Baseball is changing.
New rules are going into effect with other parts of the game becoming a thing of the past.
Next season, MLB will look much different, with the shift being banned, a pitch clock installed, and the bases being much larger in comparison to how they are now.
There’s even a new rule being put into place this year referred to as the “Shohei Ohtani Rule,” which states that if a starting pitcher is in the starting lineup, in this case, Ohtani, he can remain in the game as the designated hitter even if he’s pulled from his start.
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado had a funny take on the new rules that are going into place this year, stating that he believes he should have his own rule if Ohtani can have his.
"Shohei Ohtani has a rule, why can't I have a rule?"
– Manny Machado to @BenAndWoods on banning the shift
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) March 23, 2022
Is Machado Wrong?
Machado has a point.
He’s not wrong here.
If Ohtani has his own rule, why can’t Machado?
Machado was speaking mainly about banning the shift.
Why can’t this be a rule for Machado?
Who says we can’t have a “Manny Machado rule?”
It is clear that baseball is going to be a lot different going forward with these new rules.
We may see some more hits and some more action with the shift being banned next year, as the shift is designed to help the fielders play contact off the bat perfectly and be in the right position in order to make the play and prevent the hit.
But most players are completely in favor of banning the shift and believe that it will generate more action in the game.
But Machado is right.
If Ohtani gets his own rule, why can’t he?
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