I’d like to think that I am up to date about the goings on in MLB as I have been a fan since 1954. I watch the Baseball Network on a daily basis to monitor player movements and other developments. However, Commissioner Rob Manfred’s proposed “golden at bat” rule change has me bewildered. MLB has in the last three years, sped up the game with pitch clocks, a runner on second base to start each extra inning regular season game, and relievers having to pitch to at least three batters before they can be removed from the game. Also a balk call with the third unsuccessful pick off throw by pitchers to hold the runner close is now in the book. Those new rules have sped up the Great American Pastime recently, and were probably necessary.

Now, if I read this right, a one time move would be to allow any hitter on the team at bat to bat out of order once in a crucial situation. So let’s say for example that the Dodgers are at bat in the ninth inning in a tie game and Ohtani doubles with one out in the inning off a new relief pitcher and the next batter is intentionally walked to set up the double play. So this reliever who faced Ohtani once already has to pitch to him again? Remember that this reliever has to face three hitters minimum, which would mean that Ohtani would have to come in from second base to hit again with a pinch runner to replace him at second base. Then, if the pitcher intentionally walks Ohtani. What happens then? The Dodgers already sent out a pinch runner for him which means that Ohtani ‘s out of the game now, right? That can turn into a quagmire of possibilities that would turn a now even-paced game into a slower game.

If these cell phone slaves in the younger generation who all suffer from ADHD think baseball is too slow with not enough action, let them check out outdoor soccer. Ask MLB who lost bundles financing major league soccer in the 1970’s. I was always a sports fan and I was curious as to how outdoor soccer would be to watch. I vividly remember the Baltimore Bays of the NASL playing a top flight team, the Oakland Clippers, at the old Memorial Stadium. We were slightly late, and as we walked up the ramp to our seats we heard a roar. The Bays scored a goal. We sat for the next 88 minutes watching only a total of 5 shots on goal by both teams. Possession of the ball seemed to be virtually meaningless, and I found that game to be slower than erosion. That is what most people, young and old, have in the remainder of the world get to watch for their sports fix. Those people in foreign countries all have smart phones and limited attention spans. However, those soccer stadiums are packed all around the world. You don’t hear them complaining, do you?

Unfortunately, trashing baseball with this proposed swamp of possibilities will truly slow the game down, and not speed it up. Then why don’t we cut to the chase and have Gunnar Henderson, Judge, Ohtani, Soto, Witt Jr. and all of the great hitters become designated to take every at bat? Use the roster of fielders as pinch runners for them and have all baseball games be pitcher’s duels at 23-19? Then, the games would last forever and runs scored would have little value.

Manfred has to go! He’s talking about making a simple beautiful game with matchups, strategy, etc. and turning it into pure fertilizer. Mel Tansill, bravo!

— George Hammerbacher, Baltimore