Bob Costas talks New Rules in Baseball

Bob Costas and Brian Kenny debate some of the new rules around the league on MLB Now's daily edition of "The Showdown".

[@andrewriggs9808]

I’ve watched more baseball this season than all of last season. I love it!

[@jayseaborg3895]

More steals, higher averages, more runs per game and almost 40 minutes shorter? Why would anyone hate that?

[@a.c.m.2336]

If I see Bob Costas, I watch and learn

[@willzsportscards]

Roboumps can't get here soon enough. Drives me nuts to see pitches 8 inches out of the zone called for strikes.

[@9999bigb]

Bob should be the commissioner of baseball.

[@juicicles5881]

Football. Let baseball have Theo Epstein

[@bartstarr100]

Mike Hargrove- The Human Rain Delay. One of the best nicknames.

[@SwordHMX]

Nomar Garciaparra was even more extreme. It was fun when he was the only abuser.

[@garygemmell3488]

After more than 3k games called as a baseball umpire, fastpitch umpire, and football official I can honestly say that there are two ways to call rules such as the pitch clock. By the absolute letter of the rule or by the spirit of the rule. The key is knowing when to apply either philosophy.

[@thomasconnors7511]

Was skeptical about this new rule. I've watched more early season baseball in years. Games are shorter in time. 🙂

[@andrewriggs9808]

Me too!

[@juicicles5881]

I agree with Bob. The robot ump takes away framing. It is definitely one of the most interesting things in baseball. Mike Minor and Lance Lynn were in the cy young conversation, for only one year. Jeff Mathis stole them so many strikes... And yeah, it's fun to see the interactions between players and Umps. It's not a smart move to argue balls and strikes. You will get tossed and then you can't help your team. It is pretty entertaining when it happens. Baseball is a VERY emotional game and taking that away stinks

[@coachcraven8279]

Yeah, I like the "art" (for lack of a better word) of framing. It's one of those subtle things about baseball that makes it fun.

[@ryanolson2308]

@@coachcraven8279 correct calls>framing

[@drizzle452]

It’s also a made-up art based on speculation…speculation on whether or not the ump would have called the pitch a ball or a strike. There’s absolutely no mathematical computation that can assume an ump is being manipulated by a catcher because sometimes…umps just miss calls. And then there’s the problem of Yosmani Grandal catchers-frame-focused catchers forgetting the need to sell out to block pitches (which equates to multiple pitches lost in the zone when you allow runners 90 more feet). It’s such an over-thought focus for baseball “smart guys.”

[@ryanolson2308]

@@drizzle452 great point on the umps not being perfect so we can even truly quantify which strikes were “stolen”

[@willzsportscards]

Framing would be fine if it bought you 1-2 inches off the zone. When umps are calling things 9 inches out though, to me that's a super turn off. I don't want to see a star hitter punished for having a good eye.

[@brettlawlor8921]

You can keep the shift ban, you can keep the bigger bases, you can keep the universal dh, you can keep expanded playoffs, you can keep the juiced baseballs, and you can certainly keep instant replay. You can have the robo umps too (I think human umpires could simply just be held more accountable and penalized like everyone else but that's a conversation for another time). The ONE thing I do not care for the game to keep is an arbitrary timekeeping (I'm referring to the pitch clock) in a timeless sport. By all means, have the increased amount of base hits and runs and stolen bases, but there's no need to rush the players during their approach before the ball is thrown. We're fine with a 3hr12min football game and a 4hr30min round of golf on the first day of the Masters. A 3hr13 minute baseball game shouldn't be an issue, especially with the ever increasing costs to attend.

[@psychodelic1457]

What's the most bullshit is the runner on second after the 9th made extra innings pointless maybe after the 11 or 12 but after the 9th you ruined baseball well never see those epic games they just want they game over with as quick as possible it's asinine

[@rogerweir1772]

Love the new rules! :)

[@stephensilke6752]

Pitch clock awkwardness where pitchers and batters don't know why the umps calling fake balls and strikes, lack of organic throws over to first, fake runner on second, can't even go to the concession stand or to the bathroom without missing parts of the game. Garbage. Why are people who hate baseball changing the game for other people who hate baseball?

[@2011Cape]

Sorry, Bob… you’re making the game longer again by introducing ball/strike challenges.

[@nicks7690]

I’ll never forget that one time Bob Costas wiped his ass with his face and got pink eye during the Olympics. So dirty.

[@charlesraspa782]

One thing they didn't talk about is the beer league idiotic extra innings rule

[@jpmel1]

Exactly how MUCH speed does Brian Kenny take?, Jesus dude, dial it back.

[@Sportsscuttlebutt1]

Speed???

[@eighteight4612]

He’s just passionate about baseball… at least someone is

[@MarshallHendrix-nx2gg]

He is the most annoying host because he always makes it about himself and what HE thinks.

[@jpmel1]

@@Sportsscuttlebutt1 Lemme guess you're under 30? Ya, SPEED, Amphetamines, greenies, black beauties. Google is your friend buddy. Use it.

[@ItachiUchiha-ns1il]

Of course mlb network’s stooges will support the league’s own changes.

[@kikojohnson2094]

Biger bases. Ok. Shift restriction? Messes with strategy. Timer? A disaster. Baseball wasnt meant to have a clock. Totally disrupt the game.

[@yzerman123]

If you start adding exceptions for "great ABs", it reeks of arbitrariness and even favoritism for some athletes over others.

[@2011Cape]

PLEASE do not be lenient on the clock 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@tubenachos]

Bob trying to look hard like he's still 30, dude aged

[@wishunter9000]

Damn, he’s old…..

[@larata9]

They literally pay this guy to fo nothing

[@LilBoiPeep69]

bob is an elitist. he is a divider and not a uniter. he needs to be gone.

[@sultanofswat9382]

I didn’t know Costas was a little bigger than a baby as he sits on that seat

[@stevemeters3090]

he escaped from the Keebler tree. he's an elvin political dissident, cookie exile..

[@xlargetophat]

What a joke