"Interleague is basically around so that New York, Chicago, and LA can have rivalry games while all the other teams don't have a rival and don't get any extra benefit."

Word. It's particularly crappy for teams in the NL Central, since the divisional imbalance ensures that there's always at least one member on the sidelines.

And who is the Pirates' rival? The only other in-state team (Philadelphia) is in the same league. The city's traditional rival (Cleveland) is paired up with their own in-state rival (Cincinnati). I think they tried to give us Toronto, which makes absolutely no sense for anyone who isn't still nursing a grudge over the War of 1812.

"10. No DH (yes, I realize the MLBPA would never go for this)"

God bless you, Dayn, for mentioning this.

I bet there's at least some situation under which the MLBPA would accept this. Raise the minimum salary to $1M? No price is too high to pay, if it gets rid of the DH...

I'm a little surprised how few changes would be made above. Imagine being boss of your company for a day - how many changes would you make there? We're imagining some sort of dictatorial power over MLB and really not coming up with a whole lot, IMO.

I didn't think anyone would want to hear about my "sell MLB.com back to the law firm that used to own it" plan...

Those AAA cities would have to build larger stadiums though. Victory Field's (Indy) capacity is only about 14,500; Portland's is 20,000; Nashville's is 10,500; Durham's is 10,000. Even if Portalnd was filled to capacity every game, that is only 1,620,000 for a season, which is about what the Royals drew last year. However, even the other three cities drew to capacity, they'd be well under the Marlins' paid attendance.

Obviously they'd have to build new stadiums. I didn't think they'd be ready tomorrow. And, again, this makes the assumption that most of the money is made from ticket sales, which I still don't believe is true. Yes, a good percentage is, but I think most is made from media market size, and Indy, Portland, and Raleigh-Durham are bigger media markets than Cincy, Milwaukee, and KC.

"10. No DH (yes, I realize the MLBPA would never go for this)"

Actually, I think that if I could only make one change, adding the DH to the NL would be near the top of my list. My biggest priorities would be:

-Add DH to NL
-Home field in playoffs is based on records. Not Division winning, not Interleague Play, not All-Star games, not the position of Mars relative to Neptune and it's 4th moon.
-Eliminate Interleague Play.

Obviously they'd have to build new stadiums. I didn't think they'd be ready tomorrow. And, again, this makes the assumption that most of the money is made from ticket sales, which I still don't believe is true. Yes, a good percentage is, but I think most is made from media market size, and Indy, Portland, and Raleigh-Durham are bigger media markets than Cincy, Milwaukee, and KC.

But one of the reasons Cincy is a big enough market to support an MLB team is because Indy doesn't have a team. Drop a team in Indy and you'd have two struggling franchises.

But one of the reasons Cincy is a big enough market to support an MLB team is because Indy doesn't have a team. Drop a team in Indy and you'd have two struggling franchises.

Eh. Lived in Indy, trust me, the Cincy influence isn't really there. None of the games are on tv, they aren't on any local radio, and they aren't covered heavily in the newspapers.

Eh. Lived in Indy, trust me, the Cincy influence isn't really there. None of the games are on tv, they aren't on any local radio, and they aren't covered heavily in the newspapers.

Not anymore (the Reds did have a pretty sizable Indy presence in the 80s, before the club stopped trying). But for an Indy MLB team to succeed, it can't just do it from Marion and the surrounding counties, but from much of the state. And it will have trouble in Eastern Indiana, where the Reds do have something of a media presence, as well as other parts of the state that are already committed to the Cubs, White Sox, Cards or even Tigers. If you were starting from scratch, Indy might make a better market than Cincinnati. As it is, it's probably worse.

According to the Reds website, they're currently on WNDE in Indianapolis. I wonder if that's a relatively new development. I seem to recall that they were on WIBC at one point, though.

