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The Foolproof Way To Fix Baseball
Many of the MLB’s problems would go away with this one simple change
Baseball is broken. At least, that is what everyone is saying. The internet is awash with articles that are shouting baseball’s demise from the rooftops. Everyone agrees that something has gone terribly wrong. The strikeout rate is through the roof. Balls are not being put into play. There have been seven combined no-hitters already this season which as tied the record for the most ever in a season since 1900 and it is only June.
Most people agree that the pitching has outpaced the batting in the majors. Pitchers have gotten so good, so wily and so specialized that hitting off pro pitchers has, arguably, never been harder. Without going off into the weeds about spin rate, pitch speed and movement, it is safe to say that pitchers today are really, really good.
On the other side of the plate, there is an obsession with hitting home runs. Players don’t seem to mind striking out as long as they can hit dingers. The veneration of the steroid era of baseball has led to a new generation that cares little for getting to first and everything about getting it over the wall.
We have all seen the results of this combination on the field.