[jtur88]

I agree. I ghink EVERY rule should be revised in such a way as to achieve its practical objective in the play of the game.

Case in point: Pitcher going to his mouth. Purpose of the rule: To allow time for the pitching hand to dry off if the pitcher loads it up with spit while olf the dirt part of the mound. Practical change: If the pitcher goes to his mouth while on the dirt, the umpire shall call time and direct the pitcher to step off the dirt before returning to the mound. Problem solved, and undeserved draconian penalty sidestepped. Procedural penalties are for lowly football. We should not be degrading our gamr.

Another case: If a manager wants to double switch, he cannot make any gesture at all to that effect until he has notified the umpire first of his intention. Purpose of rule: None that I can think of. Proposed change: Manager shall call time when he comes out of the dugout. With time called, it could not possibly make any difference whatsoever how he choreographed his audience with the Holy Umpire, whom the spectatos have paid good money to watch in actiln. This would achieve the uniform objective of all new baseball rules---speed up the game (so the crotchety media coverage can get to the post-game bar) by giving the pitcher a 5-second head start in leaving the bullpen.