Did MLB Actually Ban The Shift?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Will teams start doing this all the time?
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This is a good interesting addition to the game. Adds a lot more risk and strategy to it. So now you have the benefits of a shift but any single or even routine fly ball to the left turns into extra bases
Agree
The Royals were the first to do this during an MLB game outside of spring training but they did it where the right fielder moves in, and the other two outfielders cover left-center and right-center
and any double turns into an inside the park homerun
Actually the stats on lefties going to left field are minimal. This is a softball strategy known as roving. I love it because it simplifies the game and adds to infinite outcomes. For example a right handed center fielders have an advantage to throws to third but left handed ones have the advantage to catch. But the rover has one for all shallow balls from second to third base line while center has deep balls or doubles as we say while keeping the double play intact in the infield. The lefty batter would need to be skilled at bunting to left which is extremely rare! Great job Red Sox coaching!😂
Actually the stats on lefties going to left field are minimal. This is a softball strategy known as roving. I love it because it simplifies the game and adds to infinite outcomes. For example a right handed center fielders have an advantage to throws to third but left handed ones have the advantage to catch. But the rover has one for all shallow balls from second to third base line while center has deep balls or doubles as we say while keeping the double play intact in the infield. The batter would need to be skilled at bunting to left which is extremely rare! Great job Red Sox coaching!
Like the man said long ago: "Hit it where they ain't".
This!
Wee Willie
The reason why people shift like this is because some hitters can't
Skill issue
@@MontaEllisSupremacy Wee Willie Keeler.
This shift ban is why I put Corey seager on my fantasy team lol
Edit - damn it he just got injured y'all
If major league hitters would be true hitters, and be able to hit to all fields, it wouldn't matter, I would be ashamed to call myself a mlb hitter if I struck out 100+ times in a season
@@brianwhite1709idiot
@@brianwhite1709I wouldn't feel shame for being a professional
@@Blake22022 haha
@@brianwhite1709 okay Coach Brian, let’s see you be a “true hitter” and bat .300 at the mlb level
Saw this in a game this spring. Lefty batter laughed and slapped the ball to left field.
That's the whole problem. If hitters were smart, they would "hit them where they ain't" and then there would be no rule needed to stop the shift 🙄
@@charlesray9674 Obviously, you can't always be successful in that way...
@@tima.478 True, but you just need to be successful once every three tries....
@@charlesray9674 It's way harder than you think it is. When the shift is on the pitcher also pitches you to hit into the shift. You think you're going to have 33% of good results against most MLB pitchers, you got another thing coming. As a batter you're already up against 9 defenders and one is even behind you. The defense has plenty of advantage against you, which Is why I don't agree with the shift.
@Tim A. I get what you're saying. The shift is employed against star homerun hitters. I don't remember the Mets hitter who faced the shift, he just laid down a bunt and made it to second on the throwing error. On his next AB, no shift and struck out swinging 😔🤣🤣🤣🤣
I have seen Wade Boggs, while not a homerun hitter, connect going the other way.
I have seen the shift in Short A games against players who aren't homerun hitters and the hitters never reposition their feet to try to hit the other way. 🤬
Anyways, there is no need for a shift if pitchers learn how to use the outside of plate more.
I remember David Ortiz had an at-bat against the shift, 3rd basemen playing just on the grass in shallow right field leaving no one on the left side of the infield. Papi smirked and laid down a bunt down the 3rd base line.
One of my favorite baseball memories.
I think if you are willing to sacrifice your left field then I don’t see a problem. Just hit it oppo you are in the MLB for a reason
Now THAT'S baseball!!!
Pitchers are too good now. Imagine trying to hit an inside fast ball going 95 mph into left field
@@jamesknik4912 what pitcher are you watching who can consistently do that? Games I’ve been watching have inside pitches go doesn’t he middle and outside pretty often.
That was the same argument for the original shift
LOL!! Can you explain how to hit a 95 mph inside fastball to left field?
If a professional hitter can't figure out how to go opposite field, that's on him man. I don't mind shifts at all
Exactly how I feel. You have 9 guy's. Put them where you want. You're going to get burned as often as it works out for you. It makes the game more fun.
