In the coming years, baseball will go through many rule changes in attempt to speed up the pace of play. One idea that has been floating around is limiting the amount of relief pitchers per game. This suggestion stems from time delays due to mid-inning pitching changes and constant matchup adjustments.
I’ve seen a few variations of how this could work, including limiting the amount of relief pitchers to three per game, only using one pitcher per inning, using one pitcher per every three batters, etc.
I have three major issues with these suggestions: Player Safety, Strategy Loss and Lead Risk.
Player Safety:
Player safety should be a primary focus of the game. If a pitcher is having a rough game and lacking command, this is dangerous for both him and the batter. If he can’t adjust and find the zone, he should not be forced to stay in the game.
Strategy Loss:
I find timing of pitching changes to be one of the more interesting components of baseball because it causes a ripple effect that lasts the remainder of the game. Managers make this decision based on other available relievers, lefty/righty matchups, and analytics. Switching pitchers for better matchups is an exciting strategic component of the game because it is a risk. Once the pitcher is removed, there is no turning back, and sometimes playing matchups too often can backfire. I fear that by limiting relief pitchers, this component of the game would be lost.
Alternatively, limiting relievers does introduce a different kind of strategy, depending on how it is implemented. I see two possible strategic outcomes in response to the potential rule change.
The first is keeping starters in the game longer. This may be risky because when batters see a pitcher for a third time, their success rate off him increases significantly.
The second is developing relief pitchers to work multiple innings. While the majority of teams currently have bulk guys, if a manager is only allowed three relief pitchers per game, multiple relief pitchers will have to be able to handle 2-3 innings. Multiple pitchers on each team will have to make this adjustment to allow for proper rest time between games.
Lead Risk:
If teams are forced to keep in a pitcher, it is putting the score at risk, especially in tight games. I can’t even imagine how frustrated I would be if my pitcher was giving up hit after hit, and there was nothing my team could do about it.
One half inning could blow the game out of control. This is bound to happen, as a pitcher is going to be off every so often, especially on teams that rely more on their offensive abilities than their pitching to win. And should a pitcher be struggling to get an out, game time would be further extended.
How it could work:
Let me start by saying that I don’t want to see any limitations on relievers. That being said, I understand that mid-inning pitching changes can be annoying, particularly for more casual baseball fans. So I gave it some thought, and propose a potential rule change I might be on board with:
General Rule: A new pitcher must start at the beginning of the inning and must be left in for the inning’s duration.
Exception: If an at-bat results in a home run, walk (non-intentional), HBP, or a runner in scoring position (due to a hit, HBP, or non-intentional walk), a pitching change is permitted.
What this rule does is allow managers to continue strategic planning without forcing a game to get out of control.
It also preserves some of the traditional strategy of the game. Managers still have the freedom to remove their pitchers and play match-ups if things don’t go as hoped.
Some things to note:
I did not permit a pitching change after a runner getting into scoring position by stealing because I feel that introduces another strategic component that could further drift the game away from the traditional. Movement on the base paths may be hindered if a team wants to prevent the opposition from making a pitching change.
Similar reasoning applies to the potential use of intentional walks to allow for a pitching change. Teams may opt to intentionally walk a player just to allow for a pitching change.
Limiting relievers may become a rule in the next few years, but my only hope is that it is implemented right, and preserves the traditional game of baseball as much as possible.
What are your thoughts on limiting relievers?
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