So......Now You Can Steal First Base

[BrockForBroglio]

Watch this Southern Maryland player become the first in history to steal first base

The Atlantic League is toying with a rule that allows a batter to "steal" 1st base if the pitch gets by the catcher.

This is fvcked up......

 

[GettinSquirrely]

I don't see a huge issue with at least testing it. It'll make more pitches have a chance for more excitement

 

[Guy Incognito]

Watch this Southern Maryland player become the first in history to steal first base

The Atlantic League is toying with a rule that allows a batter to "steal" 1st base if the pitch gets by the catcher.

This is fvcked up......

Adds a new wrinkle. This might happen once every two or three games, anyway.

Besides, now you'll get a new "situational awareness" thing. Heck, it might even indirectly speed up the game by keeping hitters in the batter's box (the rule on stealing first right now includes making an affirmative move to first base with both feet out of the box, and is up to the ump's judgment as to the "affirmative" move).

 

[CaptainStubing]

i think i read a little about the rule. i think it only applies if the pitch doesn't touch the catcher or his glove at all? is that correct?

 

[Guy Incognito]

i think i read a little about the rule. i think it only applies if the pitch doesn't touch the catcher or his glove at all? is that correct?

In the curious Atlantic League, stealing first base is simply playing by the rules

The rule is, the batter/baserunner may steal first base on any pitch not caught in flight. Basically, it’s the dropped-third-strike rule widened to seatbelt-extender size. The defensive play at first base is a force. The batter must have both feet out of the batter’s box and have made an affirmative move toward first to be considered in the act of stealing the base. This is the umpire’s judgment. Any runners on base are at that point in play as well, meaning, for example, an existing runner at first may be forced out at second base. Also, the batter/baserunner must commit before the first defensive player fields the ball.

 

[nynasty]

Not sure what game that is, but it's not baseball.

 

[CaptainStubing]

Not sure what game that is, but it's not baseball.

Maybe it's cricket?

 

[Mofo]

In the curious Atlantic League, stealing first base is simply playing by the rules

The rule is, the batter/baserunner may steal first base on any pitch not caught in flight. Basically, it’s the dropped-third-strike rule widened to seatbelt-extender size. The defensive play at first base is a force. The batter must have both feet out of the batter’s box and have made an affirmative move toward first to be considered in the act of stealing the base. This is the umpire’s judgment. Any runners on base are at that point in play as well, meaning, for example, an existing runner at first may be forced out at second base. Also, the batter/baserunner must commit before the first defensive player fields the ball.

It’s a mistake. If this was added to MLB play in the current climate, the only effect it would have would be to inflate home run totals even more. Concerns about passed balls would cause pitchers to throw more in the strike zone, resulting in less risk for batters to swing away.

I’m all for more “small ball” and manufacturing runs, but this isn’t the way to do it.

 

[Dolemite censored]

I like this new rule, but if its a wild pitch or a passed ball, is it still considered a stolen base, or just an error, or both?

 

[Mofo]

I like this new rule, but if its a wild pitch or a passed ball, is it still considered a stolen base, or just an error, or both?

Stolen base. The pitcher or catcher don’t take an error on a wild pitch or passed ball. Conceivably, the catcher can misplay the throw to 1st and the umpire assess an error there.

 

[Guy Incognito]

It’s a mistake. If this was added to MLB play in the current climate, the only effect it would have would be to inflate home run totals even more. Concerns about passed balls would cause pitchers to throw more in the strike zone, resulting in less risk for batters to swing away.

I’m all for more “small ball” and manufacturing runs, but this isn’t the way to do it.

I doubt that. Players would be giving up opportunities for home runs to take a base. Given how infrequently some guys will do that now while they're basically being given free singles with defensive shifts, I don't think a huge spike in steals of first base would be forthcoming.

 

[Mofo]

I doubt that. Players would be giving up opportunities for home runs to take a base. Given how infrequently some guys will do that now while they're basically being given free singles with defensive shifts, I don't think a huge spike in steals of first base would be forthcoming.

Nah, not a huge spike, regardless.

But a player (who is fast enough) will gladly take a free base instead of a chance to strike out.

 

[tducey]

Heard about this, yeah I don't see this thing getting much traction.

 

[Voltaire26]

Watch this Southern Maryland player become the first in history to steal first base

The Atlantic League is toying with a rule that allows a batter to "steal" 1st base if the pitch gets by the catcher.

This is fvcked up......

I think it's a dumb idea, but I find it funny that a person named after Lou Brock is against it ... Lou was not opposed to stealing a base or three!!!

 

[BrockForBroglio]

I think it's a dumb idea, but I find it funny that a person named after Lou Brock is against it ... Lou was not opposed to stealing a base or three!!!

Stealing 2nd or 3rd, don't be that goofy.

 

[Voltaire26]

Stealing 2nd or 3rd, don't be that goofy.

and every once in a while he'd still home. I went for 10 days hating Lou Brock (1968 World Series).

 

[PEOPLESCHICKEN]

I don't see a huge issue with at least testing it. It'll make more pitches have a chance for more excitement

Not a whole lot different when a catcher drops strike 3

 

[RubinRock]

The dropped 3rd strike rule is already dumb enough.