Great piece. So strikeouts are a big part of this, but even BABIPs are down to .288, which is likely due to shifts and perhaps somewhat because of a deadened ball (although BABIPS are still lower than they were five years ago). I don't like banning shifts at all, but we do need to ask how to turn more balls into play into hits. Maybe making the outfield larger by moving back fences? I'm not sure. I do agree that lowering the mound and stricter rules on foreign substances would take some of the advantage away from pitchers.
I do not see hitters move around in the batters box. Closer to or further away from the plate. I think if hitters were willing to make some minor adjustments in the box on an at bat to at bat situation to situation basis, they would be in better position to succeed.
You're right that the hitters have always been at a disadvantage - evidenced by the fact that they historically lose over 70% of the battles - you're also right that the pitchers are damn good.
However, to deny that the shift plays a part is inaccurate. You said yourself that the every part of the game is analyzed more than ever, part of that analysis is who to shift and where to shift. Defenses wouldn't do it if it didn't work.
Until hitters start making adjustments and hitting against the shift then mlb shouldn't do a single thing. Learn how to bunt, hit the ball oppy, play the game of knowing where the D is and where your opportunity is. Moose did it and drove his BA up and got to an All-Star level.
It's not on MLB to bail out one side of the game that is stubborn and stuck in an old-school mindset and refuses to adapt when the other side of the game has.
Great piece. So strikeouts are a big part of this, but even BABIPs are down to .288, which is likely due to shifts and perhaps somewhat because of a deadened ball (although BABIPS are still lower than they were five years ago). I don't like banning shifts at all, but we do need to ask how to turn more balls into play into hits. Maybe making the outfield larger by moving back fences? I'm not sure. I do agree that lowering the mound and stricter rules on foreign substances would take some of the advantage away from pitchers.
I do not see hitters move around in the batters box. Closer to or further away from the plate. I think if hitters were willing to make some minor adjustments in the box on an at bat to at bat situation to situation basis, they would be in better position to succeed.
You're right that the hitters have always been at a disadvantage - evidenced by the fact that they historically lose over 70% of the battles - you're also right that the pitchers are damn good.
However, to deny that the shift plays a part is inaccurate. You said yourself that the every part of the game is analyzed more than ever, part of that analysis is who to shift and where to shift. Defenses wouldn't do it if it didn't work.
Until hitters start making adjustments and hitting against the shift then mlb shouldn't do a single thing. Learn how to bunt, hit the ball oppy, play the game of knowing where the D is and where your opportunity is. Moose did it and drove his BA up and got to an All-Star level.
It's not on MLB to bail out one side of the game that is stubborn and stuck in an old-school mindset and refuses to adapt when the other side of the game has.