A professional pitcher has a lot more control than the hitter. Either crowd the plate and try to lean into a HBP or they're going to eat you alive with inside fastballs. This isn't your HS league, a quality pitcher attacks the inside of the plate against a lefty precisely because it is so hard to hit away from the shift. If it were so easy then why has there not been a hitter over .350 in a decade? Pitchers are so good now a days.
Here’s the thing, you pitch into your shift as a pitcher. If the defense is playing pull side on a lefty, everything is gonna be thrown inside. It’s really hard to go inside out like that especially in today’s game where average guys are throwing 98 sinkers and cutters with insane movement.
@@clint6716that's your strategy as a pitcher. A Lefty batter should start learning to hit to the gap created by the defense.
@@geef917 if it was that easy hitters would do it and there wouldn't be a shift. The entire reason there was a shift and why it was banned is it works. You've never hit against someone remotely close to a MLB pitcher, you can't just "learn to hit the gap", this sport doesn't work that way anymore.
Just means if the player puts the ball in left it’s a triple/inside the parker
A comment like these means you don't know anything about baseball.
@@Dickpuffnstuff That seems fairly harsh. If a lefty pull hitter who has decent wheels puts one into left on a fluke then he’s gonna get extra bases.
@Bobby Syblik ok maybe it's a bit harsh but it's true. It's not just the fielders moving, it's a team strategy that is mostly depend on pitch location. You generally don't hit an inside pitch to left. It's kind of like saying why don't the batter just always hit it where the fielders aren't.
@@Dickpuffnstuff Are you saying that because you don't think a fly ball to left against this alignment wouldn't result in a triple or inside the park home run, or because you think it's impossible for players to hit the ball to the opposite field?
@PFBM Impossible no, but close enough. When you see people beat the shift to the opposite field it's cause the pitcher messed up on his placement. Just think about where your hands and bat would have to be to hit an inside fastball oppo with any kind of power.... Here's a statement, the batters should just hit the ball where the fielders aren't standing, they'd get a hit most the time, why don't they do that?
Put the fielders wherever you want. If a professional hitter can’t find a hole, he shouldn’t be in the lineup.
Preach
absolutely stupid rule by the mlb.
I think we saw what hitters do. The path of least resistance was 3 outcome players. Can’t have a line drive caught if you don’t hit line drives. Shift is why a season with a .200 batting average and 200 strikeouts got rewarded as long as it came with 30+ home runs.
Idk about you, but I’d prefer to see another Ichiro over another Schwarber.
@@andyhighroller8217 agree 100%. Hitting is an art, especially for guys who can hit to all fields. I used to love watching guys like Ichiro, Tony Gwynn, Wade Boggs, Edgar Martinez, drive the ball to all fields. Now it’s a game of Joey Gallo’s, straight pull hitters, swinging for the fences and hitting .188. There’s nothing spectacular about that imo.
L take
Imagine if the NFL came out and said “a defense must always have 4 players on the LOS and 4 DBs on the field at all times.” People would lose their minds. And yet somehow, in the MLB, people just accept that they can dictate how you set your defense.
literally 90s basketball
The nfl has illegal formation though so isn’t that similar and basketball has a 3 second violation and the nhl has offsides
@@nslarson50 the nfl has illegal formations on offense not the defense
And the bullshit pitch timer they got now . Its all bullshit same with the NFL
The difference is that scoring in the NFL is just fine. Batting averages in the MLB we’re getting ridiculously low. With fans leaving by the hundreds they had to do something. The fix? Raise batting averages by banning the fix. More batting = more action (and thus) = more fan (more money)
I remember Mike Schmidt on a broadcast being asked if teams ever shifted against him. He said, “I’m a righty so they couldn’t go too crazy but they tried it a few times against me. After I got some hits into right field, I never really saw it again.” He said this after Harper got a hit on soft contact down the 3rd base line a couple years ago. The best hitters always find a way
Giving up singles don't matter. Getting a power hitter to choke up and swing softly is the Win in the first place.
And this is why this ban was not needed. If you are an MLB-level ball player, you should have the ability to hit to all fields.
