Changes in MLB

[meangreen10]

I just don't like that a lot of Astro divisional games will start at 9. I do like that we get the use of a DH now and being up here at UNT I have more chances to see them when they come to Arlington.

[meangreen10]

I bet you love the BCS.

I love the BCS

[oldguystudent]

When will UNT have a baseball team?

Not soon enough!

With a DH of course.

No such thing as the pitcher hitting in college ball, except that a lot of teams have two-way players. That is to say that since they're young and not 100% decided on which way they want to go, there are quite a few players that play outfield 3 games a week, and pitch for the mid-week game. Sometimes they work out as pitchers and become weekend starters. Other times, they stick to the outfield.

Regardless, since the NCAA put restrictions on the bats, the free swinging days of 80s SEC Gorilla Ball are over, and you see a LOT of bunting the runner on first over to second. It's a much, much different game than MLB. You'll also see a lot of 3-2 Friday night games with 23-12 Sunday games. This is indicative of the lack of pitching depth in all but the most elite teams.

[Mean Green Scrappy]

I just don't like that a lot of Astro divisional games will start at 9. I do like that we get the use of a DH now and being up here at UNT I have more chances to see them when they come to Arlington.

Welcome to a Rangers fan world. You'll get use to it and actually find it enjoyable laying in bed in your PJs watching the games right before falling asleep. Or as one ESPN writer wrote you'll get use to the hang overs you have every night from being at the bar til after midnight and then going to work at 9:00 AM. Either way, I wouldn't have any other way. Sure beats playing the east coast and having the games start at 6:00.

Edited November 17, 2011 by Mean Green Scrappy

[Mean Green Scrappy]

Not soon enough!

No such thing as the pitcher hitting in college ball, except that a lot of teams have two-way players. That is to say that since they're young and not 100% decided on which way they want to go, there are quite a few players that play outfield 3 games a week, and pitch for the mid-week game. Sometimes they work out as pitchers and become weekend starters. Other times, they stick to the outfield.

Regardless, since the NCAA put restrictions on the bats, the free swinging days of 80s SEC Gorilla Ball are over, and you see a LOT of bunting the runner on first over to second. It's a much, much different game than MLB. You'll also see a lot of 3-2 Friday night games with 23-12 Sunday games. This is indicative of the lack of pitching depth in all but the most elite teams.

Good info, thanks. I honestly don't follow ncaa baseball very closely but if we ever get our program up and running I would. I am a huge baseball fan but MLB is where it really is at. Back to my earlier post about doing away with single A ball for expansion purposes, I really really wish they would do away with single A and double A ball to put more importance on college baseball. Kinda like football... but that just leads to a whole other mess.

[Army of Dad]

So making the pitcher hit makes the game harder.

But doing this would make scoring a 3 in basketball much easier.

By this reasoning, only outfielders should bat for themselves. Catchers and infielders, as a general rule, don't hit as well. Let's have a 9-man defense and a completely different 9-man offense. That still allows for a reasonable pitching staff and a couple substitutes.

And that's fine. I really enjoy watching the manager sweat in a close game when the pitcher is due up.

You would've really liked college baseball in the 80s. Skip Bergman down at LSU figured it out. He had a pitching background, but he realized that to win, he needed to move the fences at Alex Box Stadium in to about 91 feet from home plate. Then he recruited all his players from the football team and put the unrestricted aluminum bats of the day in their hands. They scored 30 runs a game, and the five-time champion Gorilla Ball was born.

I like baseball specifically because every at-bat, every out is a chess game. Managers that don't understand probabilities get exploited by managers that do. I give you one Billy Beane (albeit in the GM role) of the late 90s exploiting this to compete with the much richer Yankees and Red Sox. Both big money teams eventually learned to follow suit.

Of interest, Robin Ventura went back and got an advanced degree of some sort or another. His thesis (dissertation?) was on probabilities for just about every batting situation imaginable. They ran his probabilities live for every at-bat in the 2007 College World Series. For number nerds, it was the most exciting sports broadcast ever.

So all those first and third baseman don't count as infielders? Even middle infielders are better hitter nowadays. Those positions still lag behind corner outfielders and corner infielders, but are improved over what was once normal.

[Coffee and TV]

Couldn't really care about this one way or the other, but what really bothers me is the way they did it. They're holding up approval of the sale of the team by demanding that the Astros change leagues. That's kinda shitty IMO. If the new owner said no thanks then that could kill some of the value and Drayton McLane's asking price would have to go down.

[Quoner]

So making the pitcher hit makes the game harder.

Making the goalie's mother play LW on the 4th line on every time would make the game harder, but it wouldn't be good for hockey.

But doing this would make scoring a 3 in basketball much easier.

I think you need to check the measurements of a basketball court and reconsider here.

By this reasoning, only outfielders should bat for themselves. Catchers and infielders, as a general rule, don't hit as well. Let's have a 9-man defense and a completely different 9-man offense. That still allows for a reasonable pitching staff and a couple substitutes.

