Open debate, Shift or No Shift and the DH too.....

#26
#26
txbo said:
I'm actually cool with bunting into the shift. I'm a big fan of "hit 'em where they aint". It's a skill and the shift let's it shine.
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And if enough players learn to hit it where they aint, the shift will eliminate itself. That's the perfection of the game of baseball. It truly is a great game, once you learn the games within the game.
 
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#28
#28
I'm fine with the DH, but I'm also an American league guy so I feel like the split is very clearly defined by which team you support.

I understand the "lose the strategy" side of the argument, but at the same time how often do we see a starting pitcher absolutely dealing yet you have to take him out because your team needs to pinch hit to try and drive runs in during the 5th or 6th inning of a game? You then pinch hit, and the next inning your relief guy gets shelled.

I get it, the counter argument is "Well, that's a failed strategy! Too bad!" But, I like that the DH allows us to see starting pitchers go deeper if they're pitching well, and it provides more excitement. The rare pitcher who can actually hit does not make up for the vast majority that are sub 0.100 batters. That's boring.
 
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#29
#29
Guys like Tony Gwynn, Rod Carew, Ichiro Suzuki, George Brett, Hank Aaron, Pete Rose, etc. all had the ability to hit to the opposite field, whether the pitch dictated or defense alignment shading to one field or the other (there was no such thing as the "shift" during their respective eras). But the ability to hit the opposite field, like bunting, has become a thing of the past, players now are more interested in clearing the fences, exit velocity, etc. As a St. Louis Cardinal fan, it frustrated me to no end watching Matt Carpenter, left-handed hitter, continue bat after bat swing away into the shift and his batting average suffered to the point that the Cardinals did not exercise his club option for the 2022 season. He neither tried or cared to bunt or use an inside out swing to punch the ball to left field.

For me, let the defenses shift, it will force batters to learn to hit to the opposite field and bunt.

Games change over time which forces different strategies, both defensively and offensively. MLB raised the pitcher's mound 6" primarily in response to Bob Gibson, and others, pitching inside to hitters with great velocity which in turn produced low scoring games - offense fills seats and defense wins championships.

Let teams create their own strategies and let others react . . .

GBO
 
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#30
#30
I despise the shift and long appreciated the strategy that the NL had to implement (without the DH) over the AL. With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed the DH use and the shortened 60 game season of the COVID shortened season. I‘m afraid the DH brings an end to a lot of the strategy in the “thinking man’s game” but I admittedly grew tired of watching the flailing majority of the pitchers at the plate.
 
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#31
#31
I don’t want the shift banned but I’m glad to see NL getting a DH. I understand the anti shift argument though. SEC pitchers are throwing as hard/ harder as MLB pitchers did 10-15 years ago. The pro game is getting pretty wild
 
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#32
#32
The game was fine the way it was until the AL commies got in with that stupid DH rule. Its gone to hell in a hand basket ever since. Now they are gonna muck it up further by dictating rules like these. PUKE. You don't like the shift, learn to be more than a one side of the field hitter. Be a more complete player. And what was this crud I heard about bigger bases? Might as well move the mound back 10 feet to help the batters out more as well.
 
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#33
#33
I’ve become a little more indifferent to it, but also torn. I used to be very against the DH but it really doesn’t make sense for one league to have it and the other to not have it. I will miss the strategy that goes into when do I need to pull my pitcher because he is coming up in the order, and the double switches will be far and few between. I also really enjoy the big game pinch hitter moments and that will go away.

As far as the shifts go, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen Freddie Freeman rope one into RF only for it to get caught by the 3B that’s playing all the way on the other side of the field. To me, it’s part of the game and the tough luck of baseball. It’s a sport that is built around overcoming failure and that was just another wrinkle. It makes you appreciate the old school hitters that hit the ball to all parts of the field.
 
#35
#35
DH was needed in both leagues.
The shift being banned is dumb. MLB players are supposed to be the best in the world, I know its not as simple as just hit it the other way, but if theyre the best available in the sport they need to learn how to make adjustments.
 
#36
#36
mr.checkerboards said:
DH was needed in both leagues.
The shift being banned is dumb. MLB players are supposed to be the best in the world, I know its not as simple as just hit it the other way, but if theyre the best available in the sport they need to learn how to make adjustments.
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The DH was not needed in both leagues. The worst rule in all of sports should have stayed the f away from the NL.
 
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#38
#38
As far as the shift goes…live and die with the scouting report if you so desire, 50-70% of the time you MIGHT be right. Personally, my job as a hitter is to make you pay!
 
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#40
#40
It takes hard work but I’m a firm believer most good hitters SHOULD be able to hit it to all fields. A few years back at spring training in Florida I watched from behind the plate as Albert Pujols hit for what seemed like an hour…. and the as the BP pitcher released the ball the hitting coach would shout where he wanted AP to hit the ball. It was amazing to see him do that over and over again. Of course we’re taking about one of the best hitters to ever play the game.
 
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