@@arcticredpanda4598 singles definitely do matter and what is he supposed to do? Groundout? Strikeout?
@@MmmmThisIsATastyBurger If I'm the starting pitcher, I would absolutely love the 3-4-5 guys to not bother trying to hit it out of the park
@@arcticredpanda4598 I think you’re missing the point
Amazing that a professional hitter can't have a different swing to serve it into LF.
lmao, bro, they certainly ARE the best of the best hitters in the world and they still can't hit oppo for average like they can pull hitting. That in itself makes it very apparent how fucking unbelievably difficult it is at this level and the shift is just a disproportionate advantage for defense and makes the game boring as fuck.
@@AndyUrWald Someone doesn't like strategy and exploiting the weakness of opponents...
@@deew_knird_reeb_ekomS nah, the shift is an unfair advantage which is why they are doing away with it. i can make the exact same argument against pitchers, “if you dont like hitters pulling the ball against you then learn how to pitch better”. In the end its about having a level playing field, your best defense against the opposing teams best offense without having to rely on uncompetitive advantages. The game is already better without it. It’s lightyears easier for a pitcher to pitch with a shift than it is for batters to bat against a shift.
@@AndyUrWald If it was about a "level playing field" then they would allow tie games. You clearly don't understand the concept of being better than your opponent.
@@AndyUrWald If we were discussing little league baseball I'd 100% agree with you. But we're not.
It's kind of sad there were so many guys who always got shifted on, and yet they never even bothered to try and hit against it. MLB had to bail out pull hitters who were too stubborn to learn to hit oppo.
Right, they were just up there at the plate thinking “I’m just gonna keep hitting it right at the shifted defense” 🤔😒😂
@@someoneyoudontknow7705 Three true outcomes, they were gonna strikeout, walk or homer.
I frequently said, you want to fix the shift bunt to third base everytime. It eould have stopped this
Too scared to switch hit bunch of titty babys playi football baseball and driveing NASCAR
Yea these are professional athletes they should be able to counter such a simple adjustment
Banning the shift and the pitch clock made baseball actually watchable
Like only retired people and baseball moms watch it at all and stay home moms just have as white noise cuz I don’t have 6 hours to watch a inning
They should’ve never banned the shift to begin with. Strategy and tactics is what sets teams apart in sports, it’s entertaining to watch from a viewer standpoint.
You're a real fan. Baseball is a game of skill AND strategy. That's why people with a low IQ don't like baseball.
No it’s not entertaining. Nothing is entertaining about a ground out every at bat. Fans get on their feet for base hits, not people getting thrown out at first. Banning the shift is a great thing for baseball.
💯 play anywhere you want, shift, or no shift. Be a professional batter
@@stevemcculloch8915 correct…. The team literally gives you an open side of the field …. You are a pro and can only hit on 1 side of the field…. You don’t even have to hit good…. A dribbler towards 3rd will get you a base hit.
Shifts are making the game not fun to watch.
Easy way to beat a shift: hit it the other way.
Tell me you've never played baseball without telling me you've never played baseball
@@korilshey1934 their egos won’t let them go the other way.
@Koril Shey tell me you're dumb without sayinf you're dumb.
@@michaelharkins4645 That may be the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
Hit it the other way 4head
That is part of the game in my opinion…knowing your opponent’s weakness & strengths, and the art of “anticipation” and statistics.
Analytics ruined baseball
Like they say in football, take what the defense gives you.
When I was in coach pitch, the right field fence was really shallow because it backed up to a street. My coach taught me to hit it to right field and I was hitting dingers all year.
MLB should not have any limitations on a coach’s strategy. No matter where the shift is a pro player should be able to hit some where else.
Any teams upset about the shift could easily just replace pull hitters with people that hit both ways. Being able to hit both ways makes a more skilled hitter. People wouldn’t use the shift on you if you could either teach your players to hit to the other side or sign players that can.
Shift hitters are super uncommon for many reasons. It's hard enough becoming a MLB player in general. Now imagine your batting average has to be good enough hitting and playing the field to make it to the major leagues. Now try to have a player who bats well right and left handed AND is defensively good enough as well.