Anyway, my list, for the record:

1. Expand the strikezone back to late '80s size, with the low strike and the inside corner called.

2. Raise the mound.

3. Institute a minimum bat handle thickness.

4. Eliminate divisions, and use a seeded playoff system, 1-4 in each league.

5. Get as close to a balanced schedule as possible with the current league configurations.

6. Eliminate the DH.

7. No base if hit on a pad or below the hands by a pitch.

8. All stadia must be modified to have as much foul territory as the Oakland Coliseum.

Obviously they'd have to build new stadiums. I didn't think they'd be ready tomorrow. And, again, this makes the assumption that most of the money is made from ticket sales, which I still don't believe is true. Yes, a good percentage is, but I think most is made from media market size, and Indy, Portland, and Raleigh-Durham are bigger media markets than Cincy, Milwaukee, and KC.

At least in the 1990s, when MLB last released alleged data, every team except the Yankees made more money from attendance-related revenues (tickets, concessions, parking, etc.) than from media.

4. Eliminate divisions, and use a seeded playoff system, 1-4 in each league.

I think this is a horrible idea. As much as the current setup does to limit the pennant race, your proposal would completely eliminate them. The only "race" would be between the 4th and 5th best team in the league to see which one made it.

This is a basketball idea, and it makes sense in basketball because seedings matter in basketball because home field advantage matters in basketball. But HFA makes such a small difference in baseball that there's no interest in seeing how teams are seeded.

"Actually, I think that if I could only make one change, adding the DH to the NL would be near the top of my list. "

Which, in turn, places "Murder Jimmy P, just in case" on the bottom of MY list.

Which, in turn, places "Murder Jimmy P, just in case" to the bottom of MY list.

Welcome to the club, line forms to the left.

Obviously they'd have to build new stadiums. I didn't think they'd be ready tomorrow.

They might not be ready ever. Stadiums aren't cheap, and in many places ,taxpayers are tired of footing the bill. Nashville can't even get their new AAA stadium built.

And, again, this makes the assumption that most of the money is made from ticket sales,

No, it doesn't -- at all. Gate receipts don't even consititute 50% of an MLB team's total revenue. However, it is still a boatload of money. A team only drawing 1.2 to 1.5 million at the gate is going to be severely financially restricted, especially since they almost certainly won't have large local television contracts.

and Indy, Portland, and Raleigh-Durham are bigger media markets than Cincy, Milwaukee, and KC.

The difference isn't large enough to obtain local media contracts that will offset the the attendance.

Check out All-Star ballots and throw out any that vote for 9 players from the same team (and, in an ideal world, ######### the person that filled out the ballot.

Reason why (note Julio Lugo)

For those folks who want pitching changes limited, introduce a rule by which a player cannot be replaced unless he has batted at least once in the game. When the DH rule is used, the pitcher cannot be replaced unless the DH has batted at least once since the pitcher entered the game. (FWIW, I'm OK with the amount of pitching changes as they are; I'm just suggesting an alternate rule.)

1) Eliminate interleague play. The scheduling issues are not worth it.

2) Expand MLB by six teams. Increase the number of teams in NY by two, Boston by one, and LA by at least one. Auction off the rights to expansion/relocation to those markets. If the highest bidder is for an expansion franchise, expand there; if it's an existing franchise, allow them to move there, with an expansion franchise replacing them in their former market. (I'll leave it up to the next commissioner to decide whether the auction proceeds should go partly to the existing teams in those markets.)

2a) Expand each division to include 6 teams. Schedule 18 games against each divisional opponent, and 6 games against teams in other divisions. 18x5 + 6x12 = 162.

2b) Use overall record to determine division champion. To determine wild card winner, use (record outside division + record in last 6 games against each divisional opponent). This allows for division title to be based on unbalanced schedule, but wild card to be based on balanced schedule, which is (on some level) more fair.

3) Use expanded rosters at the start of the season, not the end.

3a) Start the season two weeks earlier, replacing the tail end of spring training with actual games (using the expanded rosters).

3b) Schedule the Divisional Series for the last week(s) of September. Expand to 7 games.

4) Eliminate rain delays. Sure, play gets ugly. So what?

5) Make the amateur draft the ONLY means of entry into MLB. Do not allow annual expiration of drafting rights; let 'em last until, say, a player reaches age 28. Allow drafting rights to be traded.

6) Allow instant replay in select cases, as suggested elsewhere.

7) No maple bats.

