[Mick]

This deserves its own thread - discussion of MLB rules changes, but I guess it will go in a thread about the Gyros....

To me, the biggest rule change is the limited throws to a base to check a runner. Pitchers will now get 2 attempts to pick off a runner at a base. If the runner is not picked off on the 3rd attempt, he will be awarded the next base. I'm pretty sure this 2 free throw over limit is per runner, not per runner per batter.

Shifts may be being banned, but MLB was played without or minimal shifts for a long time. A pitch clock may be new, but Pitchers who worked fast created the same pace of play that will exist with a clock.

But limiting the number of throws to a base with a runner on that base, is a giant change. The stolen base - with this throw-over limit and bigger bases - is going to become a more important element of the game than it ever has been. Speed and defense - with shift bans - might actually supplant Home Run power as the preferred attribute in a MLB player.

This means getting on base by any way possible will now be the priority. Pitchers are going to HATE the new rules. They are going to be pitching with runners on base so much more frequently than they have in a very long time. I expect scoring will increase quite a bit.

Thoughts?

The distance between the bases will be reduced by 4.5 inches, thanks to the larger bases. That's going to increase the stolen bases. And as mentioned before, the Giants had the second best stolen base percentage in baseball last year.

An umpire once prevented Satchel Paige from warm up throws.  Paige walked the first batter on four pitches, then threw over to first 20 times to warm up his arm. Guess we won't see that again.

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And neither Conforto or Lucian are 100% yet. We knew Luke Jackson was hurt. Cole Waites got hurt 10 days ago. Ruh roh.
Top prospect Marco Luciano still recovering from back injury as spring training begins | KNBR

[Mick]

This deserves its own thread - discussion of MLB rules changes, but I guess it will go in a thread about the Gyros....

To me, the biggest rule change is the limited throws to a base to check a runner. Pitchers will now get 2 attempts to pick off a runner at a base. If the runner is not picked off on the 3rd attempt, he will be awarded the next base. I'm pretty sure this 2 free throw over limit is per runner, not per runner per batter.

Shifts may be being banned, but MLB was played without or minimal shifts for a long time. A pitch clock may be new, but Pitchers who worked fast created the same pace of play that will exist with a clock.

But limiting the number of throws to a base with a runner on that base, is a giant change. The stolen base - with this throw-over limit and bigger bases - is going to become a more important element of the game than it ever has been. Speed and defense - with shift bans - might actually supplant Home Run power as the preferred attribute in a MLB player.

This means getting on base by any way possible will now be the priority. Pitchers are going to HATE the new rules. They are going to be pitching with runners on base so much more frequently than they have in a very long time. I expect scoring will increase quite a bit.

Thoughts?

The distance between the bases will be reduced by 4.5 inches, thanks to the larger bases. That's going to increase the stolen bases. And as mentioned before, the Giants had the second best stolen base percentage in baseball last year.

An umpire once prevented Satchel Paige from warm up throws.  Paige walked the first batter on four pitches, then threw over to first 20 times to warm up his arm. Guess we won't see that again.

---

And neither Conforto or Lucian are 100% yet. We knew Luke Jackson was hurt. Cole Waites got hurt 10 days ago. Ruh roh.
Top prospect Marco Luciano still recovering from back injury as spring training begins | KNBR