All of that is on top of the fact that pitchers are getting better and more consistent every year due to playing 3-4 pitchers every game while batting is harder due to needing to be able to deal with multiple different pitching styles every single game.
Hitting one way is already insanely hard. Playing in the field is difficult in any position, and pitchers are crazy. Making switch hitting at a major league level rare and near impossible.
@@JermanatorD12 you’re confusing the word shift hitter with switch hitter. I simply mean someone who can hit the ball to the other side of the field. Someone who is not a pull hitter. Teams do not use the shift against people that can hit to opposite field.
lol they could 'easily' replace their ballplayers? what kind of stupid f**** statement is that? why do you online youtube baseball idiots always think every dumb idea that comes into your head is 'easily' done? just asinine.
I actually like this a lot because all you need to do is knock it oppo and you guaranteed yourself a double maybe even a triple. High risk, high reward.
Just pound the inside part of the plate and it's basically impossible for a lefty to hit it in the air opposite way
That was the same argument that was used pre shift ban. So, wtf are you actually arguing?
I dont. Because the shift should never have been banned for infielders
@@anonymousperson3023It's higher risk now. If you can dedicate your right baseman to the shift, that's no big deal you just have left field handle that side. If you have to use the left fielder, anything that goes past the third baseman is huge.
I’m a left handed hitter, but I am a push hitter. A few years ago the shifted similar to how the Red Sox one is, except the 3rd and SS were moved to the right. I hit a line drive to left field and got an inside the park home run easily. 💀
Imagine being so bad at hitting that they have to change the rules so you can get a hit.
I’m a left handed hitter and you have no idea how lethal you can be until you find out how to hit the ball to the opposite field.
I'm a leftie as well, and I approve your comment, lol...
It’s absolutely fair if both teams get to utilize the same strategies 😂
Not about fairness, its about the quality of the product, and watching this shit sucks. Should be the end of the conversation but a bunch of couch coaches think ruling it out will impact the purity of the stats as if juiced eras, the steroid era, dead ball eras and times where players' careers were paused to go to war didn't exist
they basically banning strategy atp
Never had an issue with the shift to begin with sooooo I'm here for this
Same. I never thought it was a problem to begin with. Let the strategies develop.
If you can't hit the opposite way, it's your own fault.
100%
Lazy ass take, mlb pitchers can very easily limit the ability of top caliber hitters from going oppo. Lemme know when literally anyone can take 90+ heat inside to opposite field consistently to neutralize the effect of the shift. No matter how much time a batter puts into hitting oppo it will always be for a worse average than pull hitting. This disproportionality gives the advantage to the defense and makes the game unbearably boring by limiting singles/base runners/RBI opportunities. It's 100% about having an even battle field (offense vs. defense, pitcher vs. batter, etc.), not making it next to impossible for players to hit singles.
@@AndyUrWald if there's no one over there, bunt for an easy single. Who's gonna get it? Not the third baseman who's over standing on second base.
@@naverilllang Yeah, that sounds all nice and simple in your head, I get it, but the same shit man, bunting exactly where you want it against MLB caliber pitching is just so difficult. Not to mention how fucking boring and drab the game becomes. Also, I'm pretty sure MLB managers may have considered the possibility of bunting to beat a shift, lmao. Finally, why is all the responsibility on the god damn hitter?? Where's the pitcher's stake in all of this?? I can make the exact same argument, "if you can't pitch well enough to limit a hitter from pulling the ball, then get better at pitching" etc. etc.
@AndyUrWald I think to say that is a disgrace to all the current and past hitters that could. Why should
They make it easier for hitters that can't do both. Nascar drivers turn left 90% of the of time but, they can turn right every now and then as well.
Banning the shift is ridiculous. Let the defense align how they want. Hitters have to adapt.
Agreed. When baseball started, the shortstop was an outfielder and gradually brought into the infield. Fielding positions should be open to innovation and hitters need to adjust accordingly. What are they doing playing in the MLB if they can't hit to both sides of the field?