At least in the 1990s, when MLB last released alleged data, every team except the Yankees made more money from attendance-related revenues (tickets, concessions, parking, etc.) than from media.

If you include concessions and parking, then "total gate" might outweigh other sources. In 2006, only 1.9 billion of baseball's total 5.1 billion in revenues was from the ticket sales (source: Forbes).

Check out All-Star ballots and throw out any that vote for 9 players from the same team (and, in an ideal world, ######### the person that filled out the ballot.

Reason why (note Julio Lugo)

If you assume that every vote for Lugo is from someone who voted for Red Sox players at every position, the only Sox player currently in the lead who would lose their lead is Varitek. Youkilis, Pedroia, Ramirez, and Ortiz would still lead the voting at their positions.

Speaking of all stars...there's a good chance Jack Cust could be the A's all star rep this year. Jack Cust: All Star. Baseball's a funny game.

Why does basketball have so many playoff teams? Even back in the 60s they had most of the teams in the playoffs.

Anyone know?

Pitchout wouldn't help. After the first pickoff attempt, as soon as the pitcher has the ball back, the runner could take off and the pitcher couldn't do anything about it.

In that event, the pitcher could would be free to throw to the base the runner was heading towards.

That said, it wasn't a good idea and I won't defend it any further than that.

Maybe it was so that the NBA would be more like the NCAA tournament, but I don't really know what the NCAA tournament was like back then, either.

"Speaking of all stars...there's a good chance Jack Cust could be the A's all star rep this year."

Why wouldn't they just pick one of the pitchers? Eveland, Smith, and Duck-shearer all have ERAs under 3, and the pen is pretty killer too.

If you include concessions and parking, then "total gate" might outweigh other sources.

You should also include what's called venue revenues: advertising signage, luxury box rentals, etc.

Why does basketball have so many playoff teams? Even back in the 60s they had most of the teams in the playoffs.

Probably because they thought it would increase interest in the sport. They needed to do something: Before the late 1960s, it was rare for an NBA team (other than the Celtics and Lakers) to average even 5,000 fans a game. Average attendance at an NBA game didn't reach 10,000 fans until the 1975-76 season.

Why wouldn't they just pick one of the pitchers? Eveland, Smith, and Duck-shearer all have ERAs under 3, and the pen is pretty killer too.

They very well could. Smith and Eveland don't have the wins the guys picking All Stars usually like and they're both rookies (Eveland is close enough). Duke hasn't pitched many innings yet because of his stint on the dl. Casilla has been great out of the pen, but he's hurt now. Street has been just ok. I'm not sure who they will pick, but Cust has as strong a case as anyone else. It's too bad Mark Ellis has scuffled a bit in the early going. It would have been nice to see him finally get some recognition. I'd probably choose Greg Smith to go. He's quickly becoming my favorite Athletic.

In the very first season that basketball-reference has attendance figures, the Knicks drew 186,882 fans in 1949-50. They played 68 games that year, so assuming 34 home games they averaged 5,497 fans. The site has a chart that lists yearly attendance since the 1960-61 season and the Knicks were never under 8,000 per season.

http://www.basketballreference.com/teams/teamatt.htm?tm=nyk&lg=n

Nah, too harsh.

If you hit the ball, and your bat breaks into two or more pieces, the ball is dead and you're still up at bat.

except you have to use one of the broken pieces when you resume your at-bat

1. The bat thing.
2. Eliminate the draft, the arbitration system, etc... Full free agency for everyone.
3. Massive revenue sharing. Not sure what the best system is I'll admit.
4. Instant replay.
5. No more umps calling ball and strikes.
6. Eliminate the luxury tax.
7. The pick-off throws thing.
8. The batters box thing.
9. Expand into Mexico City and Brooklyn.
10. Get rid of either the leagues, or interleague play. I'm largely indifferent to which.

I would outlaw the intentional walk. I would shorten the season by two weeks, by shortening the schedule to 154 games and scheduling five or six doubleheaders per team. I would — and this is something Bill James has been recommending for years — standardize and supply the bats. I would shorten the time between half-innings by 30 seconds. I would order the umpires to enforce the rules prohibiting fielders from blocking bases (including home plate) [Ed. note: This was days before Albert Pujols cleaned out Josh Bard]. I would do whatever I could to lower the number of pitching changes. Oh, and I would set a maximum decibel level for ballpark sound systems that would result in a great deal less noise than we hear now. (Yes, I know… Hey, you stupid kids! Get out of my yard!)

