9 rules baseball needs to change

[johnnyg08]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tom_verducci/11/27/rules-changes-replay-rosters/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

[scrounge]

Making the LCS a best-of-5 series would be fine, esp if it allows the wild card to be best of 3 instead of this inane single game. The rest of the article was garbagejuice. But I did appreciate the link to the gallery of Cardinals cheerleaders.

[Dannytheman]

The only thing I agree with is that we don't need 6 men umpire squads for the playoff games. Keep them 4 and rotate 8 every other night.

[th3]

leave baseball alone its fine just the way it is

[grayhawk]

Read the comments below the article and your baseball IQ drops in half.

I'm really not against expanding instant replay, in general, but people need to realize that baseball presents some unique challenges. As an example:

Batter hits a bounding ball down the 3B line which is ruled foul by U3. F5 gloves the ball and doesn't throw. BR runs halfway and stops. The play is challenged and the replay shows that it was just barely fair. OK, we have a fair ball - now what? The only way to remedy this is to not have the umpires on the field EVER make foul calls that are close - do we really want that? Let's reverse it and now U3 makes no call, F5 overthrows and BR makes it to third. Upon replay, the ball is ruled foul. Talk about lengthening games!

The lunacy about the IFF is so freaking stupid. One controversial play (that the umpire got correct) and make it so it can be changed retroactively? Some people already think umpires favor certain teams and players - this would just add fule to the fire.

I would love to see the circus that would unfold if the runners lane was removed. Batter bunts and starts zig-zagging up the line. Sounds like fun - not.

[johnnyg08]

The only way to remedy this is to not have the umpires on the field EVER make foul calls that are close - do we really want that? Let's reverse it and

Then wait until somebody blows out their knee on a ball that should've originally been ruled foul, but was ruled fair b/c it was close.

Yeah, I refuse to read the comments from the idiot fanatics.

[cyclonehokiece]

Sometimes I wish there were limits to F2 going to pitcher, but those are normally only in games that are dragging.

[BRUMP]

The only thing I agree with is that we don't need 6 men umpire squads for the playoff games. Keep them 4 and rotate 8 every other night.

I agree 100%.

[mstaylor]

I always read comments to see how stupid people are actually. I agree they need to go to a three/five/seven system. I like the replay system the way it is but they could add anything that goes out of play. Roster size, who cares. Running lane needs to be left alone.

[Richvee]

3/5/7 makes sense for the post season.

I've got to admit I like the idea of a 25 man roster through September with "healthy scratches".

I agree with Greyhawk that fair/foul calls over the bag are a can of worms. I believe what MLB is thinking about is replay for fair/foul line drives/fly balls past the base. Still, I don't like adding more "umpire judgement" placing runners/batter-runner on plays such as liners down the line that are called foul then reversed. Trapped balls bring on the same problems...

Consider this...R1, 0 outs. looping fly to short CF. R1 goes 1/2 way. Ball ruled catch. R1 gets doubled off at 1st. Call changed to a trap....Do you assume F8 would have got R1 out @ 2nd on the force?

I think we're opening a can of worms with more IR in baseball. But I don't think they care much what I think...It's coming

Agree no OF umpires necessary in the post season.

Removing the running lane is a joke.

Love this quote...."The ball landed 225 feet from home plate -- 26 percent farther than any other infield fly call in the 2012 season on a ball that was not caught". Really? What's the point there, Tom? How many fly balls went just as far and were caught but ruled IFF? Just as relevant, don't you think?