Post by playmaker on Jul 29, 2011 17:46:46 GMT -5
So basically this rant has developed after talking about how baseball strike zones should be expanded (actually returned to what they were originally meant to be) which would force batters to swing more, add excitement/action to the game and additionally speed games up and make the game more appealing to the new generation of short attention spanners.
Now let's look at softball...
Ever since I started, I have pretty much thought that the strike zones are way too small. Now associations have 6'-10' foot zones and other ones have a 4 ball and 3 strike count etc etc.
Point is, its basically ridiculous that pitchers should have to absolutely throw a meat ball in a 2'-3' window so that grown men with shaved bats can hit a ball that is pitched UNDERHAND.
The appeal to the sport is the fast games and non stop action which results in a lot of offense and some great defense which is required to compete.
My personal preference would be a 2-2 count from the start. You can have a foul (which expands the field a little bit) but any swinging or looking strike is a K. 6-14 arc, but strictly enforced (yes I know that is totally unrealistic) and a mat that is a little deeper than a conventional mat and also adds 2" to the corner of the plate, also anything that hits the plate is a strike.
In summary, it would make for a much more fun game, and would eliminate teams trying to play by frickin moneyball rules and increase their OBP when they are already swinging smoking hot sticks to start.
I realize this wont go anywhere and will just lead to disagreement and arguing but that is fine. Felt like a good time to let some opinion fly since I am in the middle of Timbuktu Iowa and haven't played more than 3 games of ball since May.
Have a nice day ;D
Now let's look at softball...
Ever since I started, I have pretty much thought that the strike zones are way too small. Now associations have 6'-10' foot zones and other ones have a 4 ball and 3 strike count etc etc.
Point is, its basically ridiculous that pitchers should have to absolutely throw a meat ball in a 2'-3' window so that grown men with shaved bats can hit a ball that is pitched UNDERHAND.
The appeal to the sport is the fast games and non stop action which results in a lot of offense and some great defense which is required to compete.
My personal preference would be a 2-2 count from the start. You can have a foul (which expands the field a little bit) but any swinging or looking strike is a K. 6-14 arc, but strictly enforced (yes I know that is totally unrealistic) and a mat that is a little deeper than a conventional mat and also adds 2" to the corner of the plate, also anything that hits the plate is a strike.
In summary, it would make for a much more fun game, and would eliminate teams trying to play by frickin moneyball rules and increase their OBP when they are already swinging smoking hot sticks to start.
I realize this wont go anywhere and will just lead to disagreement and arguing but that is fine. Felt like a good time to let some opinion fly since I am in the middle of Timbuktu Iowa and haven't played more than 3 games of ball since May.
Have a nice day ;D