Manfred’s office has been actively seeking ways to stimulate offense, installing several rule changes in the minors. The negotiations, Manfred said, offer a chance to reimagine the sport and “restore it to being played in a way that is closer to what many of us have enjoyed historically. What we play today won’t look all that much like 1971. The question is: Which version would you like to get to?”Recent innovations brought on by the pandemic, he said, are unlikely to last. Extra-inning games have started with a runner on second base for the past two seasons, and games played as parts of doubleheaders have lasted only seven innings each.

Source: New York Times July 13, 2021 22:56 UTC