No, I don't want to see an all-star team hit dingers for 10 hours. No one's asking for anyone else to be substituted, they just want to see 9 people who can all hit.

And that's fine. I really enjoy watching the manager sweat in a close game when the pitcher is due up.

I admit it's dramatic, but there is nothing less dramatic about a good reliever trying to get out a good hitter already in the game. Pinch hitting can happen anyway ... this just means your last few innings in a close game take even longer.

You would've really liked college baseball in the 80s. Skip Bergman down at LSU figured it out. He had a pitching background, but he realized that to win, he needed to move the fences at Alex Box Stadium in to about 91 feet from home plate. Then he recruited all his players from the football team and put the unrestricted aluminum bats of the day in their hands. They scored 30 runs a game, and the five-time champion Gorilla Ball was born.

Nope. Didn't like it at all. The old aluminum bat is the other side of my argument and I really wish college baseball just used wood like everyone else.

I like baseball specifically because every at-bat, every out is a chess game. Managers that don't understand probabilities get exploited by managers that do. I give you one Billy Beane (albeit in the GM role) of the late 90s exploiting this to compete with the much richer Yankees and Red Sox. Both big money teams eventually learned to follow suit.

Of interest, Robin Ventura went back and got an advanced degree of some sort or another. His thesis (dissertation?) was on probabilities for just about every batting situation imaginable. They ran his probabilities live for every at-bat in the 2007 College World Series. For number nerds, it was the most exciting sports broadcast ever.

I love baseball for the same reason and have not been shy about expressing my love for it here. I know it is personal preference, bu having the pitcher hit at this point just seems outdated to me.

[Green Mean]

Ah yes...baseball is a talkin sport indeed.

[Quoner]

Couldn't really care about this one way or the other, but what really bothers me is the way they did it. They're holding up approval of the sale of the team by demanding that the Astros change leagues. That's kinda shitty IMO. If the new owner said no thanks then that could kill some of the value and Drayton McLane's asking price would have to go down.

Agree -- lost in my other ranting is what a screw job this sale was for everyone involved.

Also....Crane.

Edited November 18, 2011 by Quoner

[oldguystudent]

The old aluminum bat is the other side of my argument and I really wish college baseball just used wood like everyone else.

The BBCOR bats are supposed to perform exactly the same as wood. Whether that's true or not, homeruns came waaay down last season when the old rolled bats went away and the BBCOR bats came to town. On the bright side, it's forcing college players to learn to swing the bat rather than just stick it in front of them and watch the ball bounce off it for 500 feet. Has been a problem with college players making the jump to the pros in years past.

[golfingomez]

aside from the change of league... DH having to be implemented... this move sucks on the competition level... Houston is going to have problem selling tickets to fans who have seen Division Rivals go from the Cubs, Cards, Reds and Pirates to the Angels, Athletics, Mariners and Rangers... teams that Astros fans have never cared about.. now hopefully some sort of rivalry develops, but that will take 6 years minimum... considering how my Astros have already conceded the 2012 & 2013 seasons to rebuilding...

Bud Selig has ruined my MLB experience for the 134134314th time

[Rudy]

I'm mixed about this. I'd like to see the Rangers and Astors play more, however, I liked one being in the AL and one in the NL. It is also going to suck because now the closest city one of my other favorite teams, the Reds, come is St Louis.

[Cr1028]

Bud Selig is a communist. The Astros has been a National League team for almost 50 years and he just flips them because it is convenient. That is garbage.

[jwmann2]

As a (dis)Astros fan, I've been keeping an eye on this story for a couple months.

Overall, I not happy with the move. However, I do like the idea of the Astros and Rangers being in the same division. Might lead to an actual rivalry once both teams are good and competing for a division title.

Thoughts?

A rivalry will brew instantly which is what the MLB needs, another rivalry.

As a Cincinnati Reds fan, I am glad to see the Astros go. They are out WEST, they are not a central team. Hopefully one less team to compete with will help the reds make the playoffs with more frequency.

[Green Mean]

A rivalry will brew instantly which is what the MLB needs, another rivalry.

As a Cincinnati Reds fan, I am glad to see the Astros go. They are out WEST, they are not a central team. Hopefully one less team to compete with will help the reds make the playoffs with more frequency.

Umm sorry neither the Astros nor the Rangers are out "WEST". Frankly it is pretty ridiculous that they are in a Western division. As for the instant rivalry brewing...maybe...I mean right now the Astros are barely a AAA team so it will take a really long time before it has a chance to become rivalry with substance. What the MLB did to Jim Crane before buying the team was actually pretty sorry and gutless. Of all the teams they wanted to move to the AL West it shouldn't have been the Astros The Astros aren't the reason the Reds have constantly sucked and haven't made the playoffs.

[forevereagle]

A rivalry will brew instantly which is what the MLB needs, another rivalry.

As a Cincinnati Reds fan, I am glad to see the Astros go. They are out WEST, they are not a central team. Hopefully one less team to compete with will help the reds make the playoffs with more frequency.

Geography major?