New Rules

I stumbled across some Major League Baseball rule changes that are going into effect this season. These are the first rule changes since 1996. Here is the link to the article. Some of these I had to read about 5 times to figure out exactly what they meant. Others I understood the first time I read, but that didn't mean they made any sense to me.

I don't want to write about all of them, you can read them for yourself, I just have a few comments on a couple.
Under another change, a player may no longer step into a dugout to catch a foul ball. He still will be allowed to reach into a dugout.

Okay, I guess this is a safety rule, but they are taking away some of baseball's best highlights. Yeah, baseball is far from the physical sport of football. But, how many football players a going to dive down a set of concrete steps into a bench, cinder block walls, bats, helmets and players, all without looking where they are going, just to catch a ball that isn't in play? What about the player whose momentum carries him into the dugout? Will there be instant replay?

A batter running to first base also will be allowed to exit the 3-foot lane in foul territory "for the sole purpose of touching first base," and a batter will lose the ability to run to first on a dropped third strike if he leaves the dirt circle around home plate unless he does so while trying to reach first base.

What the Hell does, "for the sole purpose of touching fist base," mean? Why else would you be running down the baseline? If you run out of the 3 ft area to avoid a tag, isn't your sole reason for doing this to reach first base?

And why can't you run to first after leaving the dirt circle? The only advantage, on a dropped third strike, the batter has is surprise, unless the ball ends up at the backstop. Furthermore, a Major League catcher knows to tag the runner or make the throw to 1st anyway, and if he doesn't, (making him the Manny Ramirez of catchers), he will learn quickly.

Another change allows pitchers to wear a multicolored glove if the umpire determines it isn't distracting. And a pitcher in the stretch position instead of a windup with no runners on base no longer will have to come to a complete stop.
The first part is blatantly about pitchers' endorsement deals. The second has more to do with this next part:

With no runners on, a pitcher will be required to pitch within 12 seconds, the timing starting when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the batter's box, alert to the pitcher.

Maybe 12 seconds is more than enough time, but I hate rules meant to speed-up the game. This is part of baseball, a way for the pitcher to get in the batter's head. Baseball is played everyday and most games are on locally. My point being that it's not like football, college or pro, where there is always another game to get on the air. Quit trying to change the rules to accommodate the people that think the game is too long, or boring! If they don't like it, who needs them? I know Major League Baseball does, but educate people about the game then, don't change the game for them.

I've got to get ready to take Mattie to her meet today in Poland, OH at Kathi's Dance and Gym Center. This may or may not be nothing more than a house. I Have tomorrow off so look for a full update, and please cross your fingers for her vault.