Nah. While I agree philosophically, you have to understand that baseball is a business. Offense sells tickets and attracts fans. While real fans understand and enjoy what goes into a pitching duel, the average person thinks it’s boring. It’s why Manfred had to secretly juice the balls while officially backing shortening the games. Juiced balls=more offense=more eyes on baseball AND longer games, while dead balls=less offense=fewer eyes but shorter games.
If you like baseball, the only way to continue to add fans and keep it in the same status as today is to allow offense to thrive. 10yrs ago, there were teams that maybe had 1 or 2 guys that threw harder than 96mph. Now, every team has a at least a couple guys throwing near 100mph. Batters are adapting, and the adaptation, in part due to the shift, became 3 true outcome players. Home run, walk or strikeout. The average pitcher throws a lot harder than before, enough to where statisticians believe a .280 batting average is equivalent to a .310 batting average 15yrs ago.
I’m not saying they should have to remove a fielder each inning or put a tee on the plate, but baseball is easier to conceptuallize and therefore easier to sell to new fans if guys stay in the listed position.
Why call him a left fielder if he’s playing shallow right?
It’s nice to think hitters would adapt, but in reality, the adaptation won’t be more well rounded hitters, but instead more specialization. More platoons and loopholes as opposed to grinding the way back to what baseball should look like.
Gotta remember, teams will choose the path of least resistance every time. Is it easier to change everyone’s spray chart? Or is it easier to change a launch angle and go for HR’s and K’s instead of taking your chances with a well hit liner to what used to be the gap? The zag to the shift’s zig isn’t “hit it to that side then”. It’s “don’t give the fielder a chance, hit it out.”
It’s easy to swing hard, but it create more strikeouts.
I’d rather see another Ichiro than another Schwarber.
All the shift does is minimize balls in play, which is far more exciting and attractive than a home run sandwiched by a dozen strikeouts. The shift is what made a .200 batting average, 200 K season okay, just as long as it came with 30-40 home runs.
why don't pitchers have to adapt?
The fact that they stopped the shift is wild. If you a pro and can't hit the other way sit down.
A great hitter adjust and knows how to hit to the opposite field when he needs to. If every guy wasn't trying to hit a homerun, then you can exploit these shifts.
If they could they would have been exploiting the shift the entire time.
@@2332Stephen you're correct that they don't care about putting the ball in play and try to hit home runs because that's what gets them paid. No one gets massive free-agent contracts for singles.
@@AverageLeagueHack There's an argument for players who get on base. If someone is consistently having 350 batting average Every year and an on base percentage of 700 He's just as valuable As someone who's got a batting average of 265 but hits 40 home Runs. It depends on what the team thinks is valuable to their lineup. You know the funniest thing is back when I played little league and I Made it to the state tournament And we were playing for the state championship, Coach put me in the clean up spot in the batting order. Typically I'm usually in the 6 or 7 spot. Because I wasn't a power hitter, But the coach also knew that I get a lot of Hits , And I had a really good state tournament I was batting like 300 plus So coach was like I'm gonna put you in the cleanup spot Because I can count on you to Get on base. So at the end of the day yeah home runs are nice but Those teams will take a bunch of singles and doubles all day With the runners in scoring position because it's really the same result anyways
And Not very many lefties can hit to the opposite field. Why all the cryin' & whinin' !!!! Not very guys earn their zillion$ !!!!!
Players need to adjust their swing. I watched Mark Texiera hit into the teeth of the shift for years.
OMG I completely forgot about Mark Texiera! Maybe because I'm an Angels fan, I forced myself to forget, haha. You're right though, for sure.
@@SomebodyPickaName One of the best defensive 1st baseman I've seen play. Dead pull hitter. He was still fun to watch.
Definitely, just hit the ball to the position that’s missing a player…you’re a professional, shouldn’t be an issue 😊
And Sonia the pitcher. By your logic the pitcher shouldn't have any problems throwing pitch types and in locations that are going to be more difficult to hit to opposite field. The 'you are a pro, it shouldn't be too hard' cuts both ways.
