Al Yellon created Bleed Cubbie Blue and has been its managing editor since 2005. He's also written three books about the Cubs, the latest is "Chicago Cubs Firsts."
Earlier this week, there was a bit of publicity about a possible "Golden At-Bat" idea floated by Commissioner Rob Manfred.
This idea was justifiably mocked not only in the BCB article linked above, but all over social media.
Other silly ideas for baseball rule changes came across various social media over the last couple of days, including this one:
Which got me thinking: What other ridiculous ideas could we come up with? Things that sound vaguely baseball-ish, but would tear at the fabric of the game as we know it.
Some of the rule changes Manfred has pushed across in his decade as Commissioner have been good. The pitch timer has been fantastic. Restricting defensive shifts has led to some limited success. Limiting pitcher throws to first base to keep runners close, along with larger bases, has led to increases in the running game.
The Golden At-Bat, though: No, just no.
So let's try to come up with rule changes that might sound plausible, but would in the end be utterly ridiculous.
I'll start.
After the fifth inning, if a team is trailing by at least four runs, that team can choose one inning to have as many outs as hits you've allowed so far. Down 9-0 and your pitchers have given up 12 hits? You can have 12 outs for your hitters in any single inning you choose.
Pretty dumb, no? Let's see what you guys can come up with that would be worse.