I really dislike the argument for outlawing intentional walk, it makes no sense, it's part of the managers, players and gms strategy that happens. Look at the Cardinals this year, out of the gate Pujols was getting walked left or right because they had no one behind him, Ludwick gets hot and Pujols goes five games in a row without a walk....that is a great thing in my opinion, If I was a Giant fan I wouldn't be upset(well yes I would, but not primarily) at the other team for Walking Bonds, but at my team for not getting a Dunn or Burrell(both probably available to them at one point in time) type of player to back him up.


I also hate the argument for lowering the number of pitching changes. I can live with a limit (relief pitcher stays in until the inning is over or a man put on base, with of course a caveat for legitmate injuries...heck penalize a team for claiming an injury, that if the pitcher is removed due to injury he has to go on a 5 day dl or worse)

I'm all for enforcing any and all the rules as written, and in fact would set up a committe or something to grade umps and teams for staying within the rules (remember the illegal catchers box in Atlanta)


the standarizing of the bat makes very little sense if he means a universal bat, but standarizing of a bat such as dimensions, weight, etc is fine. (minimum barrell thickness comes to mind immediately)

not sure about the maximum decibel level thing, I don't think my park has a huge problem with it, but of course the Rams stadium does have a huge problem with this even though there are rules in effect there.

Great interview by Ducksnort, and good replies by Rob (I know he's trying to be humble but I'll argue that his writing skills are good and very readable which is why he is so popular)
I haven't read any of the comments on here yet, so I'm going to do that now and annoy/interject anywhere I want.

I agree with not shortening the season, would love to see more doubleheaders (and yes I'm fine with day/night dh's in cities that can support them) Heck I even agree about adding another player to the roster, although I wouldn't argue too much about a rule saying no more than 13 designated pitching spots if that is the case. (although in my opinion that is too much micromanaging) I would even be fine with using the hockey system of available roster spots, team has 28-30 players on the roster of which 25 are announced before game time. (most team would then bench a couple of their starting pitchers and a day-to-day injured player and still have a full bullpen and bench)

I hate the idea of relegation, in my opinion it eliminates some fanbases probably.

I don't get this hatred against interleague play, it makes no sense except it's "history" I would prefer a better version of it, as a Cardinal fan it gets tiresome every year justifying us playing the Royals so much.

I would support best interleague record gets homefield advantage instead of the all star game, I would also allow free substitution in the all-star game if the managers are going to insists everyone plays, then there should be an outclause in case of an injury (note: someone can't get swapped back in, until all position players play and maybe a few other rules)


since I'm anti-dh as a professional position I would keep the dh in the al but require that a player must have played 1/3rd of this seasons games in the field or 1/4th of the previous season in the field or be considered a rookie or have missed the previous season due to injury(or missed over 1/3rd at least)

1) I like Bunyon's idea of adding a roster spot and scheduling more double headers. It seems like a practical trade off. More day games are great.

2) I would mandate at least one day game for each playoff series, and get rid of super-late playoff games.

3) Adding a roster spot makes the pitching change/length of game problem even worse. I'd institute a time-out system (2 or 3 per team) where managers/coaches can't go on the field without using a timeout (for pitching changes, talking to pitchers/players, arguing with umps....anything except injuries). To make pitching changes/substitutions otherwise, they can yell out to the umpire. Player changes must be prompt. The substitution must be called for within 15 seconds of the end of the previous play or a timeout is charged, and some strict but reasonable guideline would be instituted for when the substitute would be ready, or they would be charged with a ball/strike penalty. Also, limit catchers going to the mound to 3 times per game. And enforce other rules about the speed of the game.

4) I'd let the players and owners vote if they want instant replay for home runs, foul balls and plays at the plate...if 60% of both agree, then it's in. But managers would need to have a timeout available to challenge a play. The umpires could challenge plays on their own too, but knowing umpires, that wouldn't happen often.