Banning the shift is a pathetic move by Manfraud and MLB. Strategy should not be curtailed. Furthermore, if a professional hitter is incapable of going the other way, then that is on them.
there’s a reason league wide batting avgs were the lowest ever in recent years
No. If the pitchers cant get anybody out with the fielders they already have, which is already a huge advantage, then its on them! Its already hard enough to get a hit seeing how if you have success 30% of the time youre practically a hall of famer. The shift shouldve been banned from the start.
@@Badspinache wrong
true, just wait and hit oppo
While I agree, you lose credibility with nonsense like ‘Manfraud’
A blooper to left is gonna be a inside the park home run 😂😂😂😂😂
They did this in spring training but have the Sox or any team actually done this during the regular season?
Yes, I have seen it once or twice already
@@luisperez7025 which team has been doing it? I've watched a few Sox games and Braves games this season and haven't seen it.
Royals have done it almost every game
@@Paul-we3kb Interesting. How's it working for them?
As much as anything else is working for the royals 💀
I want nothing more than to see someone hit one down the line that sits in the corner. And they just get to run
It may be similar but that means a risky strategy. If they're willing to assume the risk for the reward, it should be legal. They're gonna get burned by it sometimes as well
Completely true
When you have to ban where people can stand in a sport where everyone mostly just stands around, you know your sport is broken.
They're breaking it one step at a time unfortunately. This change was so wild.
I’d allow it.
If hitters can’t take advantage of an empty left field, fielders should be able to play wherever. Defense is essentially inviting the batter to get a triple, and batters are too stuck in their ways to either bunt to left or hit the ball the left.
Teams should be able to put their fielders anywhere they want. If you don't want them doing it, learn to hit to the opposite field.
Exactly
It’s not a loophole. It’s doing what you want while still complying with regulations.
That’s kind of the definition of a loophole
Sooo… its a loophole then?
Hahaha, that sounds like you just described a loophole? 😅
That just means their 3B, SS and CF better be as quick as rabbits when that ball comes their way.
Penis
It also prevents a totally normal defensive position where the 2nd base fielder is slightly to the right of the bag.
Nothing is stopping other teams from enacting this maneuver, so definitely fair. If an opposing team enacts it themselves and the Sox start complaining, the league can ignore the whining and/or affect a rule that denies this option for *every* team...since it's basically common knowledge at this point, any possibility of trademarking it (if it is even possible to trademark/copyright an outfield shift pattern) goes right out the window.
Not the fault of the Red Sox if another team doesn't take advantage of that "loophole"...
Let them give up all the inside the park home runs they want 😂
They do it against guys whole pull the ball. Usually they’re slow too. Lmk when that happens
@@mjblazing8279 multiple times already
The least risky place to do this is Fenway because left field is so short/small. That’s prob why the Sox do it so much.
I said this would happen. Saw AAA games where this was happening or the teams would have the SS play just barely to the left of second base
Essentially it's coaches who are fuming about the changes and this is a middle finger to it so to speak.
It might last, might not... will be interesting to see how many batters can take advantage of a wide open part of the OF
@1xRicky that’s pretty much the same thing. Most of the criticism of the shift is that it took hits up the middle away which these rules don’t actually solve
@No Shot NoVa considering how few batters could try bunting it to the open side... Yeah
Keep up the great content, man!
Just add a rule stating that you can’t have a player more than 60, 70, or 90 feet from their traditional position. Whatever it takes to end shifts like this. It’s also frustrating that batters can’t just take advantage of the shift and hit the ball away from a shift
I think it is fair. The true idea of any game is 2 capable opponents battle each other. Knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses are automatically factored into the game you play.
"YOU CANT STAND THERE"
good god
it is more fair than the MLB telling a manager what he can't do.
These guys are getting paid millions to not be able to hit oppo🤦♂️ if defensive shifts are so bad then instead of banning then you should put emphasis on the guys, who are getting paid MILLIONS, to be able to do their job. Its that simple
Like you can just hit inside fastballs oppo🙄🙄
This is the correct take, unfortunately its the losing take
@@anthonytravis1420 yep unfortunately
@@jamesknik4912 if you get paid millions and play the damn sport everyday, yes you should be able to. If I had made it to the league and everything was good except the fact I couldn’t hit oppo, I’d train every single day to put ANY pitch where I want it to be. High school is high enough level to be able to pick if you pop or ground the ball. By the time you get to the MLB you should be able to then put the ball where you want.
