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Trust Manfred to Keep MLB's Golden At-Bat Rule in Check

2024-12-04

Image credit: Rob Manfred (Photo by Michael Owens/MLB Photos via Getty Images)If you haven't been keeping up with the latest buzz in the baseball world, the "Golden At-Bat" rule proposal is definitely something you need to know about. Under this proposed rule, teams would have the unique opportunity to bring any player to the plate at any time during a game, regardless of their batting order. For instance, imagine Bobby Witt Jr. not being scheduled to bat in the ninth inning of a one-run game. With the Golden At-Bat, the Royals could strategically use this rule to get him in the batter's box. This idea was initially brought up by commissioner Rob Manfred in a podcast interview with Puck's John Ourand, and it has since been expanded upon by Jayson Stark at The Athletic.

Why the "Golden At-Bat" is a Bad Idea

While the concept of being able to bring up a batter out of order may seem appealing on the surface, a closer look reveals its flaws. It completely disrupts the very fabric of baseball. It becomes a gimmick that introduces a multitude of problems for the game's mechanics. Instead of allowing the natural flow of the game to unfold, it artificially adds drama in a way that undermines the essence of baseball.All of a sudden, the game takes on a whole new dimension. Consider Aaron Judge's 80-home run season. If he were to get an extra 160 plate appearances due to the Golden At-Bat, does that season hold the same significance? Similarly, when a player hits four home runs in a game or achieves a cycle, the added artificiality of an extra ninth-inning at-bat dilutes the impact. And what about the reward for striking out Shohei Ohtani in a crucial moment? Should he get a second chance to face Ohtani? These are just some of the questions that arise when considering the "Golden At-Bat."It's clear that this is a bad idea. Basketball doesn't have a magic 20-point spot to make comebacks easier, and football doesn't make onside kicks a breeze. Baseball has always maintained its integrity by not allowing teams to artificially manipulate the best hitter to the plate in critical situations. Once you do that, you diminish the importance of lineup construction and other strategic aspects of the game.

Why the "Golden At-Bat" Won't Happen

There are several reasons why the "Golden At-Bat" is unlikely to become a reality. MLB is a group that doesn't make on-field changes lightly. They undergo months or even years of trial and error before implementing any major changes. With the Golden At-Bat, there have been no such trials.For example, MLB has been looking at robo-umps for years. The concept was first tested in the Atlantic League in 2019 and then brought to the affiliated minors in 2021. It has been tweaked and modified countless times over the past six seasons, but it still isn't ready for the major leagues. When a challenge system finally makes its way to the majors, it will be done in a way that seamlessly integrates into the game rather than causing a major upheaval.Baseball has also been cautious when it comes to other rule changes. Bigger bases were tested in the minors before being introduced to the majors. The shift rules were tried in multiple combinations in the minors over several years before being deemed ready. The pitch clock started in the minors in the mid-2010s, and all the kinks were worked out at the MiLB level before it came to the majors. Even the "Manfred Man" baserunner in extra-inning regular season games was first trialed in the minors.Baseball fans are known for their attachment to the game's traditions. Rules need to be added or tweaked carefully to maintain the balance of the game. So far, the changes made by Manfred and his team at the major league level can be seen as minor tweaks rather than massive alterations. Many of these changes have actually brought the game back to its roots.The pitch clock, for example, has helped restore the game's pace, which was lost in the 2000s and 2010s. The shift rules and the three-batters faced rule have refocused attention on athleticism and reduced the dominance of eight-pitcher bullpens. The rule changes to encourage stolen bases have brought back an exciting aspect that had been missing.When it comes to major on-field changes, baseball has been cautious. They have considered bigger changes like moving the mound back, but when they tested them in the Atlantic League, they quickly realized the benefits were minimal and not worth completely changing the game.The "Golden At-Bat" would be a massive departure from the game's traditional structure. While it may be a topic of discussion, it's unlikely to ever make it to the major leagues. If it were to happen, it would be preceded by extensive trials at other levels, and those trials would likely show that it's a change that isn't worth pursuing further.