5) Strip Cleveland of it's mascot and nickname.

6) Move the Tampa Rays to NY metro area.

7) Lowering decibel levels at stadiums sounds good.

8) Remove the stupidest of the blackout rules from MLBAM & cable & Fox broadcasts.

9) Force teams to broadcast all games or make MLBAM free for games when there is no local TV.

10) Have MLBAM allow for fans to simulcast their own play-by-play along with live streaming video. Some enterprising fans/bloggers might gain a following and sell some of their own advertising (MLB could still cut away for their own ads between innings & during time-outs, and show on-screen ads during the broadcast). If nothing else, you could get some alternative language broadcasts going, and give old-media broadcasters some much needed competition. It's a money loser, but it would get fans more involved.

11) There would be a 25-man-per-game roster for September games to limit micro-managing. The manager would still get at least 4-5 fresh extra players per game by swapping out starters and players that need a rest...that's more than enough.

12) All teams would be forced to invest (give away) 1% of revenue and 1% of tickets to youth baseball & softball charities.

13) Have managers and players and probably questec rate umpires each year. The worst few percent of umpires lose their jobs each year.

14) No HBP on balls that hit armor.

15) Eliminate the WBC.

60. Andy Posted: May 27, 2008 at 07:06 PM (#2795970)

----32 teams, 8 divisions of 4 teams each, no wild card

----WS home field advantage to the league of the defending World Champion (call it the "winner breaks" rule)

----either 154 games or 8 doubleheaders; in any event, cut a week from each end of the season

----only one home and one road uniform per team, per season

----postseason games to begin no later than 7:00 local time, regardless of time zone

----during the LCS round, mandatory day games whenever two home teams from the same time zone are scheduled on the same day

----strictly enforce the 20 second rule with a giant clock hovering over the stadium

----legalize the spitball and other trick pitches

----allow the elbow protector, but no free base if a pitch hits it, unless the batter hits the ground trying to avoid it

----10% of the seats behind the plate to be sold at inflation-adjusted 1958 prices on an unreserved, first come/first served basis, beginning two hours before the game; ticket buyers' hands will be stamped and displayed upon entry along with ticket to prevent scalping; and as a sop to the adjacent luxury box owners, no waiters or waitresses shall take these bargain hunters' food orders

----designated section for cigar smokers and tobacco chewers, but only the cheap and stinky variety; no "cigar aficianados" and no spittoons

----eliminate any noise amplification other than a popcorn megaphone, and resurrect Pat Pieper; music restricted to live kazoos and other acoustical instruments for the untalented

----hard liquor section with at least 10% reserved for moonshine; may be combined with the stinky cigar section

----mandatory 15 minute autograph session before each game, rotated among groupings of five players per game from each team, strictly reserved for children under 13 years old, and each autograph must be personalized to foil greedy little entrepreneurs

----owners must pass a stiff baseball history test, present owners included and no exceptions

And that's the way it oughta be.

I would support almost all of that. although I don't completly agree with the ws homefield advantage thing(I prefer league record in interleague if it's too impossible to do best record for logistical reasons) also don't support the one home and one road uniform. I think it needs to be reigned in, but considering that many of the special uniforms that are worn are usually auctioned off to charity I think there is some valid reason to keep them provided they make sense. (St Louis should have worn 1950 jerseys for Stan Musial day) Not sure I agree about the trick pitches either. but agree about most of the post season selections. (I may go as far as 7:30 local time though)

Is cfb gonna Dial this whole thread?

Wait until he gets to that guy who wanted to contract the Cardinals.

the number of people on here that want to eliminate seem to think their job as commissioner is to make the game the way they want it. Fans love the dh, sorry hate to say it, but casual fans love the dh, american league fans love the dh(unless they are hard core traditionalists) it makes zero sense to eliminate something that is popular. And the playoff system as is, is widely popular, it doesn't need shrinked down or eliminated, we could argue if there is necessity for a wild card if you have 32 teams, but there is no reason to eliminate a round of the playoffs.

I love the Mexico City addition(not keen on the Cuba plan though) and think legitimate revenue sharing closer to what football offers makes more sense than a penalty tax for salary.