@@justinobambino1199 Acting you or highschool pitching is in any stratosphere near the mlb🙄🙄. There’s a reason why the shift has done nothing but increase in the past 15 years when by your logic the players would’ve been able to train to hit it to the opposite field by now. They just can’t. You get an inside fastball and try to hit it oppo you’ll break the damn bat.
When what players have done their whole baseball career has been a hit and they reach the majors, facing the best pitchers they have ever played against, they cannot just completely adjust.
But when trying beating the shift the pitcher has to miss their spot. The odds are VERY slim ur going 4/4 or even 3/4. and they’re only producing singles when you do. they’re probably only beating the shift once or twice a game. It’s just more worth it to get a homer than a single and thats the direction the shift is taking baseball and it’s BORING. We want more balls in play.
The issue here is if they hit it to left field it’s a double or triple. Under the old system it was only a single if they hit it to the left side of the infield
I didn’t even know their were rules about positions at all lol. I just figured the standard was the way it was solely because it was optimal.
I say let the teams position how they want. Then there’s variety in how different teams arrange their defense. Then if batters can hit against their disadvantages, now there is a deeper back and forth between offense and defense.
I do understand though if this is an unrealistic expectation. It just seems like a neat idea.
A team should be able to shift their players defensively anywhere they want. Period.
💯💯
if u can’t push the ball the other way your not a good ball player lol. simple facts a good player sprays the ball everywhere. MLB just wants to boost ratings
Why is the MLB trying to destroy The game by banning Smart positioning? How do you make a boring game even more boring? Tell them they can’t move.
Their doing it for more hits to make the game more exciting
Since they are saying, you can have a HR if you can hit an oppo single, it's very fair, under the infielder shift, an oppo single was still a single
It’s more than fair, as the rule already unnecessarily handicaps the defense by not letting them play where they want. If you the defense wants to gamble on you hitting it to a certain area by putting everyone over there, then it’s on you the batter to hit the ball somewhere else for a free base hit.
The fact that they didn't think to put in the rule "the left and right fielder must also stay on their side of 2nd base" is beyond me. Like, yeah, they could work around it by having the center fielder play shallow right, but at least then, if the ball is hit to left, it's a slow ass left fielder who has to chase it down.
Absolutely fair. Slap bunt to left field is a double. Don't think it will last long when everyone catches on
All shifts should be completely legal. It’s a game strategy. If you don’t want a shift implied on you, work on your opposite field skills.
Unlike the old shift, this leaves a third of the outfield empty. If the hitter gets one into the left, basically anything that drops is extra bases. We'll hope the Red Sox learn this the hard way a few times .
More guys should have been hitting .350+ during the legal shift era. Stupid hitters still try to pull everything and the Red Sox know it.
Shift shouldn't have been altered at all. Good for them for doing this. If a guy can't hit a certain way even a little bit, he should be punished.
There should be no bans on defensive positions. If the defense is willing to leave half the field open, a major league hitter should be able to hit opposite field. They’re giving you a free base if you can just slap or bunt it oppo. Take the free base.
Yes it's fair. The mlb needs to stop making up new rules. The cool trick in baseball are what makes it unique. They keep making rules so it is just a guy hitting a ball with a stick.
Moving one outfielder isn't an issue. Its when every team was dramatically moving their entire defenses every at bat it became a problem.
Hell yeah, it's fair. If the batter can crowd the plate and wear equipment up and down his body - the shift / any shift should be 100% legal.
Yea absolutely fair. In no other sport are players required to have a set defensive position. Having no shift is like saying a in football a defense can never use a prevent/Hail Mary defense
It’s only unfair to the fans that paid to watch. I wanna see action. Not cheap BS like extreme shifts.
If the batter can't hit to the opposite field maybe he should be a bench warmer
As an Orioles fan, I say this is fair. The "traditional" shift was also fair. Hitters need to learn how to hit to the opposite side of the field.
Absolutely fair. If you hit it to left field that's at minimum a double and likely a triple.
