MLB: Can Banana Ball change baseball for good?

ISUCyclones2015

Doesn't wipe standing up
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2010
13,958
9,466
113
Chicago, IL
Would you watch?



h8B8eOJ.png


1. Every Inning Counts.
The team that scores the most runs in an inning gets a point.
The first team to five points wins the game.
The inning is over once the home team takes a lead or three outs are recorded on the home team.

2. Two Hour Time Limit.
No inning will start after the two-hour point. If a team has not reached 5 points, the game will go to a Showdown Tiebreaker

3. No Stepping Out.
Batters cannot step out of the batter’s box once an at bat starts. If batter steps out at any point, it’s a strike on the batter.

4. No Bunting.
Bunting Sucks. Enough Said.

5. Batters Can Steal First.
If a pass ball or wild pitch happens during any pitch of an at-bat, the batter can take off to first.

6. No Walks Allowed.
If a pitcher throws the fourth ball it becomes a Sprint. The hitter will take off sprinting to first while the catcher has to throw the ball around to every defensive player on the field before it becomes live. The hitter can advance to as many bases as he can before the ball becomes live. The ball does not have to touch the catcher or pitcher.

7. One on One Showdown Tiebreaker.
Each team picks one pitcher and one hitter to face off. The defensive team only has the pitcher and catcher on the field. All other fielders are off the field. If a hitter puts the ball in play, he has to score and make it home to get a point. If the ball is put in play, The pitcher is allowed to chase the ball and throw the ball to the catcher for a play at the plate. If a pitcher strikes him out or gets him out before scoring, he doesn’t get a point. If the batter walks, he can take second base and the hitting team will bring another hitter to the plate.

First team to reach 5 points wins. If the score is tied – the first team to keep the other team from scoring wins.

8. No Mound Visits Allowed.
Let’s keep the game moving. No mound visits from the coach, catcher or any other players. Hype your pitcher up from afar if needed.

9. If a Fan Catches a Foul Ball, It’s an Out.
Why not let the fans get in on some of the action?
 

IASTATE07

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
May 30, 2016
12,024
18,813
113
Some good ideas. It won't change baseball though.
 

JM4CY

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Aug 23, 2012
33,655
64,960
113
America
What in the hell? Does this ridiculousness actually have any traction?
 

OnlyCyclones

Well-Known Member
Feb 27, 2017
1,265
1,565
113
As someone that does like baseball, every rule but 4 and 9 is decent, and 9 is really dumb. Not sure about hitters stealing first either l, especially as a right handed hitter would have to run across the plate with a pitch on the way. Also bunting is great, and would serve to speed up the game further. Two hour time limit is unnecessary and uncompetitive. Just make the games 7 innings. That said, I think the games fine as is. They’ll continue to work at speeding up the game.
 

Drew0311

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2019
6,809
10,493
113
50
Norwalk, Iowa
I love normal baseball. They should make single A ball like this and I would go to all the games I could. Go to a game and end up in the box score for catching a foul ball. I’m all about it
 

ISUCyclones2015

Doesn't wipe standing up
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2010
13,958
9,466
113
Chicago, IL
What in the hell? Does this ridiculousness actually have any traction?

The Savannah Bananas do it in the Offseason of their regular single A games. They play the Party Animals. Think of it like the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals. I could see it being an "act" that travels around the country.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wxman1

ISUCyclones2015

Doesn't wipe standing up
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2010
13,958
9,466
113
Chicago, IL
Another thing the Savannah Bananas do for these games (and every game they play in Single A too) is every seat in the house is the same price and it's all inclusive besides alcohol. Food soda candy you name it.

They've sold out 4 years in a row and already sold out their entire 2021 season.
 

CyCrazy

Well-Known Member
Dec 17, 2008
26,148
13,799
113
Ames
It will never happen but it would be fun to watch. Sign me up and I am a baseball purist.
 

qwerty

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Apr 3, 2020
6,217
8,793
113
59
Muscatine, IA
I heard the NCAA is discussing it in their meetings this week. I guess it is pretty serious.
 

cyfanatic13

Well-Known Member
SuperFanatic
SuperFanatic T2
Dec 19, 2008
11,099
9,842
113
I actually love the walk rule. None of those rules will ever happen in the MLB but I would have no issue with the minors making games more fun and fan friendly.