I heard a stray reference on a telecast last week. I didn’t catch all of it. I’m with you. There is no reason to prohibit the “shift.” If the offensive side can’t take advantage by stealing third, or bunting, or being a spray hitter, they don’t deserve to succeed. Maybe next they should limit the speed the pitcher can throw the ball? Or maybe the amount of movement on a curve ball? Or even start every batter with a 3 ball count.
I once saw a MLB team deploy a rather unusual strategy. The bases were loaded with no outs in the bottom of the ninth and the score tied. The team in the field placed 5 players in the infield to cut down a runner at the plate. Any ground ball getting through the infield would have been a walk off. Any fly ball to moderate/deep outfield would be a walkoff. So, the defense deployed 5 players in the infield to protect the lines, and enhance the probability of a groundball resulting in a double play. Over the years, I’ve thought about that many times.
In that particular instance the batter grounded into a 7-2-3 double play with the left fielder playing at the gap between 5 and 6. The SS was in front of second base. The next batter, when the defense resumed a “normal” placement, filed out to deep left center field.
You always see something new at every game.
Gwjack
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see post # 4
Thank you for that great and inspiring story! You have thought about it over the years and now the rest of us can think about it as well.
In the event, one would imagine the crowd went wild with excitement, indeed, with an appreciation of playing the game to the max. Americans love to witness innovation, pushing the envelope, not submitting to a negative status quo and admire achieving out-of-the box positive results.
Our national history clearly demonstrates we are competitors who can get things done, and many elsewhere in the world are envious if not outright jealous of our American spirit.