Major League Baseball to test anti-shift rules in the minor leagues this season (yahoo.com). This could be interesting. I like the concept of requiring the infielders to be stationed on the dirt - lots of LH sluggers (Joey Gallo, for one) lose potential singles because the 2B is in short fight field to catch the hard-hit grounder and turn it into an out at first. BTW, Gallo reached 100 career HR before he reached 100 career singles. I also like the concept of the 15-second pitch clock. That would definitely speed the game. We'll have to see if the two-pickoff-throw limit actually increases stolen base attempts.
If a manager wants to put all 9 players on one side of the field he should have that prerogative. Baseball is a game of skill. You hit the ball where the defense isn't so I am fine with the shifting. A short clock and limiting pick-off throws are ok with me. One of the consequences of limiting pick-off throws will make having a good catcher imperative.
I am on board with pitch clock but as for shift that is 100% something they need to leave alone. The way to beat the shift is to hit it where they ain’t, your a major leaguer not a one trick pony hit to more than one side. Any shift means huge swaths of empty space to hit to, if they can’t do it, that’s on the batter.
Thinking on shift issue, will that extend to pulling in the infield to cut off run or to field a bunt. Once you force someone to one spot how do you account for all times they would move for other situations.