That's called an smart use of analytics
It's no different than playing basketball. If you are defending someone who doesn't have a left hand, you stand on his right hand, and defend that side.
Why is MLB telling teams where their fielders can stand? If the batter can't hit to the opposite field, that's their liability.
As a batter you're already up against 9 defenders and one of them is behind you...the defense doesn't need the added advantage of being able to shift!
I'm a leftie and I love it when fielders shift. I just delay my swing a little bit and send the ball into left field where what should've been an out or a single turns into an easy double. I don't understand why people do this against lefties. You don't see everyone shift to the left for righties.
The solution is for MLB to institute Tee-Ball rules.
Set cones out on the field. Tell each player that they have to stand next to a cone.
…and ‘No’ you don’t all get to play First Base!
My son has the talent to get drafted in a few years. Except that he refuses to push the ball to the opposite field. Won't listen when I tell him his bat speed/strength won't keep him alive against even minor league competition, if he can't go oppo. He pulls at least 75% of the balls he puts in play. Frustrating is an understatement.
I don't have a problem with this at all. If the D tries this and the batter (a professional remember) can loop the ball over the third baseman into left, it's off to the races ! I like this. Like intentional walking Barry Bonds with the bases loaded; you gonna outlaw that.
Two thoughts; 1, if they can do it, any other team, can also do it. 2, The Red Sox are in dead last place, at the moment, which is maybe why nobody is copying this?
As left handed batter I wish they would put the shift on me. I would bunt every single time. The 3rd baseman is now at shortstop so all you have to do is push the bunt to 3rd. You only have to get past the pitcher. I'll take a free base any day
I like it and I bet a bunch of other teams will adopt it as well. You vacate the left field and you are putting yourself at high risk. So if the batter can't hit away from the shift, shame on him at this level to not be able to.
this is when the coaches need to train their guys to be able to hit into the other field. Make it where their guys keeps on hitting the same field all the time until they do this and then hit it in the other field. Doesn't matter if they are right or left handed hitters.
Pretty soon they will have a rule that if a batter cant hit a curve ball the pitcher is not allowed to throw a curve ball to that batter.
I had zero problem with the shift. In my opinion, you have one pitcher, one catcher and 7 fielders.. if you want to put all 7 on first base, you should be allowed to do it. if you want to put all 7 in left field, you should be allowed to do it.
They should be able to stand where ever they want. If the batter is able to get a ball to the left, it's an infield HR.
Ball hit to left field
Coach "Well Womp Womp "
Yes it is absolutely fair because they’re sacrificing a left fielder. If the hitter can hit the ball to left he’s gonna be running for awhile. It’s an interesting move by the Sox
If more batters who truly have less home run ability would study the Pete Rose style of batting. Not one team would try the shift on Pete. He definitely picked the spot 75% that he thought would work best for the team and Pete.
Crazy. I was just thinking about this a week ago. “Why doesn’t the LF go into shallow Right? He’s not an Infielder.”
“Is this loop hole fair”… yeah because any team can do it if they want to. No one has an inherent advantage.
Personally l like the shift. It creates additional strategy to the game and forces guys to learn to be more dynamic hitters. I think a lot of fans share my point of view but MLB seems to think all we want to see are HR’s and K’s.
Idgaf if it's fair, if it's legal, it's legal. It's up to MLB to close loopholes. It's up to players and coaches to find them and exploit them to their advantage.
There should never have been a ban on the shift in the first place. Keep baseball the way it has been played for the last 100’s of years and let teams line up where they want. A
If only there was a way for a batter to hit away from the shift. Could you imagine if a left handed batter hit the ball to an empty left field! Unimaginable though
The _"no shift"_ rule is stupid! MLB wants left handed pull hitters to hit home runs, so they make it easier for them to mis-hit (anything but a HR) and be safe.
Professional hitters should be able to exploit the shift super easy.
This is 100% fair. You’re a freaking professional baseball player who gets paid millions. Learn to hit where there isn’t a defender.
To answer the question asked in the video, of course it's fair. Since every team can do it, and every team can see who else is doing it, there is nothing unfair about this strategy. "Unfair" would be things that amount to cheating, not trying new strategies.