would baseball be more "interesting" if you scored each time you safely reached base?

[whattaguy]

we should change the warning track to a moat with man-eating bass.

 

[gimmewhitecastles]

you want more scoring? watch softball. same rules but with only underhanded pitching.

or get cheerleaders like the other sports and introduce sex to kids at younger ages.

 

[DrPizza]

I don't think it's possible to make baseball interesting

Instead of using the current baseballs, make larger baseball parks. Use giant bouncy balls instead - balls that are just slightly smaller than regular baseballs. Pop flies would be in the air 20 seconds!

But wait! There's more. There's no need to slow the game down by 2 or 3 seconds every time the catcher has to throw a ball back to the pitcher. Install a little chute coming out of the ground that feeds balls to the pitcher. Every time the catcher catches a ball, it's tossed aside. After the game, the used balls are given out to children attending the game.

But, that's not all! Exploding balls! Randomly, some of the balls will be made so that they feel identical on the outside to a real ball, but when a bat contacts them, they burst into a fine powder (like the trick golf balls.) These moments can be compared to the *exciting* moments on most game shows when the contestant randomly picks the daily double (or whatever secret spot there is.) The bursting ball is either worth +5 runs, or -5 runs.

 

[Platypus]

Instead of using the current baseballs, make larger baseball parks. Use giant bouncy balls instead - balls that are just slightly smaller than regular baseballs. Pop flies would be in the air 20 seconds!

But wait! There's more. There's no need to slow the game down by 2 or 3 seconds every time the catcher has to throw a ball back to the pitcher. Install a little chute coming out of the ground that feeds balls to the pitcher. Every time the catcher catches a ball, it's tossed aside. After the game, the used balls are given out to children attending the game.

But, that's not all! Exploding balls! Randomly, some of the balls will be made so that they feel identical on the outside to a real ball, but when a bat contacts them, they burst into a fine powder (like the trick golf balls.) These moments can be compared to the *exciting* moments on most game shows when the contestant randomly picks the daily double (or whatever secret spot there is.) The bursting ball is either worth +5 runs, or -5 runs.

I prefer Pro Thunderball.

 

[darkxshade]

Instead of using the current baseballs, make larger baseball parks. Use giant bouncy balls instead - balls that are just slightly smaller than regular baseballs. Pop flies would be in the air 20 seconds!

But wait! There's more. There's no need to slow the game down by 2 or 3 seconds every time the catcher has to throw a ball back to the pitcher. Install a little chute coming out of the ground that feeds balls to the pitcher. Every time the catcher catches a ball, it's tossed aside. After the game, the used balls are given out to children attending the game.

But, that's not all! Exploding balls! Randomly, some of the balls will be made so that they feel identical on the outside to a real ball, but when a bat contacts them, they burst into a fine powder (like the trick golf balls.) These moments can be compared to the *exciting* moments on most game shows when the contestant randomly picks the daily double (or whatever secret spot there is.) The bursting ball is either worth +5 runs, or -5 runs.

oh baseball would be awesome if they used miniature footballs instead of round predictable baseballs :awe:

 

[destrekor]

let me start off by saying that i'm a baseball fan- as opposed to those who say baseball is boring, they stand around doing nothing in the field, the game is so slow, etc.

but i can see where they're coming from. to a casual fan, i can see how it's hard to watch.
there's no way you can turn defense instantly into offense (football, interception leads to a TD, bball a block/steal leads to a fast break dunk, etc.).
scoring is pretty difficult, which makes comebacks hard. if you're down 3 or more runs in the 9th, the game is basically over.

so what if you were awarded a point for each time you safely reached a base. so a single/walk/HBP/SB/balk is worth 1 "run", a double is worth 2, a triple = 3, HR = 4.

the game changes instantly. scoring will dramatically increase and small ball will be favored. there's going to be much more action and (different) strategies, and comebacks will be much easier. the game won't be as stagnant as it is now and should attract more fans.

obviously this is hypothetical. or should be a new sport.

Only if you can clothesline baserunners

What y'all are looking for, I shall trademark:
XLB - Extreme League Baseball, or maybe XPB - Extreme Professional Baseball?... hmm, the choices, the choices. I just figure XBL could be an issue, since it's like the common Xbox Live abbreviation.

What is this Extreme Baseball, you say?

