MLB: Five crazy ideas baseball should try this season

Given the circumstances, if and when baseball returns, the game is sure to look a bit different. With that in mind, here are 5 crazy ideas MLB should try in 2020.

As we patiently await the MLBPA’s counteroffer to the proposal submitted by MLB and team owners, one thing is very clear: when baseball returns, the game is going to look different. In fact, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the following items are already in the proposal “in broad terms:”

An 82-game schedule
A mid-June “spring training” and an early-July Opening Day
A 14-team postseason rather than 10
Universal DH
Games against only divisional and regional opponents
Expanded rosters from 26 to 30 active players
A 20-man taxi squad of MiLB players and prospects
No fans in stadiums

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In the interest of experimentation, I have come up with FIVE more ideas. Ideas that could potentially shorten games and, hopefully, increase fan interest.

1.) We begin with eliminating the home run trot.

According to SABR, the average home run trot lasts approximately 22.02 seconds. That means that for the 2019 MLB season, 149,208 seconds were spent on home run trots. That comes to approximately 41.5 hours for the entire season, not including the playoffs.

Instead, a batter who swings for the fences will run the bases until the umpire gives the “home run” signal, then he would be greeted by his teammates by the dugout. No sense in having to watch a runner take his time around the bases.

2.) Next, we bring back the neighborhood play.

For those of you not familiar, “the neighborhood play” refers to when a defender at second base receives the ball in close proximity to second for one out, even if he doesn’t touch the base and then delivers the ball the first base for a double play.

With the implementation of instant replay, this play was essentially eliminated from the game. An umpire who called a play at second an out that technically wasn’t is now challenged and overturned.

By allowing this rule, however, you accomplish two things:

Ensure the safety of fielders who must make the turn while a runner slides into them, and…
Speed up the game because “neighborhood play” calls wouldn’t be challenged.

The play has been a part of the game for as long as I can remember, let’s just bring it back.

3.) The next idea isn’t really all that original, 7-inning doubleheaders.

With the season already being potentially cut from 162 games to 82, MLB should consider 7-inning doubleheaders. At the risk of losing games altogether because of inclement weather, make these grueling affairs less arduous by shortening the games.

4.) The fourth idea is to begin implementing the “mercy” rule.

Again, with the intention of shortening games and avoiding further embarrassment, if a game is out of hand by the 7th inning, award the leading team with the win and get on with it. There’s no need to continue watching a game that has very little chance of being interesting.

5.) Finally, we turn to Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Justin Turner who recently proposed that MLB enforce a home run derby in extra innings to determine the winner of a game.

Sure, this will make purists upset, but just picture this: the New York Yankees are facing off against the Los Angeles Dodgers and you get an alert on your phone,

“Yanks, Dodgers goes extras: Aaron Judge to face off against Cody Bellinger in home run derby.”

How many stragglers would tune in to watch the affair? The ratings would be through the roof and the sport could potentially gain it’s popularity back.

Next. MLB: Demons loom for proposal to start the season. dark

I, for one, would most definitely tune in to watch two uninteresting teams attempt to settle a game via the home run derby. Would you? Leave us a comment with your “crazy” ideas or tell me what you think about mine.

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