MLB made progress in fixing on-field product with new CBA limiting shifts and implementing a universal DH, – The Dallas Morning News

On the narrow street in front of the house where we learned to hit up the middle, a scab of concrete served as home plate. There was no place to slide, no fence to scale, no crowd to roar. Only the occasional shout of Car! heightened the action. Between pitches, three houses down from the batter, we stood barefoot just off the curb in the cool, green grass, soothing our soles.

Summer days, wed play until it was time for supper, then wed turn on the lights in the backyard and play some more.

Back then, no one cared how long the games lasted. They never ended, really. Not for those of us who grew up loving them.

Baseball officially returned Thursday from its silly, self-imposed exile, the second-longest work stoppage in the sports history. In many corners, this is unforgivable. Only baseball has so much trouble getting its act together. Certainly the owners and players have done damage, some of it irreparable. You dont continue to inflict this level of greed and arrogance on the public without exacting a steep price. Fool me once, many fans say, shame on you.

Fool me 99 straight days? No chance, pal.

Baseball has real issues that need to be resolved. Too many walks and strikeouts. Not enough action. A hide-bound adherence to the notion that strike zones are the sole property of the umpire who happens to be working behind the plate on any given day.

Of the on-the-field matters, the best thing the owners and players could agree to immediately was a universal designated hitter. My condolences to National League fans mourning the passing of pitchers in the batters box and the ol double switch. No problem here with expanding the playoffs from 10 to 12 teams, either. Anything to speed up the Rangers pursuit of relevance.

As for the rules changes pushed back to 2023?

Thumbs up on banning shifts. Finally. The NFL and NBA have bent over backwards to help offenses in their sports while MLB allowed defenses to slowly strangle the game. All you strict constructionists, take a seat. Most of the stars you grew up following didnt have to face these radical shifts, and even if Ted Williams did and still beat it, he was the greatest hitter who ever lived. Guys like Joey Gallo dont have a chance. Dont tell me that hitters should just learn to hit to the opposite field. Everybody throws 95 or better these days. Theres no time to make mid-swing decisions. Not unless you want everyone to hit like Nathaniel Lowe.

Thumbs up on a pitch clock, which will do more than speed up the game. Pitchers are more effective when they work faster. Crisper paces generally mean crisper defenses, too.

Thumbs down on bigger bases. Theyre kidding, right? Bigger bases? Changing the most hallowed dimensions in sports? Whats next? Bigger baseballs? Geezus.

Everything else eating at players and owners this time around pretty much came down to money and leverage, as usual. Marvin Miller got one over on the owners a half-century ago, and theyve resented it ever since. The players have, in response, staunchly defended their status as the only effective union in sports.

Keeping up with negotiations has been a little like watching congress at work. No ones out for the greater good. Everyone simply wants to win. The fact that the rank-and-file players reportedly rejected that stance by overruling their own representation at Thursdays deadline stands as a fairly remarkable development.

Frankly, Im not even sure who won, but I can tell you who lost: Those of us who still feel a mid-winter spark at the mere mention of pitchers and catchers reporting.

Over my considerable lifetime, the purported stewards of baseball have seemed bent on wringing out any loyalty still remaining. The Astros and Rangers practically made it a mission.

But, even in times like these, when grievances arent worked out, theyre fed and nourished and cultivated, Im still optimistic about sports in general and life in particular. What can I say? The outlook helps when you work in this market.

No matter how many times the hope of spring has faded with the heat and humility of summer, baseball still holds its grip.

Would it help if the Rangers went out this weekend and signed Clayton Kershaw and another starter and maybe a decent outfielder?

Yes, it would, Jon Daniels.

Even so, no matter whos in charge or how much it hurts, you cant quit baseball. No, it isnt the same as it was when I ran barefoot in the streets. Little else even comes close. Thats the lesson. For good or ill, the world keeps changing, but diamonds are forever.

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MLB made progress in fixing on-field product with new CBA limiting shifts and implementing a universal DH, - The Dallas Morning News