(*) Both the League Championship Series & the League Division Series should be a best of seven.
(*) Realignment: The Houston Astros should move from the NL Central Division to the NL West & the Arizona Diamondbacks should move from the NL West to the AL West. Being a NL fan from Texas, it would be [insert cuss word] despicable to have two AL teams & no NL team in TX. Plus it's more geographically correct.
(*) The American League should only be able to use the Designated Hitter during the All-Star Game if they had won the previous World Series.
Note: Why I dislike the DH...
If no players are substituted during a complete inning of play, there should only be a total of 9 players taking the field/batting for each team *not* 10. Sort of Basic.
More MLB Suggestions:
From Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated:
Rule changes that need to happen
Did you see how Tampa Bay beat Boston last night (Sept. 15th)? A ground ball that should have ended the top of the third inning in a scoreless tie could not be caught by Boston shortstop Marco Scutaro because a broken bat was flying at him. A run scored and before you knew it, the Rays were up 4-0. It reminded me of three rule changes that need to be made immediately because they make so much sense:
1. An umpire can rule interference on the batter if his broken bat prevents a fielder from making an otherwise ordinary attempt at the baseball. The batter is ruled out -- in the same way a runner can be called out if the batter impedes the ordinary effort of the catcher to throw to a base on a steal attempt. Fielders shouldn't have to dodge flying objects that might impale them.
2. Pitches that strike any protective arm gear worn by the batter should be ruled a ball, not a hit batsman. It's easy to dive into pitches and hang over the strike zone when you're wearing armor. You should not be rewarded for it.
3. September rosters can be expanded to as many as 40 players, but game rosters shall remain at 25. Three hours before first pitch, each team must submit a list of 25 players eligible for that particular game -- that way you could, for instance, drop three starting pitchers not available that night and add three extra players. Let's stop such nonsense as playing 38 vs. 27 in pennant race games.
Incorrect Information:
Earned Run Average (ERA)The earned run average measures pitching performance. The number represents the average number of runs a pitcher gives up in nine innings. An earned run is any run scored off a specific pitcher. Runs scored as the result of an error do not count as earned runs because they are not considered to be the pitcher's fault. The other team must "earn" the run for it to be counted in the ERA.
ERA is calculated by:
ERA = number of runs earned by the other team/number of innings pitched x 9
For example, if a pitcher gives up 18 earned runs in his first 60 innings:
ERA = 18 (runs earned by the other team)/60 (innings he pitched) x 9 = 2.70 runs per inning" <--incorrect, should be 2.70 runs per 9 innings
From the Baseball Field Guide
An in-depth illustrated guided to the complete rules of baseball
by Dan Formosa & Paul Hamburger
Page 228
published 2006, Avalon Publishing Group
Humor: Female Fans vs. Male Fans (**)
WandaWoman: "We care about Cole Hamel's butt & stance."
Guys: "We only care about his left arm."
Note: Jayson Werth is the Uggs Boots of Major League Baseball... Women love him & Guys don't really understand the attraction.
(**) Conversation at Julie's Corner Bar early afternoon Saturday (Sept. 24th)