Every base earned by a batter will count as a run. [Calling it a point would be ridiculous, this is still baseball]

If a batter hits, the number of bases he earns will be tallied in the Potential runs column. If he hits for 2B, his hit adds 2 runs. If he hits a long ball, his hit will add 4.

Additional bases reached as a runner are not scored, except when a runner scores a run at the plate. This will again be tallied for 4.

Total scoring situations then include how many bases a batter earns on a hit, and all moments someone reaches the plate.

Where things get dirty, are when a player has a ball and is near a runner. The only way a runner can be tagged out is when the runner is on the ground; defense has the option of tackling runners, or touching the bag on a force. The only fielder that can tackle a runner is the player with the ball.
When a runner encounters a fielder with the ball, the runner can leave the base path. However, whenever this occurs any runners behind him cannot advance past the base the lead runner is attempting to earn, and the lead runner can retreat to a previously touched base (in order, like regular base-running) in the event the previous base has not been taken by a trailing runner.
The runners, however, can elect to pass the lead runner, but this is effectively a sacrifice situation as the lead runner is automatically out - however this can backfire because the fielder with the ball can still tackle the sacrificed player. If the sacrificed runner is tackled before the new lead-runner can reach the base previously contended for by the sacrificed runner, then both the new lead-runner and sacrificed runner are out. As such, this sacrifice can only be performed when there are less than 2 outs. If a runner advances past another runner on 2 outs, this is an automatic out and end of the half.

In this league, here is a potential box score for an inning:

Team 1:
-A hits for 2B.
-B pops up.
-C hits for 1B in right, A advances to 3rd.
-D hits toward hole between 6 and 4 (SS and 2B), but results in 6-4 out; meanwhile, A reaches Home and no Hit is awarded due to FC.
-E strikes out.

Team 1's score at the end of the half: 7
(A-2, C-1, A-4)

Team 2:
-A hits for 1B.
-B hits for 1B shallow center; A makes an attempt to reach 3rd, 5 (3B) receives the ball, sets a path to tackle A. A jukes and runs toward shallow Left in an attempt to run around 5. B takes the opportunity of 5 being preoccupied and makes the attempt for 2B. A is not tackled and reaches 3B.
-C hits makes weak contact and hits slowly toward 3B and Pitcher, reaches 1B but no advance by A or B. [bases loaded, 0 out]
-D hits a somewhat shallow-center fly; A tags up and charges for Home, ball is thrown and catcher intercepts, knocks A off the path and toward the back wall. B has managed to start rounding 3rd by this point, and is headed Home. The catcher starts charging hard toward A, but now realizes he can not reach A before B touches the plate. The catcher now runs for B, but B jukes low and left and pushes the catcher off and he shoves up, and manages to reach Home.
-E hits a home-run.
-F is out on a line-drive.

Team 2's score at the end of the inning: 16
(A-1, B-2, C-1, B-4, C-4 & E-4)

That would be a nuts game to watch.

Mind you, I still love and would take regular baseball far more seriously than such a league as the one described above.

It would be like the XFL, done in one or two years. Though MLB might adapt new camera angles or other technology first employed in this Extreme Baseball.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i wouldnt even consider it to be the same game

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Baseball is fine the way it is. The way to help people enjoy the game more is take them to the ballpark. There's a quantum leap in watching a game at the park versus TV and I don't care how big the damn screen is.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Baseball is so yesterday, thunderball has been taking over since 1994. I especially like the "gun circle"

Rules of Thunderball

1. Bring the walls in closer to allow for more home runs. Make home runs worth two points.
2. The outfield is five feet lower than the infield.
3. Instead of one ball, there are three balls, in constant motion.
4. Nine multi-shaped targets with varying point values are placed throughout the infield. A baserunner can attempt to throw his bat at these targets as he rounds the bases.
5. Defenders are allowed to tackle the runners as they round the bases; however, the runner is allowed to keep his bat. (Thunderball players are equipped with full pads and a helmet.)
6. The batter may choose to take six strikes instead of three, but this allows the pitcher one free throw at the batter. A hit by such a throw does not count as a free walk.
7. Honeys and Hounds: Cheerleaders and dogs are allowed to roam the field freely and affect play as they wish. During the seventh inning, however, players are allowed to tackle the Honeys as they please, for bonus strikes.
8. Team mascots will alternate innings driving a Honda Accord anywhere on the field except for the pitcher's mound, the batters box, and the dugout. Players can use this car as part of their offensive or defensive strategies. The Designated Driver rule of the Western Conference modifies this so that rather than an Accord, a Chevrolet is used, driven by a neutral party not affiliated with either team.


