February 29, 2008
Coaching Restrictions
In addition to wearing helmets, the majors are going to enforce the coaching box boundaries:
Starting this year, first- and third-base coaches must not cross the lines toward home plate or the field until batted balls pass them. Only then can they take up other spots to guide runners.
Third-base coaches routinely stand much closer to the plate than the lines permit, trying to get a better look at where outfielders are positioned.
Maybe they can enforce the batter's box while they're at it. Here's a rule I'd like to see: Any player who wipes out the back line of the batter's box is ejected from the game, and the grounds crew comes out between innings to redraw the line.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:23 AM
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Management
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Good rules are only worthwhile if they're enforced.
Every Spring we hear about using the correct strike zone, making a pitcher pitch within a reasonable time, etc. Last Spring wasn't there a rule that a player couldn't leave the batter's box between pitches or had to always keep one foot in the box? That was just ignored.
Way to go MLB - way to solve the right problems...they must be taking lessons from Congress, "Let's make it sound like we're doing something, so we can keep ignoring actual problems in the hope they'll go away on their own."
Doug, what is it that you'd like to see them do? This strikes me as smart, low impact moves. Seems similar to the NFL's competition committee in purpose. I like that, and I like DP's suggestion re the batter's box.
Doug, that works for the NFL!
Sheesh! see "Bowa's Head" for my opinion on this one. Redrawing the batter's box every so often is a great idea !