to Chase Utley.... 9 years ago.

 

[Drebin]

**** i knew i forgot something. That **** pisses me off

Don't disagree. It's kinda crazy how long the list is. I just kinda accept this is a fact now but yea - this reminds me how mad I am about Thor getting ejected for sending a message to Chase Utley.... 9 years ago.

I will agree with you - that was bush league.

 

[HRMSU]

What has he done to ruin baseball? I always see this but then no one ever expounds on it.

Seems to finally be growing to me but purely subjective opinion.

 

[HRMSU]

The pitch clock has been awesome for baseball. You might be the 1st person I've seen complain about it since it got implemented.

The 2 biggest failings of Rob Manfred have been unending changes to the baseball and the 17ing ridiculous blackout rules. The ghost runner would be #3 for me, but that is way way way down the list. They have got to fix the other 2, though. It boggles my mind how they can't produce consistent baseballs and why they make it so 17ing hard to consume their product . It's easier to pirate games than it is to watch legally in most TV markets.

I don't know what the league is supposed to do about it, so I don't blame Manfred for this, but they have also got to figure out how to stop all the arm injuries.

Yes, only beef with pitch clock is if you go to the game you better drink fast**** adds a little tailgating to the mix though. Also, great for me watching Rangers on TV playing division opponents out West.

Would like the ghost runner to start at 1st in 10th, 1st and 2nd in 11th and bases juiced from 12th on.

 

[Drebin]

Yes, only beef with pitch clock is if you go to the game you better drink fast**** adds a little tailgating to the mix though. Also, great for me watching Rangers on TV playing division opponents out West.

Would like the ghost runner to start at 1st in 10th, 1st and 2nd in 11th and bases juiced from 12th on.

I agree with the libbie on ghost runners. It makes no sense. I understand the purpose, but this isn't beer league softball.

 

[HRMSU]

I agree with the libbie on ghost runners. It makes no sense. I understand the purpose, but this isn't beer league softball.

Sure, but if we are going to have them at least start the first extra inning without a guy in scoring position.

 

[Drebin]

Sure, but if we are going to have them at least start the first extra inning without a guy in scoring position.

Well, if we HAVE to have ghost runners, I prefer the way they're doing it. It takes out the force and really makes the pitchers pitch differently.

The thing that makes me want to throw the TV through the remote is to watch a team pitch their shutdown closer in the ninth inning of a tie game, and then bring in the last guy out of the bullpen to pitch the 10th in extra innings.

 

[HRMSU]

Well, if we HAVE to have ghost runners, I prefer the way they're doing it. It takes out the force and really makes the pitchers pitch differently.

The thing that makes me want to throw the TV through the remote is to watch a team pitch their shutdown closer in the ninth inning of a tie game, and then bring in the last guy out of the bullpen to pitch the 10th in extra innings.

Agree, it takes out the force but I think it gives too much of an advantage to the offense. I'm sure somebody could find the stats of scoring from 2nd with 0 outs vs scoring from 1st with 0 outs.

 

[HotMop]

If we're being honest, Maddux and Glavine made a career out of getting calls like that.

Not that far off the plate.

 

[DT4248]

So looks like we agree a lot of changes are bad. Is it hyperbole to say he's ruining baseball? Maybe.

I think it's a lot of short term gain to drum up casual interest while alienating long term fans. It screams where NASCAR ****** up to me. So similar. I hope I'm wrong. But man it just looks so obvious.

Yes, only beef with pitch clock is if you go to the game you better drink fast**** adds a little tailgating to the mix though. Also, great for me watching Rangers on TV playing division opponents out West.

Would like the ghost runner to start at 1st in 10th, 1st and 2nd in 11th and bases juiced from 12th on.

I guess I'm an alcoholic too - yea the clock gets annoying. Glad going to Brewers games up here they have a decent tailgating scene. My Mets are non-existent in comparison, but you can just go get trashed wherever in New York. I just like when I'm "stuck" at the ballpark for 4+ hours. Maybe I'm too boomer and not enough zoomer with that take. Oh well.

 

[patdog]

What has he done to ruin baseball? I always see this but then no one ever expounds on it.

I like most of the changes. Pitch clock, ball-strike challenges. But this runner on 2nd ti start extra innings is bull****.

 

[HRMSU]

So looks like we agree a lot of changes are bad. Is it hyperbole to say he's ruining baseball? Maybe.

I think it's a lot of short term gain to drum up casual interest while alienating long term fans. It screams where NASCAR ****** up to me. So similar. I hope I'm wrong. But man it just looks so obvious.

