Baseball traditionalists, rejoice.
Commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned Thursday that the controversial — to say the least — “Golden At-Bat” rule he floated just lately received’t be coming to Main League Baseball any time quickly.
“To go from the conversation stage to this actually showing up in MLB is a very long road,” Manfred advised the Sure Community. “You don’t like the idea? I wouldn’t be too concerned about it right now.”
The rule change would permit groups to ship a hitter of their selecting to the plate — probably at any time in the course of the sport, as soon as per sport.
The Yankees, for instance, can be allowed to ship Aaron Choose to the plate with the sport on the road within the ninth inning and the underside of the order due up.
Manfred mentioned he “is not particularly in favor of” the ide, however does urge league brass to brainstorm new concepts for baseball.
“It was a very preliminary conversation which did create some buzz,” Manfred mentioned. “I do encourage the owners to have conversations about the game.”
Baseball has seen numerous adjustments underneath Manfred lately aimed toward dashing up the sport and bringing in new followers, together with instituting a pitch clock, placing a free runner on base in further innings and banning full infield shifts, amongst different adjustments.
This explicit concept, although, gave the impression to be past the pale for many followers of the game.
Sports activities radio legend Mike Francesa mentioned he would cease watching baseball altogether if the rule got here to be.
“All I’ll say about that is the day that they adopt the ‘Golden At-Bat,’ baseball and I cease to exist together,” Francesa mentioned on his podcast.
Mets radio voice Howie Rose mentioned the rule change can be “a bridge too far” for his liking.
