Getting Past America's Pastime

Those are the original rules for the game of basketball.  It still sort of resembles the game being played today but as you can see,  today's basketball game is dramatically different.  While today's basketball game might not be perfect in the eyes of many, it's certainly a drastic leap forward from these original 13 rules.

So what's my point you ask?  Baseball. 

It's long, it's boring and it's time for some new rules.  I tried to watch a game the other day and simply couldn't keep my eyes open.  I did get a decent nap out of it but this time of year when basketball season is winding down and football is still 2 months away, I have a hard time finding good sport entertainment to keep me amused.  I did manage to stay awake for about 2-3 innings worth and it got me thinking about some changes that could be made to improve the experience.  The problem with rules changes in baseball is all the seemingly 100 year old men who start weeping and wailing about the history and tradition of the game and how it's still the same game it was in 1902.  Well that's all well and good but 1) It's just a game and the fate of humanity isn't invested in whether or not a few rules are altered, and 2) Like the example of basketball above, sometimes rule changes make for a better or, at the very least, more interesting game.

With that in mind, here are some of the changes I'd like to see implemented...

1. The pitch clock.  I'd propose roughly a 10 second clock from the time the pitcher retrieves the ball and the batter steps into the batting box.  Along with that, the pitcher would get a new clock if he throws to a base to try and pick off a runner, however he would only be allowed 3 attempts per hitter.

2. The batter's box.  Once a hitter stepped into the batter's box, he may not leave it.  There would be an exception if he had to dive or move out of the way of an aggressive inside pitch.  He would then be allowed 10 seconds to collect himself and prepare for the next pitch.

3. Timeouts.  Each team would only be allowed to take 1 timeout per inning.  If the manager wants to argue a call... that's a timeout.  If a runner wants to dust himself off after sliding into second...that's a time out.  If a catcher wants to go talk to the pitcher....that's a timeout.  Basically any interruption of the game will be a timeout.

4. Standardized Fields.  Each stadium will have the same dimensions.  It boggles my mind how this isn't a rule already.  Can you imagine the Broncos going to play the Jets on a 100 yard field, then the next week, playing the Dolphins on a 120 yard field?  It's ludicrous!  All fields should have the same dimensions and same clearances for the back walls.

5. Foul Balls.   If a batter hits 3 balls in a row foul, he is out.

6. Designated Hitter.  There shall be none.  'nuff said.

7.  Pitching substitutions.  A team may only switch pitchers one time during the game in the middle of an inning.  All other switches must be made between innings.  A switch mid-inning would count as a time out.

8.  Uniforms.  The players shall wear the league approved uniform.  The managers shall not.

9.  Striking the hitter.  If a pitcher hits the batter with a ball, he will be awarded first base (just like now).  If the pitcher hits 2 players with a ball, the pitcher will be ejected from the game.

10.  Replay.  Each manager shall be allowed to have a booth official review a play on the field 2 times during the game.  Called strikes and balls are not reviewable.  As in football, if the play is overturned, the team would not be charged with a timeout.

11.  Scoring.  Here is where I leave the ranch a bit.  So far all the rules are basically tweaks to existing rules but this is where I would like to see a radical change.  Each base that a runner arrives safely to shall be worth 1 point.


Ok, those are my ideas.  Do you have others?  What would you change?