I guess I'm an alcoholic too - yea the clock gets annoying. Glad going to Brewers games up here they have a decent tailgating scene. My Mets are non-existent in comparison, but you can just go get trashed wherever in New York. I just like when I'm "stuck" at the ballpark for 4+ hours. Maybe I'm too boomer and not enough zoomer with that take. Oh well.

I hear ya on the romanticism of just getting lost in time at the ballpark. I used to brag to my casual or non-baseball fans that it's one of the very few games without a clock and that made it beautiful.

Unfortunately, the yutes don't have time for that. The game had changed on its own. Heck with the specialization (one guy would literally pitch to one guy), all the pitching changes, constant throwing over to first, and quirky redoing your batting gloves while stepping out of the box staring at your bat after every pitch I'm not sure anybody had time for it anymore. ~4 hour games was slowly killing the game. I do agree that if you had 4 hours to waste it was not a bad way to waste them.

 

[Perd Hapley]

I personally find it appalling that we have pitch clocks, replays, ghost runners, robot strike zones, shift bans, pickoff limits, and so forth….

…..and yet you can STILL strike out and wind up on first base anyway. They make all these radical changes without at all addressing the worst rule in all of sports.

 

[ronpolk]

You can throw a perfect game and lose in Manfredball with the Manfred runner.

He, like NASCAR and College football, catered the sport to TV rather than the folks at the event. The pitch clock is completely antithetical to baseball. The limiting of pickoffs is flat out ridiculous. Both changes meant to serve TV watching over going to the game / playing the game. Baseball is meant to sit and pass time. It is a social sport.

On top of that - the minimal punishment for the Astros and calling the World series trophy a hunk of metal shows his true feelings towards the game.

Add in the juiced ball controversy with the Yankees getting goldilocks disproportionally during Judge's 63 HR season... it's clear he serves ratings not actual fan enjoyment.

I know the commissioner is a stand in for owners - but MLB is the worst of the major 4. And that's saying something with his competition. Silver is flat out awful. Bettman is supremely hated. Goodell might be the best of the bunch.

Expanded enough?

I get why someone wouldn’t like some of those changes but I think they have been for the better. Speeding up the game was needed and it makes a better product to watch.

 

[DT4248]

I hear ya on the romanticism of just getting lost in time at the ballpark. I used to brag to my casual or non-baseball fans that it's one of the very few games without a clock and that made it beautiful.

Unfortunately, the yutes don't have time for that. The game had changed on its own. Heck with the specialization (one guy would literally pitch to one guy), all the pitching changes, constant throwing over to first, and quirky redoing your batting gloves while stepping out of the box staring at your bat after every pitch I'm not sure anybody had time for it anymore. ~4 hour games was slowly killing the game. I do agree that if you had 4 hours to waste it was not a bad way to waste them.

Maybe it's the other way around. Marked of society trending poorly where people can't just get lost in time anymore. Constantly on the go, instant gratification, etc. That has a hand in killing NASCAR too. Everything is changing and I don't like it. (Do I actually qualify as a liberal at this point? )

I get why someone wouldn’t like some of those changes but I think they have been for the better. Speeding up the game was needed and it makes a better product to watch.

On TV. But not at the game. Baseball was never meant to be a TV sport.

 

[HRMSU]

Maybe it's the other way around. Marked of society trending poorly where people can't just get lost in time anymore. Constantly on the go, instant gratification, etc. That has a hand in killing NASCAR too. Everything is changing and I don't like it. (Do I actually qualify as a liberal at this point? )

On TV. But not at the game. Baseball was never meant to be a TV sport.

Second the last sentence. Baseball Live > TV and Football on TV > Live

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

If we're being honest, Maddux and Glavine made a career out of getting calls like that.

That's why they only won one world series. The umpires would call the actual strike zone in the playoff games. Neither of those guys could live in the strike zone. They had to throw off the plate. So when they were forced to throw actual strikes they got hit. Smoltz could live over the plate.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

This is so STUPID! So a manager is going to tell his hitters don't challenge that bad call until after a certain inning? We are only going to get 2 or 3 calls right and <17> the others? If you are the leadoff hitter and an ump calls a pitch an inch outside a strike you are going to challenge it. The hardest thing about hitting at a high level is knowing the strike zone. If the ump is calling things outside of the defined zone, it makes it much harder. A 1-2 count is way different than a 2-1 count. It is true from the pitchers standpoint also. They throw that good curve ball that buckles a hitter it can buckle the ump too. In Baseball every at bat is critical.

If these systems are accurate to 1/6th of an inch, just use them for every pitch. Beep in the umps ear for a strike or just show it up on the jumbotron like the live game graphic you watch on your phone. That shows the entire path of the pitch. So everyone knows where the pitch is. There is nothing to argue on pitch location. Umps still need to do check swings and other things that can happen in the batters box.