Major Leagues wants to discuss extensively with players the possibility of changing rules to combat the decrease in the offense and the duration of the games, an initiative that is very likely to find strong resistance in the players union that is still upset by the decline in free agent contracts, which further increases the possibility of a work stoppage at the end of the 2021 campaign.
Commissioner Rob Manfred and the president of the Players Association, Tony Clark, outlined their positions during their separate sessions with the Baseball Writers Association of the United States before the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
"There is a growing consensus, or better yet, an existing consensus among the owners that we should have a very serious conversation about making changes to the way they are playing," said Manfred. "We are not at a point where we can talk about the rules in particular that could be seriously considered, I can tell you what worries people: I think the time between putting the ball into play, the number of strikeouts and, lesser measure, the number of home runs, the importance of special alignments and what caused the game, the use of relievers and the way in which the starters will be used. "
Clark repeatedly argued that players refuse to change as "the protectors of the game."
When the spring fields arrived, more than 100 free agents remained unemployed. Many agreed to contracts for a fraction of the price they thought they were worth or for fewer years than they expected.
"What we experienced last season was a direct attack on free agency, which has been the basis of our economic system, and if that is going to change, then very difficult decisions await us," Clark said.
Between 1972 and 1995 there were eight work stoppages in the Major Leagues, but none since then. The current contract ends in 2021 and Clark left open the possibility of a return of the quarrels.
The high commands are alarmed by what happens in the field. The strikeouts (24,537) are in rhythm to exceed the number of hits (24,314) for the first time. It is also possible that a record number of strikeouts will be imposed for the twelfth consecutive season, and this year's average of 17 per game is a considerable increase at the 12.6 registered in 2005. The current batting average of .247 would be the lowest since 1972.
20,587 special alignments have been made in balls in play, according to Baseball Info Solutions. In a full season, the projection is 34,668 - an increase of 29.8% over last year, and an increase over the 6,882 times that were recorded throughout the 2013 season. That has decreased the batting average as the of the star of the Washington Nationals, who currently has only .214.
And the average attendance of 28,568 is lower than the 30,159 that were recorded on average at this point last year, where the final figure was 30,042. Major Leagues has not been below 30,000 spectators since 2002.
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