Lost in the conversation about robot umpires being tested in the Atlantic League (minor league baseball), are some other changes. In particular, they are testing out a new rule where a batter can steal 1B (yes you read that correctly) on any pitched ball not caught on the fly cleanly. For the first time in professional baseball (supposedly - I wouldn't doubt if a similar rule existed in the early years of baseball). Of all the proposed rule changes, I think this is, by far, the worst and hope it never even gets considered in MLB.
Steal 1B - (
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Wild pitches and passed balls are not considered errors, so it would be inconsistent to score them as errors in this situation.
That said, fielders choice seems wrong. I’m almost positive a runner advancing on a dropped third strike is not scored a FC. it’s just scored as a K-WP or K-PB.
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The article says it goes on the record as a fielder's choice. Why not just an error on the C or P, depending on whether it's a wild pitch or passed ball. I don't see how the fielder made a choice there.
Wild pitches and passed balls are not considered errors, so it would be inconsistent to score them as errors in this situation.
That said, fielders choice seems wrong. I’m almost positive a runner advancing on a dropped third strike is not scored a FC. it’s just scored as a K-WP or K-PB.
Correct but if a WP or PB leads to a runner getting on base then it should be made an error to adjust to the new rule.
Either way, this is just dumb.
Correct but if a WP or PB leads to a runner getting on base then it should be made an error to adjust to the new rule.
Either way, this is just dumb.
When a batter reaches first on a dropped third strike now irs not scored an error. Why should the scoring change if the ability to take first is extended to all counts?
Yes, you read that right. On Saturday, an Atlantic League batter stole first base, marking the first time the feat has ever been accomplished."
But it wasn't a stolen base, it was a fielders' choice. If it had been a stolen base, it would have been scored as a stolen base.
Hard to tell what's more stupid - the rule or the coverage of it.
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Correct but if a WP or PB leads to a runner getting on base then it should be made an error to adjust to the new rule.
Either way, this is just dumb.
When a batter reaches first on a dropped third strike now irs not scored an error. Why should the scoring change if the ability to take first is extended to all counts?
Because it was said it was treated as a SB but I guess you are right because a typical SB is just treated as a SB. I guess I am just using more common sense than sticking to the rules. If a runner takes first and the only way to do that is by a fuckup then that to me is an error. But according to the rules it isnt.
In other words, what constitutes an attempt? 3 steps out of the box? 4?
In other words, what constitutes an attempt? 3 steps out of the box? 4?
I don’t know, but I would guess they use a boundary. Exiting the 13’ circle around the batters box would seem logical.
In other words, what constitutes an attempt? 3 steps out of the box? 4?
If he starts to run, he's a runner. It's umpire's judgement, but it sounds like even one step towards first would put the runner at risk once he's fully out of the batter's box.
become a runner. The batter shall be deemed to have chosen to become a
runner under this rule if (i) both of the batter’s feet leave the batter’s box,
and (ii) the batter, in the umpire’s judgment, demonstrates or otherwise
creates an impression of his intent to advance to first base. If first base is
occupied when the batter chooses to become a runner this creates a force
play.
lonk - ( New Window )
This is unclear to me. A force at first? A force at second? Both? If no runner is at first when the batter chooses to run, is it a force at first (as with a dropped third strike) or does he have to be tagged (as with a stolen base attempt)?
It would be cool to see in playoff situations for strategy
This is unclear to me. A force at first? A force at second? Both? If no runner is at first when the batter chooses to run, is it a force at first (as with a dropped third strike) or does he have to be tagged (as with a stolen base attempt)?
Once the batter runs he has no where to go back to, so it’s a force play and you just need to throw to first, same as a dropped third strike now,
Based on the statement above, if there’s a runner on first, he’s forced to run to second. Thus you could get a double play out of it. Of course, if you were to tag the batter out first, then the runner occupying first is no longer forced and could safely return/stay on first.
It would be cool to see in playoff situations for strategy
It would neither move the game faster nor be used strategically.
It would actually extend the game if more players got to base and you can't really plan strategically for such a thing except to have pitchers not throw sliders and sharp-breaking pitches with a lead and nobody on base.
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Maybe it moves the game faster?
It would be cool to see in playoff situations for strategy
It would neither move the game faster nor be used strategically.
It would actually extend the game if more players got to base and you can't really plan strategically for such a thing except to have pitchers not throw sliders and sharp-breaking pitches with a lead and nobody on base.
I think it's a rediculous idea and am totally against it but I could see it possibly used strategically.
Let's say there was a batter you in no way wanted to pitch to. Instead of pitching around him or even intentionally walking him, you throw a few in the dirt in the hopes he runs to first. Maybe you get lucky and throw him out but worst case scenario he ends up on 1st where he would've anyway. At least you took a shot and gave yourself a chance to get him out without actually pitching to him.
In the alternative, you could just deploy one guy and release him at the pitcher and his goal is to sack the pitcher before he releases the pitch.
Those would rule changes that would truly improve the game.
My only issue right now is that if the batter decides on the first pitch to steal first, his output is credited as 0-1. It hurts his batting average and OBP which shouldn't be the case. But that's minor.