Friday, April 04, 2014
IBB solution
A straight arrow reader reminded me of this solution we had. I don't remember what our ultimate opinion was, so, I'll throw it back out there again. I also sent it to Poz and Bill, and maybe they'll talk about it as well.
One of the Straight Arrow readers had proposed that: in any 4-pitch walk (or hit batter), the batting team has the option to send the on-deck hitter to first base, and keep the batter at the plate to start at 0-0. (If you must, you can limit it to 1 or 2 outs, or if you really must: 2 outs.)
Basically, trade spots with the on-deck hitter.
So, for those teams that like the idea of "setting up the DP", they can still do it.
For teams to walk the #8 hitter to face the pitcher: that will stop tomorrow.
For teams to walk Cabrera (even unintentionally, but without a strike) to face whoever is on deck: well, now Cabrera is guaranteed to get either at least one strike, or have at least a runner on base.
Let's just say this is payback for all the times he was handcuffed.
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