For the past few editions, I posted tournaments I wanted to see. This time, I will get to some rule changes, which was the original purpose for this blog series. There are some rules that some people like that I cannot stand and vice versa. There are two rules I would change in Major League Baseball, and one I would keep the same, but I feel the need to post it, anyway.
1) Get rid of mid-season trades
A lot of people like mid-season trades. Their teams can get instant improvement with a the "final piece of the puzzle." However, I find these trades annoying. A lot of people I have talked to have problems with teams like the Yankees "buying championships". I have no problem with it, but my annoyance is with teams "renting players to get a championship". What I mean is when they trade for a player, don't have any intentions to keep him, and try to get a World Series title (i.e. the Brewers trading for C.C. Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians). Plus, it makes baseball hard to follow. As much as I follow sports, I watch games, see players on new teams, and find myself saying, "Whoa, when'd that happen?" IF I WAS KING OF SPORTS, those trades would be gone. Whatever hand you have, is what you play with the entire season. If changes need to be made, they are to be made from the minor-league system, or the free agent market. For those teams who do it to get younger players and prepare for the future, I notice that rarely works, and when it does, it takes at least a decade. Last year, the Pirates were relevant for the first time since 1992. They could have had more success if they had kept their good players. The Royals are relevant for the first time since 1985. However, if I am missing something, and mid-season trades must be kept, then I will have rule #2.
2) The trade deadline is the trade deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS OR LOOPHOLES!
After the trade deadline, the Oakland A's were able to trade for Adam Dunn, because there are a couple of loopholes in the trade deadline. My question is if the trade deadline is not going to be enforced, why have it? IF I WAS KING OF SPORTS, no trades would be allowed after the trade deadline. If a team needs different players, they would need to get them through their minor-league system.
3) Cut interleague to two series for each team.
Interleague baseball was one of those things I thought was cool when it was first created. It was a wonderful new idea for the A's to play the Giants, Dodgers play the Angels, the Cardinals play the Royals, and other match ups, because the teams are close to each other and they would never play in the regular season. However, it was become overkill over the past few years, and especially now, when there has to be an interleague series every day. The first thing I would do IF I WAS KING OF SPORTS, is to add two teams. My recommendation is Vancouver, BC and Louisville, KY. If the league wants balance, then add 6 teams to allow each division to have 6 teams each. Where would I put them?
West Central East
Vancouver, BC Indianapolis, IN Charlotte, NC
El Paso, TX Louisville, KY (I'd move Pittsburgh to NL East)
New Orleans, LA
What would be the two series? The first one would be against the geographic rival, for example, Giants-A's; Dodgers-Angels, Rangers-Astros, Indians-Reds, Cardinals-Royals, Twins-Brewers, Mets-Yankees, Cubs-White Sox, etc. The second one would be picked randomly, as long as it is not a second series against the geographic rival. The drawing would occur before schedules come out.
4) Keep the designated hitter (DH) in the American League, and keep the pitcher hitting in the National League.
There has been a call by American League owners to have the DH in both leagues. This comes out of a fear of the pitchers being injured when they have to play in a National League park. Twenty years ago, I would have been okay with it, because there was still a philosophical difference between the American League and the National, plus, fewer players switched leagues than they do today. In my opinion, if there was the DH in both leagues, then Major League Baseball might as well switch to Eastern and Western Conference (although, how cool would it be to have the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and Pirates in the Northeast Division)?
5) Get rid of the balk rule
I am still questioning whether I would want to add this one in. I can partly understand the rule, because batters only have a quarter of a second to decide whether or not they should swing at the ball. Therefore, a movement from the pitcher is like a false start in football. However, the reason I put this in is because of the perspective of the base runners. A few years ago, baseball got rid of the rule that allowed the pitcher to fake the throw to third base and then try to pick off the runner at first and vice versa. I say the MLB needs to bring that rule back. If runners are going to lead off, the pitcher needs to be able to have a fair chance at picking him off.
6) Catchers would be limited to 9 innings per game at that position
There has been a push for player safety in all sports, and this rule needs to be added for the sake of the catcher. The knees of the catcher get ruined after squatting for nine innings, day after day. These same catchers are often asked to work overtime if the game is sent to extra innings. IF I WAS KING OF SPORTS, the catchers would only be allowed to catch nine innings at that position. If the game goes into extra innings, then the catcher must be replaced. The starting catcher would be allowed to play another position if the manager wants to keep him on the field. To make accomodations for this rule, I would allow a 26th person on the roster, but that 26th man would have to be a catcher. Each team would be required to carry 3 catchers on the roster.
