MLB Rule Changes

MLB Rule Changes
Cody Goggin
12-17-2013  12:59 pm

OWENSVILLE, MO-Baseball has been a part of this country for years, but sometimes the game must change with our ever-changing society. The 2014 MLB season will likely see two major rule changes: Instant-replay and the elimination of home-plate collisions. Some people may be in favor of these things, but I have my own opinions.

            The one rule change that will for sure be in effect for next season is the expanded use of instant replay. For the first time ever managers will be able to “challenge” the calls the umpires make on the field and have them reviewed. Major League Baseball is switching to try to be more like football. I think this rule change is a poor decision. Sure, with cameras everywhere now there is more of an emphasis on umpire’s missed calls, but the way I see it is that it is just part of the game. Umpires are supposed to control the game and be able to do their jobs, but you cannot expect them to get every call right. People make mistakes sometimes, but doesn’t that define what baseball is? This rule will most likely also eliminate the epic fights between managers and umpires. Ejections will be lower because of this rule. Earl Weaver is probably rolling over in his grave and still yelling at Bill Haller.  In the game of baseball, umpires should have control of the game, not a camera crew.

            The other rule change is pending, but could likely be put into place next season. This rule change would be to eliminate home-plate collisions. This all started whenever Scott Cousins ran over MLB poster-boy Buster Posey on a clean play in which he was just going hard. Everybody freaked out about this play. I think collisions at the plate represent another thing that baseball is all about: playing hard. This new rule would literally discourage players from giving their all. People in this country are getting too soft and the addition of this rule would just be adding insult to our political injury. This rule is one of the worst things that has happened to baseball in the past decade and should forever be known as the “Buster Posey Rule.”

            I think that the game of baseball should be left how it is. There is nothing wrong with the way the game is played now. Too many people trying to be safe and always make sure that they are right are ruining the nation’s pastime. Baseball is about mistakes and going hard and that should never be changed.