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NBC Sports proposes radical Major League Baseball rule change

By Dan Dechenaux

Aug 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) is interviewed by Ken Rosenthal after a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Cardinals 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph (36) is interviewed by Ken Rosenthal after a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles defeated the Cardinals 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports /
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MLB does not need this proposed rule change

Reporter Ken Rosenthal, who often covers the Major League Baseball teams as a national baseball writer, says Major League Baseball should make a rule forcing relievers to pitch to a minimum of two batters before managers may replace them, insisting that the move would lead to increased run production.

¨Here’s an idea that could both increase offense and improve the pace: Require relievers to face more than one batter per appearance. Make it at least two, or even better three,¨ Rosenthal says according to NBC sports.

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And Rosenthal turns to Writer Tom Verducci for support. ¨This nightly game of matchup relief pitching is effective — offense dries up even more in the last three innings — but it slows the game down further,” Verducci said according to Fox Sports.

Maybe so, but it is time for Rosenthal and those modern day revolutionists to stop messing with the beauty of America´s real past time. That´s right, despite the Super Bowl hype, and despite King Lebron James and his NBA traveling show, baseball is, and always will be, America´s game. And it should be left alone.

Those with Rosenthal´s point of view need to get over the idea that runs are the only thing that creates excitement. The truth is, there is nothing that is more exciting than a 2-1 thriller. In a low-scoring affair, every at bat, every sacrifice, every pitch is important. Remember how the designated hitter was supposed to be baseball´s saving grace? Well, If it had been, Rosenthal wouldn´t even be looking for ways to bring in more runs.

And the home run derby era of the late 1990´s was also hailed as the game’s savior. Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa tore the cover off the ball to artificially-set records. But that ultimately stimulated hanky panky that we now look back at with disdain. We fell for the whole circus. Just looking at the rookie cards of these guys should have made us suspicious. We were blind to the truth because we wanted to believe it was all real.
The beauty of baseball is in it’s leisurely pace and strategy. Leave both of those alone. Think about the pleasure of relaxing in a ball park. Isn´t that a big reason why you go there? If you wanted continuous, breath taking action, wouldn´t you have gone to a hockey game instead?

Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost makes a pitching change against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost makes a pitching change against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning during game seven of the 2014 World Series at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

When you come home from work at the end of a hectic week, isn´t it nice to unwind by watching Joe Girardi and Buck Showalter in a battle of wits? You get to slowly ponder the strategy through with them, and decide if you would have handled the game situations in the same way.

Then, just as you kick back and drink your favorite beverage, smack, the ball is bouncing around in the right field corner and runners are dashing around the bases, which was a Derek Jeter specialty. That´s plenty of action! Baseball doesn´t need to create a version of football´s hurry up offense. Its excitement is built in. And it allows you to catch your breath in between the action.

Although NBC claims that Theo Epstein originally came up with the idea of requiring relievers to face more than one batter, Rosenthal seems to be the one pushing for it. He just can´t seem to leave well enough alone. But Ken, think about this for a moment: if the action never stops, how are the networks going to find time to break for your game reports?

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