Major League Baseball recently reached out to me to put together a proposal to fix the controversy caused by the rule, which started in 2020, that adds a runner on second to start each extra inning (the “Manfred Man,” as named by Craig Calcaterra). (EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a lie. MLB could care less what Tom thinks, and generally speaking, doesn’t care very much what any fan thinks.) (TOM’S NOTE: The preceding note is also a lie; I don’t have an editor.)
I concede that the diminished pitch counts for modern pitchers can make it difficult when a game goes into extended extra innings. Teams don’t want to burn up their entire bullpen, or even have a position player end up having to finish a game that actually matters, so it’s reasonable to think that some sort of rule that might bring a lengthy game to an earlier conclusion is needed. But altering the rules immediately following the regulation number of innings (whether that’s the normal nine or the shortened seven used in doubleheaders these days) is too soon. Both soccer and hockey play at least a short overtime before using a shootout to settle things, although hockey does gimmick things up a bit by playing with three skaters instead of five to open up the ice.
Anyway, here’s my proposal:
- In the 10th and 11th innings, play normal baseball.
- The 12th and 13th innings, add the runner on second at the start of each half-inning.
- Each inning after the 13th, start a runner on second – and ban infield shifts. Two infielders on each side of second base, and they may not be positioned in the outfield.
Additionally, if the half-inning starts with a runner on second, the team in the field may not intentionally walk a batter until the runner on second moves up at least to third (or is retired). They can pitch around batters, of course, issuing the old “unintentional intentional walk,” but can’t ask for the automatic pass.
This would give us one or two traditional extra innings, then add elements to bring the game to a conclusion. For all of the flaws in the Manfred Man rule, at least they’re playing baseball and not deciding who wins with what amounts to a skills contest, which is what a shootout is.
Because I like hockey’s 3-on-3 overtime during the regular season, an alternative idea would be to reduce the number of fielders in extra innings: 8 in the 10th and 11th; 7 in the 12th and 13th; and so on.
Also, seven inning games in doubleheaders are horseshit.
You’re welcome.