132. Gary Geiger Counter and the Malaska Pipeline Posted: May 28, 2008 at 04:07 PM (#2797075)

Is cfb gonna Dial this whole thread?
133. bunyon Posted: May 28, 2008 at 04:07 PM (#2797076)

Wait until he gets to that guy who wanted to contract the Cardinals

yep, I plan on responding to posts I read in this thread (I've been in the hospital for the previous 24 hours so I missed some stuff)

and what knucklehead would contract the Cardinals? heck what knucklehead would contract anyteam if you are pretending to be commissioner actual contraction is insane... threat of contraction is a good tool, but actual makes no sense.

6) Move the Tampa Rays to NY metro area.

Right. Because, if you look at this year's standings, it's obvious that the Rays can't compete against the mighty Yankees.

and what knucklehead would contract the Cardinals? heck what knucklehead would contract anyteam if you are pretending to be commissioner actual contraction is insane... threat of contraction is a good tool, but actual makes no sense.

Haha. gotcha. I hope you're alright.

And the Cuba thing just fell out of a post I made over at foreignpolicythinkfactory.com. I bet Raul would trade running Cuba for a MLB franchise, though the offer would have been better made to Fidel.

114. villageidiom Posted: May 28, 2008 at 01:57 PM (#2796911)

For those folks who want pitching changes limited, introduce a rule by which a player cannot be replaced unless he has batted at least once in the game. When the DH rule is used, the pitcher cannot be replaced unless the DH has batted at least once since the pitcher entered the game. (FWIW, I'm OK with the amount of pitching changes as they are; I'm just suggesting an alternate rule.)

1) Eliminate interleague play. The scheduling issues are not worth it.

2) Expand MLB by six teams. Increase the number of teams in NY by two, Boston by one, and LA by at least one. Auction off the rights to expansion/relocation to those markets. If the highest bidder is for an expansion franchise, expand there; if it's an existing franchise, allow them to move there, with an expansion franchise replacing them in their former market. (I'll leave it up to the next commissioner to decide whether the auction proceeds should go partly to the existing teams in those markets.)

2a) Expand each division to include 6 teams. Schedule 18 games against each divisional opponent, and 6 games against teams in other divisions. 18x5 + 6x12 = 162.

2b) Use overall record to determine division champion. To determine wild card winner, use (record outside division + record in last 6 games against each divisional opponent). This allows for division title to be based on unbalanced schedule, but wild card to be based on balanced schedule, which is (on some level) more fair.

3) Use expanded rosters at the start of the season, not the end.

3a) Start the season two weeks earlier, replacing the tail end of spring training with actual games (using the expanded rosters).

3b) Schedule the Divisional Series for the last week(s) of September. Expand to 7 games.

4) Eliminate rain delays. Sure, play gets ugly. So what?

5) Make the amateur draft the ONLY means of entry into MLB. Do not allow annual expiration of drafting rights; let 'em last until, say, a player reaches age 28. Allow drafting rights to be traded.

6) Allow instant replay in select cases, as suggested elsewhere.

7) No maple bats.

some new Ideas I haven't really seen before. disagree with 1(eliminate interleague play) I love 2 just not sure how well it would work and of course the expansion draft would be a major headache. 3 seems to go hand in hand with numbeer 2

I've seen the expanded rosters as an option at the start of the season mentioned before and I have to agree, it just makes more sense. Sorry don't agree about the eliminate rain delays just not practical or safe. Amateur draft rule seems ok, but not sure it really works as presented. In my opinion it's insane not to have instant replay, it's a matter of implementation over necessity in my opinion. I would hate NFL style replay as I know for a fact that my manager would throw out the red beanie to get his bullpen more warm up time. disagree about the maple bats, if they had thicker handles they would be less likely to break

Heh, I was just joshing you, CFB. I welcome threads with staying power.