Additional Rules (under consideration)

* The Gun Circle - a loaded handgun is placed within a clearly marked circle to be placed ten yards behind second base. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS THE GUN TO BE TOUCHED AT ANY POINT DURING THE GAME.


"We'd rather have a gun in the outfield, than under a mattress where a child could get to it."
-Joe Auxiliary, UCB Director of Health Services

* Each team's pitcher is allowed to throw three ceramic baseballs a game when he so chooses.

 

[Platypus]

Baseball is so yesterday, thunderball has been taking over since 1994. I especially like the "gun circle"

No fair, I already made that ref

 

[BurnItDwn]

No fair, I already made that ref

Indeed you did ... but you didn't explain what thunderball is ... so I figured I'd copy/paste the rules of the game

Shame season three is not likely going to ever be released to DVD....

 

[Numenorean]

The thing about this system, since we're having a discussion on it is that it makes comebacks more likely. Comebacks make for interesting games. Players are often stranded on bases, who knows how much of mlb games would have turned out differently if scoring is based on a per base system.

They would have turned out shitty is what would have happened.

 

[PimpJuice]

Baseball would be better if it weren't around IMO. Due to idiots like McGwire, Bonds, and numerous others, the sport and a lot of its hitting records are now tainted.

Posts would be better if they weren't around IMO. Due to idiots like thegimp03, BlahBlahYouToo, and numerous others, the forum and a lot of threads are now tainted.

 

[SunnyD]

Instead of using the current baseballs, make larger baseball parks. Use giant bouncy balls instead - balls that are just slightly smaller than regular baseballs. Pop flies would be in the air 20 seconds!

But wait! There's more. There's no need to slow the game down by 2 or 3 seconds every time the catcher has to throw a ball back to the pitcher. Install a little chute coming out of the ground that feeds balls to the pitcher. Every time the catcher catches a ball, it's tossed aside. After the game, the used balls are given out to children attending the game.

But, that's not all! Exploding balls! Randomly, some of the balls will be made so that they feel identical on the outside to a real ball, but when a bat contacts them, they burst into a fine powder (like the trick golf balls.) These moments can be compared to the *exciting* moments on most game shows when the contestant randomly picks the daily double (or whatever secret spot there is.) The bursting ball is either worth +5 runs, or -5 runs.

Clever, but I like my idea better.

 

[sandorski]

Optional Direction: The Batter has the option of which direction to run around the Bases. Once making the initial choice he must continue going that direction.

Hell, I just pulled that shit out of my ass and Baseball is already 100&#37 better!

 

[Platypus]

Indeed you did ... but you didn't explain what thunderball is ... so I figured I'd copy/paste the rules of the game

Shame season three is not likely going to ever be released to DVD....

Yeah

I asked Matt Walsh about that in person at one of their shows a few years ago and it's all held up by comedy central's bullshit most likely.

 

[darkxshade]

With these new rules, could make the game more fun by shortening it to 3 innings

 

[DrPizza]

Free beer for the spectators! And, the networks have to film everything (except during commercials.)

 

[SP33Demon]

Every strike should be a run, and every bag = 2 runs. NBA scores ftml

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

The batter should get to keep the bat to defend himself while he runs.

 

[lyssword]

No but half of this forum's sex life would be.

Lol, brilliant

 

[Perknose]

No but half of this forum's sex life would be.

I came in here to post some variation of this, but yours is even funnier!

 

[mwtgg]

I don't think it's possible to make baseball interesting

You shut your whore mouth.

 

[zinfamous]

no, baseball would suck ass if that happened.

Yet you would still start worthless, obnoxious threads.

 

[zinfamous]

Baseball would be better if it weren't around IMO. Due to idiots like McGwire, Bonds, and numerous others, the sport and a lot of its hitting records are now tainted.

nothing is tainted by what any of them did. In fact, nothing they did really is any worse than the scads of blatant, admitted cheaters that entered the HoF before the 50s, and still remain.

steroids is the biggest faux sports scandal that I have lived through.