As negotiations between MLB and MLBPA dragged on deep into the night yesterday, more issues than just the next CBA were discussed.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman tweeted that several other issues were being discussed in addition to the main ones that have been holding up progress on a new deal.
Heyman noted that among the topics discussed was potentially putting limits on the defensive shift.
Heyman also mentioned that the two sides were pretty much hitting on every possible issue involved with baseball as it stands now, and he notes that adding some extra talking points to the discussion may not be a bad thing.
Shift restrictions have entered the discussion. MLB and players are hitting on everything, which may not be a bad sign.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 1, 2022
Will They Limit The Shift?
The shift has been a topic of debate for several years now.
Several players and fans have long wanted restrictions on the shift, and their wishes might just come true.
MLB has been looking into this for some time, seeing as it may be one of the reasons why the game is moving slower, and games are lasting almost up to four or five hours.
It wouldn’t be a bad thing to see some changes here.
In fact, it would probably be a good thing to see some restrictions implemented on the shift.
Some argue that all hitters need to do to avoid hitting into the shift is make some simple adjustments and find ways to beat it, and they’re correct, partially.
Fans want to see hitters take big hacks and not bunt just to beat the shift.
The game is more exciting that way.
The exaggerated shift is one of the reasons that fans have been turning away from the sport, and if some restrictions are put in place, it might just draw some fans back to the sport.
