There has been a lot of discussion recently on two minor topics that at times have big implications in a game: bunts and balks.
MLB and the umpires have agreed to change one of the rules of play. The "fake" throw to third and spin move to pick off a runner at first will become a "balk" if the pitcher's foot remains on the rubber. Currently, a pitcher can use this deceptive pick off play. The players association has yet to agree to the change.
The whole concept of a balk really should be eliminated by a rule change. Runners on the base paths use deception to get bigger leads, get into a pitcher's head about stealing, or disrupting the rhythm of pitcher. Deception should go both ways. If a pitcher can get a runner leaning off first by twisting his release like a magician beyond the 45 degree angle leg kick toward home, let him pick off the runner.
The current balk rule is too subjective to have consistent application. Some former major league pitchers admit that just about every good move to first is a balk. It has to be to have any chance to pick off the runner.
Calling a balk on a pitcher has a dramatic effect in a game. It advances a runner, and makes the pitcher steam. It throws adversarial nature of manager against umpire.
The second aspect of the game should be the simplest to execute. The bunt. Now, excuse makers call it "the art of bunting." It is not an art, but a skill. A skill apparently lost to most major leaguers.
Sveum emphasized bunting in spring training. He had a huge bunting tournament to get his players better bunters. Sveum loves to call bunts. Including at strange times like last night's game where Castro, your best hitter, was called upon to move runners on first and second with a sacrifice with no outs. Yes, that makes no sense.
A sacrifice bunt is a simple out. The batter must turn to face the pitcher, choke down on the bat, crouch down and level the bat across his chest over the plate. As the pitch comes in, you don't swing the bat, you merely raise or lower the barrel to make contact. The defense knows a proper bunt is coming and calls their own infield wheel plays to try to get a lead runner. A good bunter can direct the bunt to either side to force the defense to throw to first.
The mental side of bunting to a modern player is the kiss of death. It does not help the player's stats, which is the key to their long term big bonus contracts. Chicks dig the home run (remember that slogan?) Hitters want to hit, not advance runners. There is no incentive for hitters to become good bunters. So the vast majority of players are bad bunters.
In the late 1800s, in the dead ball era, bunting for base hits and stolen bases (speed was more important than home runs) were the keys to winning low scoring games. The modern game will never go back to the simplicity of that old era. Technology and training have developed a more power game: power pitchers and power hitters. The duel between pitcher and batter is what most fans want to see.
But then again, all fans want to see their team win. And to win close games, a manufactured run via sacrifice bunt or a suicide squeeze play is becoming a lost skill set.