7) Special pinch runner
In another rule involving the catcher, I would allow a special pinch runner. In interest of saving time, IF I WAS THE KING OF SPORTS, a team could send a special pinch runner for the catcher if there are two outs before the catcher gets a base hit. I have not decided where that runner could come from, it would either be the last out like it is in the softball leagues I have played in, or someone from the bench. The idea is that the special pinch runner can run for him while he is putting on his catcher's gear. The catcher would still be in the game, and it would not count as an official appearence for the pinch runner. In order for this rule to take effect, there has to be two outs before the catcher comes up to the plate.
8) Decide home-field advantage of the World Series by 1. Seeding in the playoffs, 2. Regular season record
Anyone else tired of the all-star game deciding the home-field advantage of the World Series? That game is meant to be an exhibition. I also hate the idea of a wildcard team getting the home-field advantage over a team with the best record in the major leagues just because the league of the wildcard won the all-star game. There would be a priority to decide home-field advantage. 1) Playoff seeding, higher seed gets the advantage. 2) Record. If the teams have the same seeding, the one with the better record gets home-field. 3) If they are still tied after that, then I am ok with having the all-star winning league getting home-field.
Baseball is a great game, and overall, the officials and players do a great job. No league is perfect. There is something we all would want to change. These are the changes I would like to see made.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Road to Stockton (updated 5/4/15)
These are the college conference tournaments that will take place in Stockton in 2015.
CCAA BASEBALL (Regular season champion: Sonoma St. Tournament champion: UC-San Diego)
The tournament will remain in Stockton for the 2015 season, but the exact venue has changed. The 2015 CCAA tournament will take place at the University of the Pacific. The top 4 teams will make the double-elimination tournament. Here is what the first day looks like.
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills (22-18 CCAA, 28-22) vs. (1) Cal Poly-Pomona (28-12 CCAA, 36-14)
(3) CSU-Monterey Bay (27-13 CCAA, 32-18) vs. (2) UC-San Diego (27-13 CCAA, 32-17)
Day 2
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills vs. (3) CSU-Monterey Bay (CSUDH 6-4)
(1) Cal Poly-Pomona vs. (2) UC-San Diego (CPP 2-1)
Day 3
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills vs. (2) UC-San Diego (CSUDH 3-2 10 innings)
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills vs. (1) Cal Poly-Pomona (CPP 4-0)
Cal Poly-Pomona Broncos win the CCAA championship
First 2 out: Cal State-L.A., CSU-East Bay
STANISLAUS ST. finished in 10th place at (16-24 CCAA, 21-29).
PLAYERS FROM 209 IN TOURNAMENT
CSU-Monterey Bay
Todd Stewart (FR, P, Gregori-Modesto)
WCC BASEBALL (Regular Season champion: Pepperdine Tournament champion: Pepperdine)
The West Coast Conference baseball tournament will return to Banner Island Ballpark, home of the California League, Stockton Ports, in 2015. The top 4 teams will make the double-elimination tournament. If the tournament was today, here is what the first day would look like.
(4) BYU (13-10 WCC, 24-22) vs. (1) San Diego* (19-8 WCC, 30-20)
(3) San Francisco (15-9 WCC, 25-24) vs. (2) Pepperdine (15-9 WCC, 25-24)
First 2 out: Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga
*=Clinched a spot in the tournament
Pacific is in 9th place (9-15 WCC, 12-35)
SOFTBALL (Regular season champion: Humboldt St. Tournament champion: Humboldt St.)
Once again, the CCAA softball tournament will take place at Arnaiz Stadium in Stockton. The top 4 teams will make the double-elimination tournament.
May 1st
Game 1: (4) Chico St. (21-15 CCAA, 25-18) vs. (1) CSU-Monterey Bay (28-8 CCAA, 44-10) 3:00 P.M. CSUMB 7-6 (10)
Game 2: (3) Sonoma St. (24-11 CCAA, 38-17) vs. (2) Humboldt St. (25-11 CCAA, 39-15) 5:30 P.M. HSU 4-0
May 2nd
Game 3: CSU-Monterey Bay vs. Humboldt St. Noon CSUMB 5-3
Game 4: Chico St. vs. Sonoma St. 2:30 P.M. SSU 6-3
Game 5: Humboldt St. vs. Sonoma St. 5:00 P.M. HSU 8-1
May 3rd
Game 6: CSU-Monterey Bay vs. Humboldt St. 10:00 A.M. CSUMB 2-0
Players from 209 in tournament
CSU-Monterey Bay
#3 Alissa Greenhaw (SR, IF, Galt)
#21 Marielle Valdez (JR, C/OF, Atwater)
#27 Trina Solario (SR, IF, Manteca)
Humboldt St.
#3 Breonna Bejaran (SO, C/1B, Modesto Christian)
#6 Hanna Holland (FR, OF, Oakdale)
Chico St.
