https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DXpzucHV4AEHysH.jpg


The biggest complaint by non-baseball fans is that the game is flat out boring. Fine, I get that. If strategy and tension with chess like attack and defense like moves aren’t your thing then go away this game isn’t for you. But that’s who Rob Manfred is seemingly targeting with he keeps bringing up pace of play.

 

The game needs to be faster is Manfred’s mantra and he is attacking it at a violent speed. Some issues like the clock between innings was a good call and batters keeping one foot in the box was another smart move but there are a plethora of other eye rollers that have come out of the wood works.

 

Sure there are real slogs like any in the Boston/New York series but those are generally the exceptions.  I’d like to see how much the fast no pitch intentional walk sped up the game. Maybe MLB could consider stop juicing the baseballs as the evidence now proves they did. Homers were hit at a historic pace last year. The game slows down a  lot when everyone is making a round trip and the ensuing call to the bullpen.

 

No, chicks dig the long ball. Look somewhere else. Wait, I got it! Bullpen carts! A yesteryear gimmick is being introduced again to speed up the game. Frankly, I didn’t know they existed until I saw an old photo of a Yankee getting out of a Cadillac. Kinda crazy.

 

How much do you think this will speed up the game? A pitcher with his adrenaline going jogs 350 maybe 400 feet? But now, a cart that can muster a few more RPMs without tearing up the grass will drop you off, saving mere seconds. Hooray the game is saved!

 

I can’t wait for the moment when some grounds crew member makes the Top 10 highlights when there isn’t any gas in the cart or it won’t start and the pitcher gets fined for abandoning the routine.