# If I was king of baseball **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 8, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110 "2017-08-08T17:31:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/121 "2017-08-12T12:08:28Z")
1. No DH. This rule —and wooden bats — also mandated in the minor leagues. 2. No interleague play during the regular season. The schedule was ok he equalized. Everyone plays the same teams the same number of times. 3. No “theme music” for individual players 4. Pitch clock 5. Batter can’t leave batter’s box. Must be prepared to take a pitch from the moment the at bat starts until it’s over. 6. One home uniform and one away uniform for each team. No mixing and matching. Jersey and pants must be the same color 7. SOCKS MUST BE VISIBLE!!! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/122 "2017-08-12T12:09:56Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > 1. SOCKS MUST BE VISIBLE!!! My God, you’re a madman! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/123 "2017-08-12T12:16:45Z")
Oh, and teams must be named for cities, not for states or regions. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/124 "2017-08-12T12:23:43Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Oh, and teams must be named for cities, not for states or regions. Which reminds me, no more corporate stadium names. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/125 "2017-08-12T14:15:27Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > My God, you’re a madman! > > 😃 I’m going craaazy!!! > [@running\_coach](#): > > Which reminds me, no more corporate stadium names. Totally agree. Or at least require each stadium to have a non-sponsored, permanent alternative name. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/126 "2017-08-12T14:21:03Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I think it goes deep into the American psychic. Not making the pitcher take his plate appearances sounds like he’s getting a “free ride.” He’s getting the benefit of playing in the MLB (and getting a nice salary to boot) without playing the whole game. He’s doing something both strenuous and precise 20 or 30 times an inning, while most of the rest of them just stand there staring. Where’s the free ride? Even relievers have to jog in now; they don’t get those free rides on 1970’s golf carts anymore. Speaking of which, bring them back. 🙂 No, DH-hatred is \*only \*a tribal ritual engaged in by the fans of the 15 remaining clubs in all of professional baseball that don’t use it. There’s no reasoning that stands up to even casual inspection. And it’s about damn time you all cut the whining. Another rule: No more batting gloves. You need to dry your hands, pick up a little dirt. If you must have gloves, find a pair that fit, dammit - no more tugging on them before every damn pitch. And no, you don’t get to tug on your cup instead. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/127 "2017-08-12T14:27:37Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > He’s doing something both strenuous and precise 20 or 30 times an inning, while most of the rest of them just stand there staring. Standing is still some effort. The other players may be called on to make an all out sprint and/or throw with little to no warmup. 100 pitch count going 6 innings is 16-17 pitches average per inning. ETA:The catcher still has to bat despite the constant squatting and standing. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/128 "2017-08-12T14:33:27Z")
I do note you’re not claiming they’re at all comparable. Good, 'cause they aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/129 "2017-08-12T14:35:29Z")
I object to the DH for the same reason that I object to platooning in football. It’s a game with X players. Those X players should play the entire game, offense and defense. If it means a weak spot in the lineup, then you have to live with it—your team is your team, you don’t get to make it better than it is by cheating on its weaknesses. It’s like in chess—you don’t swap out the player for someone else who’s better in a particular situation. I would also want to do something about restricting substitutions. Pitching substitutions especially are out of control these days. Maybe something like a player has to play X number of innings before he can be taken out. I’d get rid of pinch running entirely, except in cases of injury. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/130 "2017-08-12T14:40:44Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Or at least require each stadium to have a non-sponsored, permanent alternative name. You don’t need anybody’s permission. Call the ballparks what you like. Nobody paid you or me to recognize a name change. The White Sox play in Comiskey Park and the Blue Jays play in Skydome AFAIC, for instance. There’s nothing to induce anyone not contractually bound to do so to call them anything else. > [@Asuka](#): > > 1. During the Seventh-Inning-Stretch, the song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” will now be called “Take Me Out to the Balls Game” and the word Ball will be replaced by Balls in each verse. “God Bless America” will be given a well-deserved rest. It isn’t 9/11 anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/131 "2017-08-12T14:46:41Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > You don’t need anybody’s permission. Call the ballparks what you like. Nobody paid you or me to recognize a name change. > > The White Sox play in Comiskey Park and the Blue Jays play in Skydome AFAIC, for instance. There’s nothing to induce anyone not contractually bound to do so to call them anything else. It’s easy when it’s a stadium that had a non-sponsored name in the past. What about stadiums that never had that? I hate referring to the Reds’ stadium as the Great American Ballpark, but I can’t call it Riverfront Stadium, because that was a different structure. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/132 "2017-08-12T14:57:52Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > One problem with scheduling doubleheaders is the length of games these days. Back in the day when doubleheaders were common, a game might only last two hours, but now they average three hours. Six hours (plus the half hour between games) makes for a very long day, both for the players and the fans. Players have suggested it is actually harder on them to have a day/night doubleheader. Those games are usually scheduled about 6 hours apart. So by the time the first game is over, it’s basically time for them to start their pre-game routine for the night game. Not much of a break in between, making for an exceptionally long day for them. Day/night doubleheaders are about maximizing cash flow, in my view. I’m all for mandatory true doubleheaders being scheduled, particularly since I’ve never gotten to go to one in my life thus far. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/133 "2017-08-12T15:07:07Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It’s easy when it’s a stadium that had a non-sponsored name in the past. What about stadiums that never had that? I hate referring to the Reds’ stadium as the Great American Ballpark, but I can’t call it Riverfront Stadium, because that was a different structure. I’m sure a deserving someone from the area’s or team history can be found. As an example, the Pirates should be playing in Clemente Stadium/Park/Field. ETA:The Reds could play in WKRPark. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/134 "2017-08-12T15:54:01Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Oh, and teams must be named for cities, not for states or regions. And only one city in the name, and the team must physically play its home games within the city limits. Up yours, Arte Moreno! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/135 "2017-08-12T18:45:17Z")
