MLB Starting Extra Innings With a Runner

[Billy Z]

The Detroit Tigers pulled one out in the 10th inning at home against the New York Yankees on a walk-off two-run Homer last night. An interesting new rule has been adopted allowing the batter who made the last out in the ninth to be placed at second base starting the 10th inning. And this sequence continues until the game is over. It's a bit strange seeing a player being placed on second base to start a team's offensive half of the inning, but it does have its benefits. I am wondering how you baseball enthusiasts like this or do not like this?

[boogielicious]

I like it. Anything to get the game to speed up will help. It wish they would in force other rules to speed things up or baseball will fade away. 

[ChetlovesMer]

15 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

I like it. Anything to get the game to speed up will help. It wish they would in force other rules to speed things up or baseball will fade away. 

I'm with you, brother. 

Fun stat: If you remove the rain delay in 2016 and the extra innings game in 1907.

Cubs win The World Series in 1907, average time per game is 1:48.

Next time the Cubs win The World Series in 2016, average time per game is 3:40. 

The average game length has more than doubled without a significant rule change. Almost 2 hours of BS has been added to the game.

Yes, I get that in 2016 games were televised and they weren't in 1907. But even as late as the 1980's, World Series games were averaging just over 2:30 per game. Today's World Series games are getting close to 4 hours..... 

Considering start times, where I live many World Series Games aren't ending until after 1AM.... Brutal. 

[boogielicious]

Just now, ChetlovesMer said:

I'm with you, brother. 

Fun stat: If you remove the rain delay in 2016 and the extra innings game in 1907.

Cubs win The World Series in 1907, average time per game is 1:48.

Next time the Cubs win The World Series in 2016, average time per game is 3:40. 

The average game length has more than doubled without a significant rule change. Almost 2 hours of BS has been added to the game.

Yes, I get that in 2016 games were televised and they weren't in 1907. But even as late as the 1980's, World Series games were averaging just over 2:30 per game. Today's World Series games are getting close to 4 hours..... 

Considering start times, where I live many World Series Games aren't ending until after 1AM.... Brutal. 

A four hour Red Sox/Yankees game is not uncommon. No wonder there were fights in the stands.

[billchao]

Poll added.

I don't care for it, but I don't really feel strongly against it, either. Baseball is slow and becoming boring and it has little to do with extra innings.

[David in FL]

 

4 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I wish they would in force other rules to speed things up or baseball will fade away. 

This.

Starting a runner on second base in extra innings isn’t going to significantly shorten the average game time anymore than allowing the use of rangefinders is likely to speed up the overall pace on tour.  It’s little more than lip service until the real underlying causes/issues are addressed.