The new proposal would move it back to the top of the knees, where it had been since 1950.
Reds CEO Bob Castellini endorsed the move during the team’s caravan stop in Columbus in January, saying, “Certainly one of the ways that the game would be hastened along by three or four minutes would be to shorten the strike zone as far as we feel like we can, and I think we’re trying to do that.”
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At first blush, raising the strike zone seems like a good idea, but could there be unintended consequences?
It might be as likely – or more – to lengthen games as it is to shorten them, but that would probably be fine with most fans if it is because more runs are scored.
Recent problems with offense are multiple: Pitchers generally armed with better “stuff” have practically gotten too good at pounding the bottom of the strike zone with pitches hitters don’t want to hit, too good at challenging at the top of it – or sometimes both.
Meanwhile, hitters have done their part by appearing plenty eager to fall behind in the count in order to wait for a pitch to drive that may never come.
The trouble with this approach is the strike zone as it is called has grown and the proliferation of more power pitchers has made pitches less hittable in general.
The devaluation of making contact has reduced the action in the game, which is a problem for watchability even if sabrematricians approve.
Would that lower-knee pitch not being a strike anymore lead to pitchers having to challenge and lose more, or will they simply issue more walks? That remains to be seen.
I understand the statistical value of a walk, but in this case I’m thinking more of the entertainment value for the average or casual fan who couldn’t care less about advanced stats.
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If this increases offense it probably won’t shorten games, but that’s ok. I don’t think length of a game is really that big a deal. Pace of play is crucial, and it is trending the wrong way in every major sport but hockey right now.
In baseball, the biggest pace-of-play problem comes from how long the pitcher stares in for a sign and how often the hitter steps out. Unless those things are fixed, nothing much else will change.
Of course, more balls in play would still be a nice change of, well, pace from recent trends.
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