Major League Baseball is reportedly expected to ban the shift in the near future. The decision stems from MLB’s ongoing labor dispute amid the lockout. The league also decided to implement a pitch clock and utilize larger bases.
However, MLB banning the shift will produce the most drastic changes on the game itself. There are plenty of pitchers over the yeas who have been saved by the shift and a significant amount of hitters who have seen their careers derailed because of the shift.
It was not all that long ago that current Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon decided to consistently use the shift during his time in Tampa Bay with the Rays. He would place the shortstop either up the middle of the field or on the second base part of the bag and move the third baseman to where the shortstop would normally play against left-handed pull hitters. This forced pull-hitters to either swing for the fences or risk grounding out since getting a ground ball through the infield against the shift proved to be nearly impossible. It led to the downfall of a number of sluggers careers.
The shift changed the way hitters approached the game as well. Growing up, kids are taught to try to hit the baseball back up the middle. Young players would practice this technique all the way through high school and college. But upon reaching the pro ranks and MLB, they would be faced with the difficult reality that an infielder was almost always standing right behind second base. Pitchers were able to get away with mistakes over the middle of the plate since line drives up the middle were typically caught by the shifted infielder.
But the game might look completely different once the shift is officially banned from baseball.
Left-handed mashers such as the New York Yankees’ Joey Gallo could seen a massive increase in batting average from the rule change. Gallo is the perfect example since he has become the poster boy for the “three true outcome” rule in baseball, which revolves around hitters either hitting a home run, striking out, or taking a walk. He is known as a boom-or-bust player who rarely earns base hits. He posted a batting average of just .199 in 2021 to go along with a league leading 213 strikeouts. On the other hand, Gallo clubbed an impressive 38 home runs. But his value could rise immensely if he is able to turn some of those strikeouts into base hits through the right side or the middle of the infield.
There is no question that banning the shift will cause a change in the game. But it will produce far more entertainment which will ultimately be beneficial for the growth of baseball.
Follow Us
Subscribe