Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros: Baseball returns with some questionable changes

By Karen Watson

LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 01: A detailed view of a pair of official Rawlings Major League Baseball baseballs with the imprinted signature of Robert D. Manfred Jr., the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, sitting in the dugout prior to the Spring Training game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 1, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 01: A detailed view of a pair of official Rawlings Major League Baseball baseballs with the imprinted signature of Robert D. Manfred Jr., the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, sitting in the dugout prior to the Spring Training game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 1, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 10-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: Zack Greinke #21 of the Houston Astros bats against the Washington Nationals in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: Zack Greinke #21 of the Houston Astros bats against the Washington Nationals in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Common DH Rules

Because Spring Training 2.0 will be much shorter, and in an effort to eliminate both fatigue and the potential for injury to pitchers, for the first time in the history of baseball, the NL will have a DH. They’re saying this is only for 2020, but I have a feeling this will catch on.

There will be a good amount of interleague play, and this is one change that I’m super excited about because, to me, watching pitchers hit just makes them look awkward. Of course, I’m sure Zack Greinke has much to say about this rule.

Extra Innings

To me, the most offensive change in place for 2020, even if it is only for regular season play, affects games that run into extra innings. Each half-inning of play past the ninth inning will begin with a runner on second base.

For purposes of the lineup, the baserunner will be the batter who made the final out in the team’s prior half-inning. When said baserunner scores, the run will be scored as an error and the pitcher will not be charged with an earned run.

This rule has already been implemented in the minor leagues and came about in an effort to shorten games in hopes of garnering interest in baseball for new fans to the game. And while I theoretically understand the reasoning behind the rule because it limits time and shortens games, it’s just a weird rule and lacks a true sense of competition.

For me, I hope this rule doesn’t stick. If you’re not already a fan of baseball, this minutely shortened game time is not going to win you over.

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