Execs Ponder New 9th Inning Rules

[A.E]

Rich Eisen said on his radio show that MLB execs have considered a major change that would allow managers to bat any 3 players they wish in the 9th inning.

According to Eisen, the proposed rule would only apply to the ninth inning, and managers would be able to designate any three hitters to start the inning.

"Best argument is that no other sport has the best players sitting on the bench in the final minutes of a game. Imagine [Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James] or [New England Patriots quarterback] Tom Brady or [Pittsburgh Penguins forward] Sidney Crosby or [Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo] watching on the sideline."

It would be a pretty dramatic change but Im intrigued. Thoughts?

 

[bosoxlover12]

thats so dumb

 

[Pugz]

that does not need to happen

 

[JZsportswhiz]

That is incredibly dumb

If this was the done at say the start of the 13th inning I would be open to the idea, but to do this in the midst of a regular 9 inning game is absolute madness.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Turrible

 

[Giantmetfan07]

This would kill the game

 

[PWNdroia]

I don't think it would make a huge difference to be honest.

 

[brett05]

thats so dumb

QFT

 

[Giantmetfan07]

I dont even buy this. If it was from an MLB guy like Rosenthal I might believe it. But Rich Eisen?

And how would this work? Can you bat a guy that already was taken out? do they swap with 3 players in the lineup, sorta like in a double switch?

 

[bosoxlover12]

I dont even buy this. If it was from an MLB guy like Rosenthal I might believe it. But Rich Eisen?

And how would this work? Can you bat a guy that already was taken out? do they swap with 3 players in the lineup, sorta like in a double switch?

I would imagine it was like a double switch within the lineup, but its just so stupidly unfair
 
like you could be up 7-4 against the Yankees, entering the 8th inning, and have to face Judge-Stanton-Sanchez in back-to-back innings. how is that fair at all?

 

[catman]

This is one thing I like about baseball, as opposed to the other sports.  You live with the players that you have on the field, in the batting order they are in.  No changes without removing a player.  

 

[Mexi]

I would imagine it was like a double switch within the lineup, but its just so stupidly unfair
 
like you could be up 7-4 against the Yankees, entering the 8th inning, and have to face Judge-Stanton-Sanchez in back-to-back innings. how is that fair at all?

seager-turner-belli
Lets fucking go

 

[Pugz]

This is one thing I like about baseball, as opposed to the other sports.  You live with the players that you have on the field, in the batting order they are in.  No changes without removing a player.  

exactly. baseball is way different from the other sports based on that alone. you cant change it. it changes the whole game imo

 

[PWNdroia]

It would really mess with closers too.  Managers would be making pitching changes based on the players, not on their 9th inning guy.

 

[A.E]

Would probably never happen for the 9th inning but I'd be all for in the 10th. I saw a few games that went deep in extras last season and not only does it wear out the players but it potentially fucks up scheduling. 
 
If allowing managers to bat any three players in extras innings stands to end the game sooner.

 

[bosoxlover12]

If that rule is seriously being considered, a far better alternative imo goes back to little league roots. 
 
you can designate one player to return for the game after being taken out. so say Gary Sanchez hits a single, and then Ellsbury comes in to pinch run. After that half inning, Romine comes in to play defense, but Sanchez is eligible to pinch hit still later in that game.
 
idk, i feel like that'd be a better alternative than having three double switches

 

[A.E]

If that rule is seriously being considered, a far better alternative imo goes back to little league roots. 
 
you can designate one player to return for the game after being taken out. so say Gary Sanchez hits a single, and then Ellsbury comes in to pinch run. After that half inning, Romine comes in to play defense, but Sanchez is eligible to pinch hit still later in that game.
 
idk, i feel like that'd be a better alternative than having three double switches

 
We're still speculating but I don't see the intent of this proposed rule change to have anything to do with defensive alignment.  The way I'm reading it, Managers would go to the umpire with their first three batters to begin an inning.  After those three batters, team falls back into where the lineup left off.  
 
Bigger question is what happens if one of your designated three gets on base, its time to fall back into the regular batting order, and that player on base naturally comes up to bat?  Would manager be able to pinch run for him and have him bat in his spot?  Would they be forced to pinch hit for him?

 

[The Guid]

I thought it to re-order the lineup? Like say you send 3,4,5 up again. Next batter is 6 and so on. Seems like that would avoid the sort of confusion you guys are discussing.
 
The other way just seems dumb and counter-intuitive. Then again, what do I know?

 

[A.E]

I thought it to re-order the lineup? Like say you send 3,4,5 up again. Next batter is 6 and so on. Seems like that would avoid the sort of confusion you guys are discussing.
 
The other way just seems dumb and counter-intuitive. Then again, what do I know?

Could be that way. Again, I read it as any 3 batters in any order and then back to wherever natural lineup left off. I’m just thinking about the chess match of Ibanez-type power bat coming off bench when opponent sends out the lefty in the 9th.