Rob Manfred suggests 'Golden-At-Bat' rule in owners meetings.
The MLB commissioner revealed the "Golden At-Bat" rule has been discussed at owners meetings.
Manfred continues to look for ways to spice up Major League Baseball, he apparently is considering a new out-of-the-box idea.
The MLB Commisioner hasn't shied away from considering rule changes over the past few seasons. The league has implemented a pitch clock, a three-batter minimum for pitchers (barring injury), shift limitations base stealing with pickoff limits and larger bases.
MLB and the Players Association also agreed to implement a universal designated hitter in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.
The golden at-bat idea is to allow a team one opportunity to call upon a hitter who is in the lineup but not due for the upcoming at-bat.
It'd be somewhat akin to pinch hitting with a player who is already in the game.
This rule would allow a team to choose one at-bat in every game to use their best hitter regardless of where they're at in the lineup.
So if, say if the Toronto Blue Jays had the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, they could bring Vladimir Guerrero Jr to the plate even if it wasn't his turn in the order. It would be a one-time replacement, not a substitution like a pinch hitter.
«There are a variety of rule changes that are being talked about out there. One of them-there was a little buzz around it at an owners' meeting�said Manfred of the proposed «Golden Bat Rule»
«That rule, and things like that, are in the conversation-only stage right now,» Manfred said.
Manfred has not been shy about exploring different rule changes for baseball, which has drawn criticism for being too slow and, at times, devoid of action.
This fan does not endorse such rules and purists of the game will lose their minds if it gets implemented somehow.
It should be noted that there's nothing to suggest MLB has any plans to test this idea.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 3 | 102 ANSWERS Rob Manfred suggests 'Golden-At-Bat' rule in owners meetings. Do you think the Golden at Bat rule is a good idea? | ||
| Yes | 19 | 18.6 % |
| No? | 83 | 81.4 % |
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