Haha. gotcha. I hope you're alright.
137. bunyon Posted: May 28, 2008 at 04:23 PM (#2797095)

And the Cuba thing just fell out of a post I made over at foreignpolicythinkfactory.com. I bet Raul would trade running Cuba for a MLB franchise, though the offer would have been better made to Fidel.

for the record I'm a fan of anything that could help corrupt Cuba (I've always opposed the trade embargo, feeling that the more americanized Cuba got, the harder it would be for them to embrace a non-Fidel regime)

as to being alright, just shoulder surgery, makes it tough to type and use a mouse since it's my right shoulder (although since my desktop exploded and I have to use my laptop, the scroll mouse is very useful for my left hand)

130. Craig in MN Posted: May 28, 2008 at 04:01 PM (#2797065)

1) I like Bunyon's idea of adding a roster spot and scheduling more double headers. It seems like a practical trade off. More day games are great.

2) I would mandate at least one day game for each playoff series, and get rid of super-late playoff games.

3) Adding a roster spot makes the pitching change/length of game problem even worse. I'd institute a time-out system (2 or 3 per team) where managers/coaches can't go on the field without using a timeout (for pitching changes, talking to pitchers/players, arguing with umps....anything except injuries). To make pitching changes/substitutions otherwise, they can yell out to the umpire. Player changes must be prompt. The substitution must be called for within 15 seconds of the end of the previous play or a timeout is charged, and some strict but reasonable guideline would be instituted for when the substitute would be ready, or they would be charged with a ball/strike penalty. Also, limit catchers going to the mound to 3 times per game. And enforce other rules about the speed of the game.

4) I'd let the players and owners vote if they want instant replay for home runs, foul balls and plays at the plate...if 60% of both agree, then it's in. But managers would need to have a timeout available to challenge a play. The umpires could challenge plays on their own too, but knowing umpires, that wouldn't happen often.

5) Strip Cleveland of it's mascot and nickname.

6) Move the Tampa Rays to NY metro area.

7) Lowering decibel levels at stadiums sounds good.

8) Remove the stupidest of the blackout rules from MLBAM & cable & Fox broadcasts.

9) Force teams to broadcast all games or make MLBAM free for games when there is no local TV.

10) Have MLBAM allow for fans to simulcast their own play-by-play along with live streaming video. Some enterprising fans/bloggers might gain a following and sell some of their own advertising (MLB could still cut away for their own ads between innings & during time-outs, and show on-screen ads during the broadcast). If nothing else, you could get some alternative language broadcasts going, and give old-media broadcasters some much needed competition. It's a money loser, but it would get fans more involved.

11) There would be a 25-man-per-game roster for September games to limit micro-managing. The manager would still get at least 4-5 fresh extra players per game by swapping out starters and players that need a rest...that's more than enough.

12) All teams would be forced to invest (give away) 1% of revenue and 1% of tickets to youth baseball & softball charities.

13) Have managers and players and probably questec rate umpires each year. The worst few percent of umpires lose their jobs each year.

14) No HBP on balls that hit armor.

15) Eliminate the WBC.

some I agree some I disagree. 2 mandated at least one day playoff game.. yep agreed. 3. disagree about a timeout system at all. also disagree about managers requesting replay. I hate that concept, if it's clear that the call is wrong from the booth it should be changed without any involvement from the teams. I love the rule about Cleveland and Atlanta changing their names and mascots. It may be a tad too politically correct for me, but still it just makes too much sense. disagree about moving tampa to ny, I honestly think with enough effort it can develop a fan base. agreed about both points of blackout restrictions and televising. I really like point 10, but don't see it happening. It's a shame because it would be one of the ways that MLB could create a new market(and if they do it right eventually reap money off of it) about the 25 man on the roster limit, sure fine with that for september, as I said before I think that baseball should have nhl style of swapping out personally. don't care about the charity aspect of the game, pro teams invest in charity more than any other entertainment out there, until you force spielberg and lucas to give money for archaelogy charities or whatnot, or keanu reaves to fund a talent contest or something, I don't really see the need to bag on sports for their lack of charity. As mentioned multiple times I support a legitimate public grading system for umpires (and even teams) that has some teeth too it. HBP by armor, I can live with or without it, provided they are enforcing the rules of attempt to get out of the way.


