Baseball is about to change as we know it.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that MLB has implemented an important rule change, as they’ve eliminated the four balls of the intentional walk. Instead, now managers can make a sign in the dugout and automatically move the runner to first.
It’s safe to say no one likes this change.
Several MLB personalities have criticized the move. Reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant didn’t like it. Veteran catcher Russell Martin didn’t either. And even managers, such as Joe Maddon, are against it. But without a doubt one of the most vocal detractors of this rule change has been Brandon Moss. The Kansas City Royals player said he feels “baseball will be unrecognizable in 10 years” if Manfred continues with these changes.
Perhaps Moss’ comments were a bit exaggerated. But there’s no question that no one likes this change. And I have to say it’s a big, big mistake. First of all, it’s not like eliminating the four balls is going to reduce time drastically. The rate of intentional walks given each year keeps decreasing, as we saw intentional walks just once every 2.6 games during the 2016 campaign. So we can eliminate the whole “it will greatly reduce the time of each game” argument.
What’s more important is that MLB is eliminating the human event after approving this change. We know the four balls are automatic. But what happens if there’s a runner on base, and the catcher misplays the ball? Or the pitcher throws a wild pitch? That kind of situations can easily change the outcome of a game.
And if we’re talking about productive plays during intentional walks, we can’t forget Miguel Cabrera:
Just as the announcer said, “what a smart play”. And the league has eliminated the chance of seeing plays like this in the foreseeable future.
Things might become even more complicated in the future. The idea of starting extra innings with a runner on second will be used in the World Baseball Classic and some levels of the Minors. And there are other changes that could be coming, including a pitch clock and several other moves to improve the pace of the game. And Rob Manfred said the changes are coming one way or another, even if they are unilateral.
Well done, MLB. You’re kiling the game as we know it.