1- No DH, of course 2- Back to the old fashioned intentional walks. 3- No special uniforms for holidays or whatever 4- Shorten the season by a week by each team playing at least seven scheduled one admission gets both games doubleheader throughout the season. 5- Expand by 2 teams, use 4 divisions of 8 teams each. Winners of each division go to LCS, no wild cards. 6- No interleague play and a more balanced schedule 7- Networks don’t get to do the PA on televised games. 8- No more extreme shifts. Imagine a line from home plate through second base continuing to the fence. 3B and SS must be positioned left of that line, 1B and 2B to the right. 9- Home team wears white, visiting team wears gray. One home uniform and one road uniform per team. Pants match jersey. 10- No super patriotic 7th (or any) inning break. No God Bless America. 11- No microphoned players or managers. 12- No replay. 13- One minute between innings from final out to first pitch of the next inning. 14- No politicians make first pitches, presidents don’t call locker room after WS. 15- Game 4 of WS to be during the day. 16- No home exclusivity on telecasts. If my favorite team is not my local market, I should still be able to watch every game. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/136 "2017-08-12T19:04:36Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > 1- > 8- No more extreme shifts. Imagine a line from home plate through second base continuing to the fence. 3B and SS must be positioned left of that line, 1B and 2B to the right. > > 12- No replay. Agree, the chorus line between 2nd and first looks ridiculous. There’s a bit of pause after an out while everyone gets back in position. That should be time for a fast review of a close play, if further views are needed(Home run above/below the line? ball trapped or caught?) only then signal the umps for a time out. I would get rid of the stupid “hold the ball on the runner while he tries to get back on his feet” routine. Once the play is over, the runner should be able to stand without being molested. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/137 "2017-08-12T19:38:29Z")
I _like_ some of the special uniforms. San Diego is a very military-heavy city. The Padres [alternate camo uniforms](https://mlblogsopeningday.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/openingnight6.jpg) fit right in. I also like the other teams’ alternates. For that matter, the whole “must wear gray or white” would have eliminated some of the most _visual_ [teams](https://whitecleatbeat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/101/files/2014/10/1973-Throwbacks.jpg) from history. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/138 "2017-08-12T19:46:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I _like_ some of the special uniforms. San Diego is a very military-heavy city. The Padres [alternate camo uniforms](https://mlblogsopeningday.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/openingnight6.jpg) fit right in. I also like the other teams’ alternates. **For that matter, the whole “must wear gray or white”** would have eliminated some of the most _visual_ [teams](https://whitecleatbeat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/101/files/2014/10/1973-Throwbacks.jpg) from history. Maybe amend that to a distinctive home and away uniform. I don’t follow baseball closely(I’ll watch what’s on but no favorite team or player) but the special uniforms don’t bother me much. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/139 "2017-08-12T20:44:07Z")
_1- No DH, of course 2- Back to the old fashioned intentional walks._ Yes and yes. _3- No special uniforms for holidays or whatever_ Already addressed _4- Shorten the season by a week by each team playing at least seven scheduled one admission gets both games doubleheader throughout the season._ Problematic. How about scheduled double-headers where the first game is between the two teams AAA squads? _5- Expand by 2 teams, use 4 divisions of 8 teams each. Winners of each division go to LCS, no wild cards._ OK _6- No interleague play and a more balanced schedule_ Already addressed. _7- Networks don’t get to do the PA on televised games. 8- No more extreme shifts. Imagine a line from home plate through second base continuing to the fence. 3B and SS must be positioned left of that line, 1B and 2B to the right._ Yes and yes. _9- Home team wears white, visiting team wears gray. One home uniform and one road uniform per team. Pants match jersey._ Already addressed. _10- No super patriotic 7th (or any) inning break. No God Bless America._ Hell yes. _11- No microphoned players or managers._ Meh. _12- No replay. 13- One minute between innings from final out to first pitch of the next inning._ No and no. Replay is valuable and one minute doesn’t cut it. Have to have commercial time. _14- No politicians make first pitches, presidents don’t call locker room after WS. 15- Game 4 of WS to be during the day. 16- No home exclusivity on telecasts. If my favorite team is not my local market, I should still be able to watch every game._ Yes and yes and YES. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110/140 "2017-08-12T21:55:26Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I _like_ some of the special uniforms. San Diego is a very military-heavy city. The Padres [alternate camo uniforms](https://mlblogsopeningday.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/openingnight6.jpg) fit right in. I also like the other teams’ alternates. For that matter, the whole “must wear gray or white” would have eliminated some of the most _visual_ [teams](https://whitecleatbeat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/101/files/2014/10/1973-Throwbacks.jpg) from history. God help us. I would very specifically ban anything remotely like the uniforms that the Oakland A’s introduced to baseball in the 70s. And if it looks like the White Sox would have worn it, burn it. If you want to watch softball teams, watch softball. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-was-king-of-baseball/793110.md?page=8)