I miss the days of pitching duels. MLB shrinking the strike zone was pretty much the end for any entertainment value the game had to offer.
What was the purpose of that and why did you prefer it before?
MLB wanted to make it easier for batters to make big plays and therefore “mOaR exCitiNg” for fans. However, it also makes the games drag on interminably as both teams rack up more runs and this turns to extended innings.
The old pitcher’s duel, on the other hand, was a strategic battle involving ball placement. By reducing the zone, it grants the pitcher fewer points at which to safely place the ball, meaning that it’s less about ball placement than about ball speed. This means that faster fastballs are far more necessary in the arsenal, which also means the hits will go farther, as well, again driving up the volume of big plays.
Great reply, thank you.
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