The 2003 season in Review

The Ideas

I also think that there are some things that can be done to help with the way the game is played at the lower. There is no doubt, that the lower scoring games are the best ones to play - and watch. However (and take a moment here to look at our results for the season), you can see that there are not too many of these. The primary reason is the lack of quality pitching. Now this is something that can only be remedied on the playing side, however there are other areas than can help. Calling a full size strike zone for one. It seems that a lot of the time we end up with a strike zone almost as small as the Major leagues. Of course, all teams use their own players to umpire a game, as there are very few official umpires in this country. Now even assuming these teams always make sure it is their most experienced players (if we have 8 home games, then our 8 most experienced players umpire one game each), it still means they don't get enough practice. So understandably mistakes are made. However, I think one instructions all umpires should be given is to call a full size strike zone, and give the benefit of any doubt to the pitcher. Let's face it, there aren’t many pitchers at this level who are unhittable unless a pitch is down the middle. SO even if they are given strikes just off the corners, it is not going to out things hugely in their favour, but it might make for a better game. Walks kill the game, below the National League level.

It would also be a good idea to put a time limit on games. I think 3 1/2 hours is sufficient, unless the game is in extra innings. If only 6 innings have been played in this time, then hitting is too much on top, and no one is going to benefit by dragging it out any more.

It would also make sense to extend the slaughter rule to 15 runs, instead of 10 runs. At this level, 10 runs is a deficit that can be made up. It is usually obvious to both sides if it is a slaughter, or if one side has no chance of getting back into the game, so unless both sides agree at the 10 run point to end the game, it should only be automatic once it reaches 15 runs.

While we are at it, could I also suggest to all teams, that they provide as much foul territory as possible. Lets give some advantage back to the defence. In fact what most people don't realise, that the only reason for dead ball territory, is for safety or practical reasons. In actual fact, the rules of the game, allow you to catch the ball anywhere, as long as you can get to it. However since we don't have stands or bleaches, we tend to draw a line for overthrows, so that you don't score on a wild throw to first! For pop-ups, I believe the defence should be allowed to make a play on it wherever it is, unless it is amongst the kit and spectators, that line the areas by 1st and 3rd base.

Can I also suggest that teams who are unable to field 9 players, should not be punished further by having an automatic out in the 9th slot. They already are one fielder short, and losing an out, just messes the flow of the game. I'm sure most teams who can only field 8 players or less, are hardly likely to have the strongest 8 available! Let's keep the game playable. Trust me, playing with just one less fielder is a disadvantage enough. The only loophole would be if teams played with only 8 on purpose, to avoid playing someone who is an automatic strike out. But if teams are resorting to this, then I'm afraid the game is in trouble anyway.
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