This afternoon I was watching a sensational game between the Dominican Republic and Colombia in the World Baseball Classic. Colombia appeared to have upset the D.R. by scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 9th, but the home plate umpire called the runner out. (Unfortunately, there is no instant replay in the WBC save for reviewing home run calls).
So we went to extra innings and were treated to this spectacle. From the 11th inning forward, there are runners placed on first and second to start the inning. Obviously the intent to is shorten the length of the game and to conserve pitching. But why? The runner should earn his place on base. Pitchers and defensive players shouldn't be punished for being effective in preventing runs from being scored.
Predictably, with the benefit of runners on first and second with no out, the Dominicans had a seven run rally in the top of the 11th and beat Colombia 10-3 turning what would have been a classic game into a blowout. What made it worse is that commentators John Smoltz and Matt Vasgersian love the idea saying it makes thing more like other sports like hockey, soccer and college football. Well, if I wanted to watch those sports then I'd watch those sports. In an vain effort to save time such measures destroy what makes baseball unique.
Evidently MLB is planning to test out this rule in the Rookie Leagues.
God help us.
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