dang, I forgot to comment on the eliminate the WBC. I give that a resounding HELL NO. I don't understand the hatred against this thing, you know my brother who doesn't follow baseball at all, didn't know who Ichiro was, saw the WBC and went up to me and said that Ichiro guy could probably play in the majors. I had to tell him that he's been playing since Albert came up and in fact won both the MVP and ROY his first season in the majors. My brother asked how come they didn't play it again a year later and was upset but he is now watching Cardinal games a lot more regular and even knows stuff about the game (when we were kids he got upset because he didn't score a run when he was on third and a guy grounded out to first, my brother scored before the force out at first and couldn't understand why he didn't get a run)

139. Gary Geiger Counter and the Malaska Pipeline Posted: May 28, 2008 at 04:34 PM (#2797110)

Heh, I was just joshing you, CFB. I welcome threads with staying power.

well I'm done with this thread, now to take a vicadin and go onto another thread :)

6) Move the Tampa Rays to NY metro area.

Right. Because, if you look at this year's standings, it's obvious that the Rays can't compete against the mighty Yankees.

They might be able to compete in Tampa, but they will be better able to compete in NY. Baseball as a whole will be slightly better off for the move. It is probably the issue I care least about, of the 15 I listed.


don't care about the charity aspect of the game, pro teams invest in charity more than any other entertainment out there, until you force spielberg and lucas to give money for archaelogy charities or whatnot, or keanu reaves to fund a talent contest or something, I don't really see the need to bag on sports for their lack of charity.

I'm not bagging on their lack of charity....I am suggesting it is wise to cultivate the next generation of baseball lovers. One percent is a cheap but significant way to do that. Speilberg doesn't need archeology lovers to sell movie tickets for a few movies. If no one wants to see movies about archeologists, he'll make a movie about something else. MLB needs baseball lovers to sell tickets to thousands of baseball games a year. It is just a bonus that they can call creating their own fan base "charity".

I guess, but the truth is that ball teams invest a lot of money into multiple charities, it may be just pr sake, but it's still a significant amount of money either way. I'm pretty sure that MLB already has a fund set up for baseball clinics in other countries so they are doing some work there, then you have other programs (RBI?) which MLB raises money for, which of course includes money from the teams.

Mind you, I don't really disagree with you at all, in fact I think it would be a great idea for teams that are on extended road trip to set up tournaments in the home stadium, film it(maybe not televise it, but still something for the kids to have) etc. I'm not arguing against your idea, far from it, I just don't think it's a rule that has to be instituted.

Sorry don't agree about the eliminate rain delays just not practical or safe.

It's more practical to play through, rain or shine. If the fans know it won't be rescheduled or delayed, and they already paid for the ticket, they'll show in far greater numbers than they do currently. And rescheduling becomes easier, because there will be almost no need. (Snow? Tornado? Earthquake?) OTOH, there might be fewer advance sales.

Safety is an issue, but both teams are playing under the same conditions. There's incentive for both teams to play a physically cautious style.

In any series that represents a team's last or only visit to a city, they typically won't cancel a game, and often they won't delay it for bad weather if worse weather is expected later. I'm just suggesting they expand the policy to all games.

disagree about the maple bats, if they had thicker handles they would be less likely to break

I think it's easier to enforce wood type than it is to enforce handle size; players can plane down the handles after inspection, but they can't change the wood. Otherwise I'd agree.

I love 2 just not sure how well it would work and of course the expansion draft would be a major headache.

They don't have to expand by six teams all at once - although, I suppose if I'm commissioner for one day they'd pretty much have to do it at once, eh?

I doubt that many players would plane down the handles after inspection, besides it would be real easy to equip an ump with a collapseable ring to carry in his pocket to quickly examine a bat (and make it automatic that he examined a bat after every shatter with penalty to follow)


I love the concept of imagining how a six team expansion draft would work. Just a fun game to play in my head. Not sure of the best way to go about it. I imagine you give the new teams the first six spots in the amateur draft (heck make it six straight years rotating them around for first pick) lock the forty man roster (I would argue that teams could lock 20 on active and 20 on their minor league roster) and then have the draft. No matter what system is set in place I want a system that pretty much guarantees that the expansion teams aren't good their first three years, and of course they would have to be in different divisions. (sorry I'm not usually an old fogey about stuff like that, but it's a time honored tradition of expansion teams sucking and I like it like that)