Baseball Rules that Need Changed 

Infield Fly Rule

Batter Walks While Runner is Running on the Pitch

On a Called Ball Four

Removing the Ball from a Glove After a Catch

Intentional Walks

Ball/Strike Calls

Third Strike Missed by the Catcher

Dusting off a Batter

Hitting a Batter's Hand

ALL STAR GAME

And the Obvious

Infield Fly Rule

Why should the batter be called out just because they popped up? The burden of making the out should be on the defense.  What if the fielder loses the ball in the sun or trips and actually fails to catch the ball?

The rule should be changed so that the batter isn't out unless the ball is caught.  The runners on base should be awarded one base if the umpire makes the infield fly call and the ball is not caught.

Batter Walks While Runner is Running on the Pitch

A baserunner on first base running on a called ball four: The catcher is forced to throw because there is no way that an umpire is going to make a call quickly enough for the catcher to decide that he doesn't have to throw.  The present rule says that the ball is live if the catcher throws it.

On a Called Ball Four

THE BALL SHOULD BE DEAD IF IT IS THROWN TOWARD SECOND BASE.  A throw toward third would be a live ball.  That would happen if there is a runner on second and he is running, or if there is a runner on third and the catcher attempts to pick him off.  If the ball slips out of the catcher's hand while attempting the throw, it should be a judgement call of the umpire.

Removing the Ball from a Glove After a Catch

The "taking the ball out of your glove" rule before a catch is considered complete was instituted back when there was only one umpire for a game.  They basically had to remove the ball from their glove so he could see it.

The rule is really obsolete, but control of the ball is necessary.  Dropping the ball while transferring it to the other hand should still be ruled as a non-catch if the fielder is trying to make a play somewhere.

They often call a runner out at second when the fielder is transferring the ball to his throwing hand.  Why give the umpire another judgement call that could decide a game? If the fielder loses his grip on the ball in his haste to make a play, it should be ruled a non-catch.

Intentional Walks

An intentional walk is a valuable tool in certain situations, but I think there ought to be a slight price to pay for doing so.  What fan wants to see their favorite player walked in a crucial situation? It really is a mood killer.

To keep from getting involved with judgement calls over whether a walk is intentional or not, the rule could be:

Walking a batter without getting a strike on them would automatically award the next batter with a 1-0 count when they come to bat.

To keep them from hitting a batter instead of walking them, award the next batter an 0-2 count following a hit batter.

Hitting a Batter's Hand

A batter's hands should be considered a part of the bat.  Being hit on the hand is not the pitcher's fault.  It is simply a stupid batter with the reflexes of snail.

Throwing close to a batter

I like the old rules where a pitcher could throw at the batter's chin and make them hit the dirt.  That was back when most batters were athletic enough to get out of the way.  Back before they wore helmets to protect the really slow ones.  It kept the batters honest and the cry-babies from whining.  They were expected to get back up like a man, dust themselves off, and try to drive the ball down the pitcher's throat.

I hate seeing an umpire having another way to fix a game with a "judgement call." And I hate to see a game supposedly played by adults reduced to a sissified game for wimps.

Oh well . . . at least they have funny guys running around in chicken suits to amuse the children.

Ball/Strike Calls

They should have a camera view straight down on the plate and have it on the screen for every pitch so the fans can see it.  The attention it would cause would make the umpires call the pitches better.

Third Strike Missed by the Catcher

A batter should be able to run to first on a dropped third strike even if first base is occupied.  Any runner that is running with the pitch is a live runner and can be thrown out.  If the runner on first hadn't run with the pitch, he can stand out of the way to allow the play at the base.  If the batter reaches first safely, the man on first is awarded second base automatically.  Any other base runner is awarded the next base if necessary.

27 Oct 2006
This just happened in the World Series. Encarnarcion was called out just because a runner was on first when the catcher missed the third strike. The runner on first had gone to second. There is absolutely no reason to call the batter out. The rules-makers simply didn't give much thought to the issue, and the followers never think about anything. D'oh.

ALL STAR GAME

In an All Star game that goes into extra innings, players that have been out of the game for three innings should be eligible to return to the game.  This would allow all players to get into the game and not make a farce out of an extra inning game.

Since the travesty of having the All Star game determine the home field for the World Series, this change would even make more sense.

The Designated Hitter

I hate to see the older stars retire because they can't quite cut it in the field, but when it's time, it's time.

A DL is supposed to generate more excitement, particularly for the casual fan and the kids that don't quite understand the game, yet.

It really works.  At least, until one learns better.

Maybe we should give the designated hitter a box seat behind the dugout and make the pitcher bat for him.  He could still be there and sign autographs for the kids, and the players could play real base ball.

Just a thought . . .

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