[Alberta's Child]

If I was still a serious baseball fan I'd find this whole discussion preposterous. Outlawing the shift will do nothing but encourage the continued development of lazy hitters.

If MLB wants to increase scoring, then maybe they should eliminate half the players on the field. Or maybe they can make everyone play with 50-pound weights chained to their ankles. WTF?

[a little elbow grease]

This great game back in 1955 that I listened to on a little portable radio …… took about the same time as a 9 inning game now.

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http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/smizik-on-sports/2014/07/19/Bob-Smizik-The-day-The-Deacon-went-18/stories/201407190127

Today marks the 59th anniversary of one of the greatest individual feats in the more than 100-year history of Pirates baseball. If it were not for 12 perfect innings pitched by Harvey Haddix in 1959, it could well be the greatest pitching performance in team history, although it is little remembered.

On July 19, 1955, Vernon Law was the starting pitcher in the Pirates’ 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Braves. Law, nicknamed The Deacon, was not the winning pitcher and didn’t even get a complete game on that Tuesday night at Forbes Field. But the absence of those barometers of success does not diminish his stunning accomplishment.

In this era of pitch counts, side sessions and all-around babying of pitchers, what Law did in 1955 is breathtaking in its magnitude.

The game went 19 innings. Law started and pitched the first 18 innings before being lifted for a pinch-hitter.

In those 18 innings, he allowed nine hits, two runs -- only one of which was earned -- two walks and 12 strikeouts.

ElRoy Face, the great reliever who was a teammate of Law’s, recalled the performance with awe. “He threw over 200 pitches,” he said.

It’s not like Law was well-rested going in to his 18-inning stint. In his three previous starts, July 6, 10 and 15, he had pitched nine, nine and eight innings.

[a fool in paradise]

Whatever will be done to increase the scores of soccer-futbol games??? < /snark >

#ThisAintBasketyball

[a little elbow grease]

"Outlawing the shift will do nothing but encourage the continued development of lazy hitters."

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So true. When I played baseball at a pretty high level, I was humorously known to have "warning track power" (it means you don't hit many homeruns).

Anyhow I loaded up on doubles and triples, and singles, and for years, WITHOUT the homeruns, led my team in total bases.

Hit 'em where they ain't.

;-)

[a little elbow grease]

If MLB wants to increase scoring, then maybe they should eliminate half the players on the field. Or maybe they can make everyone play with 50-pound weights chained to their ankles. WTF?

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Or........ maybe they should force the fielders to use some of the old equipment/gloves/mitts. That would increase the scoring.

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[Getready]

Just count each run for 2 points. Bases empty homerun is worth 2 runs. Grand slam is 8 runs....ez

[Getready]

Just count each run for 2 points. Bases empty homerun is worth 2 runs. Grand slam is 8 runs....ez