One thing I’ve noticed is that during the broadcasts, the increased efficiency has diminished some of the great booth moments, the extra stories and history viewers can learn while there are some down moments. Some games are so quick that there’s only time for the play by play and a few extra notes, but stories are left half finished or rushed as they need to cut to commercial. Younger viewers may not mind, and social media will fill in those stories of great hitters vs pitchers (I love reading about Greg Maddux’s otherworldly stats), but we used to get that during the games themselves. I am not ranting against the much-needed progress, but it’s a change I’ve noticed lately.
I've been listening to games more often lately and doing that restores a familiarity in the patter and pace of baseball. Watching is not always better!
Listening to baseball still feels the same, no doubt. You can be doing other things and a great commentator on the radio can put you in the moment. It's the only sport I enjoy listening to because of the slower pace. It gives you a chance to picture the plays taking place unlike any other game I know.
As usual, you offer a thoughtful and eloquent perspective on the changes. Thank-you.
I too mostly like the these new rules. Pitchcom and the clock seem to be mostly working as intended. Relievers needing to face 3 batters negates the tedium of Larussa-Inspired micromanaging. The better balanced schedule and more interleague play foster fairness and variety. Extra-inning rules add immediate suspense. And while the universal DH has plusses and minuses, it can create some dramatic match-ups. I also think the manager challenge and tech have lessened arguing and ejections, things I’ve never cared for.
And while these seem like a lot of changes, a player or fan from the early 20th Century would still recognize the game they knew. Basic baseball survives.
I also like some of the more organic trends in the game, especially the increased influence of Latin and Asian styles that add multiple layers of interest. Also happy to see footspeed making a comeback. And watching batters adjust to crazy spin rates by going to the opposite field.
Trends I’m not so thrilled with:
Starting pitchers going 4-5 innings
Needing 25+ pitchers for the season
Back-lit, flashing ads and constant messaging
Being told to Make Noise!
Between inning music cranked to 11
Waiters and full meal service in the stands
7th inning loyalty test
Things I miss a bit as an old-timer:
Flannel uniforms with stirrup socks
Guys playing pepper before the game
On-deck batters on one knee with three bats ready
Screwballs
Pop-up slides as the standard
Great nicknames (Scooter, Peewee, Rooster, Cool Papa, Hawk, Choo Choo…)
Home plate umps with Pillow chest protectors
Dirt strip between the mound and home
Complete games
Pitcher tipping his hat to the crowd as he walks off
Thanks again for paying respect to the game’s many mysteries and traditions while remaining open and positive to inevitable change. Such is life.
I think in the end it's both. You point out many of the ways baseball is better and more fun in the modern world, and I agree. But the scale and pacing of that same modern world drags baseball into that world. Which I'll grit my teeth and learn to live with (for sake of the game), but couldn't we please get gambling out of the picture? That would be my #1 ask.
One thing I’ve noticed is that during the broadcasts, the increased efficiency has diminished some of the great booth moments, the extra stories and history viewers can learn while there are some down moments. Some games are so quick that there’s only time for the play by play and a few extra notes, but stories are left half finished or rushed as they need to cut to commercial. Younger viewers may not mind, and social media will fill in those stories of great hitters vs pitchers (I love reading about Greg Maddux’s otherworldly stats), but we used to get that during the games themselves. I am not ranting against the much-needed progress, but it’s a change I’ve noticed lately.
I've been listening to games more often lately and doing that restores a familiarity in the patter and pace of baseball. Watching is not always better!
Listening to baseball still feels the same, no doubt. You can be doing other things and a great commentator on the radio can put you in the moment. It's the only sport I enjoy listening to because of the slower pace. It gives you a chance to picture the plays taking place unlike any other game I know.
Great stuff. Totally agree. Good in the new, but miss a bit of the “hostage situation” too.
Stockholm Syndrome? Of sorts? 😯
I used to love the long afternoon at the ballpark, the excitement of getting there, wandering the stadium, soaking up the sun…
As usual, you offer a thoughtful and eloquent perspective on the changes. Thank-you.
I too mostly like the these new rules. Pitchcom and the clock seem to be mostly working as intended. Relievers needing to face 3 batters negates the tedium of Larussa-Inspired micromanaging. The better balanced schedule and more interleague play foster fairness and variety. Extra-inning rules add immediate suspense. And while the universal DH has plusses and minuses, it can create some dramatic match-ups. I also think the manager challenge and tech have lessened arguing and ejections, things I’ve never cared for.
And while these seem like a lot of changes, a player or fan from the early 20th Century would still recognize the game they knew. Basic baseball survives.
I also like some of the more organic trends in the game, especially the increased influence of Latin and Asian styles that add multiple layers of interest. Also happy to see footspeed making a comeback. And watching batters adjust to crazy spin rates by going to the opposite field.
Trends I’m not so thrilled with:
Starting pitchers going 4-5 innings
Needing 25+ pitchers for the season
Back-lit, flashing ads and constant messaging
Being told to Make Noise!
Between inning music cranked to 11
Waiters and full meal service in the stands
7th inning loyalty test
Things I miss a bit as an old-timer:
Flannel uniforms with stirrup socks
Guys playing pepper before the game
On-deck batters on one knee with three bats ready
Screwballs
Pop-up slides as the standard
Great nicknames (Scooter, Peewee, Rooster, Cool Papa, Hawk, Choo Choo…)
Home plate umps with Pillow chest protectors
Dirt strip between the mound and home
Complete games
Pitcher tipping his hat to the crowd as he walks off
Thanks again for paying respect to the game’s many mysteries and traditions while remaining open and positive to inevitable change. Such is life.
I think in the end it's both. You point out many of the ways baseball is better and more fun in the modern world, and I agree. But the scale and pacing of that same modern world drags baseball into that world. Which I'll grit my teeth and learn to live with (for sake of the game), but couldn't we please get gambling out of the picture? That would be my #1 ask.