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Reputation:83
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 22, 2007
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In David Haugh's (usually writes about the Bears/) column today in the Chicago Tribune entitled, "2 Bad Centuries in a Row?" (ya, ya, ya, whatever) he interviews futurists who postulate how the game will change over the next century since the Cubs last World Series Championship (1908 for those of us who forget, again ya, ya, ya, whatever).'
Link to article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-080329-chicago-cubs-f
uturists,0,4537265.story
Three of the more popular (among the futurists) changes include: On-base percentage (OBP) will supplant batting average as the most definitive measure of offensive production; MLB will add 1-2 more leagues to place franchises in Latin America, and Asia with a post-season round-robin tournament to determine the World Champions, and that the National League will be forced to add the DH rule so level out statistics between the National and American leagues.
I personally detest the DH rule, and feel of the changes discussed IT would diminish the game most. What say you? Of the three changes envisioned by the futurists, which would be the WORST advancement in the game of baseball, and why do you think that?
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 2, 2007
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All three are awful predictions, but I picked expansion to leagues in Asia and Latin America as the worst. As it is, there are too many teams in baseball, and it's gotten to the point where a lot of players who have no business being in the bigs are there because teams need to fill spots on their rosters.
I would also hate to see the DH added to the National League because the DH removes 90% of the strategy involved in baseball. For me, National League games are a lot more fun to watch in the late innings because the importance of a manager's use of his bullpen and bench is magnified, adding more drama to the game.
OBP supplanting batting average has no bearing on how the game itself is played, and quite frankly, I think a lot more teams look at OBP with greater importance than average these days anyway.
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Reputation:90
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 9, 2008
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I think OBP already is a better tool when evaluating a hitters performance. Obviously its a stat that relies heavily on walks, unless you bat .350. OPS is probably the most imporant stat IMO when judging a hitter.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 28, 2008
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Why would you want to add Asain and Latin American leagues when we have the world baseball classic? I thinks its cool to have a tournament in the offseason against other countries every 4 years to see who is the best. But EVERY season! Those would be some pretty far road games. As for the DH rule, IMO either let both leagues use it or not at all. I dont see why pitchers cant hit. Like Jason Marquis once said "IM not a pitcher im a baseball player." besides there is nothing more exciting then seeing Big Z go Yard.
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Reputation:83
Level:All-Star
Since:Jan 22, 2007
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Hi G-code
You make two excellent points.
First:
Why would you want to add Asain and Latin American leagues when we have the world baseball classic?
Not that I am in agreement with it, but it's all about the MONEY. By starting leagues, you have teams playing 162 games - not just a tournament every 4 years. Not unlike the McDonald's or Coca-Cola Corporations, the largest untapped markets for MLB's product can be found in previously undeveloped economies in Central and South America as well as Asia (culturally not sure how that would go over in Japan because of their passion for their own league.
Second:
Like Jason Marquis once said "IM not a pitcher im a baseball player." besides there is nothing more exciting then seeing Big Z go Yard.
I've always wondered this too. How does a kid that probably played 4-5 positions and hit the heck out of the ball for their high school teams, go in 3 years to looking like a complete wuss at the plate? I HATE it when a pitcher comes up only to see him take half-hearted cuts that make me look like a better hitter. I actually can't wait for Z to get to the plate. And actually, I think the Cubs have an advantage over MANY other teams in this area. We've got: Zambrano, Marquis, and Wood all capable of hitting and even going yard.
Great points G-Code!
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 16, 2008
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I think that OBP will be lokoed at more carefully in the years to come but the real indicator of offensive impact is and will be in the future OBP+SLG getting on base and moving around them is what makes a player worth having.
However baseball is a game of traditions and batting average will NEVER be an insignificant stat.
The other important change in the future is that people will always wonder why the Cubs were ever called the lovable losers after their string of World Series titles that began in 2008! Let the season begin
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Reputation:91
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 1, 2008
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Onbase percentage in my opinion as been the best way to measure how good a batter is. Averages are overrated to a point and is not the best way to determine how good hitters are. You can have a hitter who has a low average but a high onbase percentage who scores more runs because he is on base often. Having teams in Japan and Latin America sounds nice, but how fair would it be to for fans to have their team play a world Series in Japan and not beable to watch it because of the time difference or travel to see their team because of the cost. The DH in the Nation League is a horrible idea it takes away from the purity of the NL and the small ball which makes the NL the classic and most intriging style of baseball.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Dec 10, 2006
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Have to go with the dh rule. It was only ever brought in because the AL needed to be more entertaining and was more of a economic move, rather than a move to make baseball a better game. The best part of pitchers hitting is that it creates an intriguing strategic part of the game. If you want to even everything out, since the AL is back on their feet, they should scrap the DH rule.
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