MLB
Major League Baseball Is Continuously Looking For Ways To Improve The Game, One Idea That May Satisfy Fans Is Eliminating The Shift
A recent article from the San Diego Tribune discussed many problems currently facing the game of baseball at the major league level. One element discussed in particular that caught my attention was the idea to eliminate the shift.
Commonly used against left-handed hitters (or anyone) that pulls the ball, the shift helps cut down on base hits.
Basically, it eliminates offensive production.
The Question That Needs To Be Asked; Should the MLB Eliminate the Shift?
According to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, in just ten years the game has gone from seeing 2,500 pitches a year with the shift to now over 36,000.
That increase looks absurd just based on the numbers alone.
With the shift eliminating hits, it is thus lowering the batting averages of hitters.
According to the article mentioned earlier, going July 21st, there were a total of 25 batting .300 or better.
But are players batting averages the problem here?
No.
However, where the problem lies is in the fact that it’s taking away action from the game.
And that (like Ron Burgundy) is kind of a big deal.
As many have probably heard at some point in recent years, baseball is quickly declining in popularity.
According to a Forbes.com article, last season baseball attendance dipped below 73 million for the first time since
A MarketWatch.com article mentions that baseball has the oldest viewership out of any of the major sports with half of its viewers being over 55 years-old.
What does this mean?
That baseball is having trouble reaching the almighty millennials.
At this rate is not crazy to suggest the sport could go completely extinct in the next decade or two.
So what’s something baseball could do to ensure more action which is an essential element to Millennial entertainment?
You guessed it!
Eliminate the shift!
It’s just solely in the games best interest at this point.