#3 Kelli Keefe (SR, IF, Sonora)
First 2 out: CSU-San Bernardino, CSU-East Bay
STANISLAUS ST. finished tied for 9th place (7-29 CCAA, 15-35)
MEN'S TOURNAMENT (Defending regular season champion: CSU-San Bernardino. Defending CCAA tournament champion: Stanislaus St.)
Results
Thursday March 5, 2014
(6) CSU-San Bernardino (12-10 CCAA, 12-13) vs. (3) Humboldt St. (15-7 CCAA, 21-7) 8:05 P.M (HSU 92-87 (OT))
(5) UC-San Diego (14-8 CCAA, 16-10) vs. (4) STANISLAUS ST. (14-8 CCAA, 17-10) 5:35 P.M. (CSUS 61-46)
Friday March 6, 2014
(4) Stanislaus St. vs. (1) Chico St. (18-4 CCAA, 21-6) 5:35 P.M. (CSU 72-60)
(3) Humboldt St. vs. (2) Cal Poly-Pomona (17-5 CCAA, 21-6) 8:05 P.M. (CPP 78-68)
Saturday March 7, 2014
(2) Cal Poly-Pomona Broncos vs. (1) Chico St. Wildcats (CPP 62-57 OT)
1st 2 out: CSU-Monterey Bay, Sonoma St.
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT (Defending regular season champion: Cal Poly-Pomona. Defending CCAA tournament champion: CSU-Dominguez Hills.)
Results
Thursday March 5, 2015
(6) CSU-East Bay (11-9 CCAA, 16-10) vs. (3) Cal Poly-Pomona (16-4 CCAA, 18-6) (CSUEB 75-70)
(5) UC-San Diego (14-6 CCAA, 16-9) vs. (4) CSU-San Bernardino (14-6 CCAA, 18-6) (CSUSB 69-58)
1st round byes: (2) Humboldt St. (18-2 CCAA, 22-3), (1) CSU-Dominguez Hills (17-3 CCAA, 22-6)
1st 2 out: Cal State-L.A. Chico St.
Stanislaus St. is tied for 8th place (6-14 CCAA, 8-16)
Friday March 6, 2015
(5) CSU-San Bernardino vs. (1) CSU-Dominguez Hills (CSUDH 69-66 OT)
(6) CSU-East Bay vs. (2) Humboldt St. (CSUEB 73-67)
Saturday March 7, 2015
(6) CSU-East Bay Pioneers vs. (1) CSU- Dominguez Hills Toros (CSUDH 76-57)
GCC WOMEN'S WATER POLO (Defending champion: None, first year as a conference)
Seven teams joined together to form the Golden Coast Conference. It is a one-sport only conference with all seven teams in primary conferences. This tournament will take place at the University of the Pacific from April 23-25. Every team makes this tournament. There will be no automatic qualifying spot to the NCAA tournament; and from what I read, the games of this tournament will likely be the end of the season for all seven teams.
April 23rd
Game 1: (6) Santa Clara Broncos (2-4 GCC, 14-13) vs. (3) Loyola Marymount Lions (4-2 GCC, 19-11) LMU 13-10
Game 2: (7) Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (0-6 GCC, 7-22) vs. (2) PACIFIC TIGERS (5-1 GCC, 14-9) UOP 14-5
Game 3: (5) California Baptist Lancers (2-4 GCC, 19-13) vs. (4) Azusa Pacific Cougars (2-4 GCC, 10-15) CBU 17-8
April 24th
Game 4: Santa Clara Broncos vs. Fresno Pacific Sunbirds SCU 14-8
Game 5: (Semifinal #1) Loyola Marymount Lions vs. PACIFIC TIGERS LMU 6-3
Game 6: (Semifinal #2) California Baptist Lancers vs. (1) San Diego St. Aztecs (6-0 GCC, 16-14) SDST 11-6
April 25th
Game 7: Santa Clara Broncos vs. Azusa Pacific Cougars (5th place) SCU 11-8
Game 8: PACIFIC TIGERS vs. California Baptist Lancers (3rd place) UOP 12-9
Game 9: Championship- Loyola Marymount Lions vs. San Diego St. Aztecs LMU 9-5
CCAA MEN'S GOLF (Defending champion: STANISLAUS STATE)
Tournament is Monday - Wednesday. Admission is free
I can't do one of these projections for golf, but the Brookside Country Club in Stockton is holding the CCAA Men's golf tournament. Somehow, UC-San Diego is the official host of the tournament. On a personal note, Torrey Pines is near La Jolla (the town UC-San Diego is actually in). If the Tritons are going to host, it should be at Torrey Pines.
April 20th results
Team (Score after 2 rounds)
1. Chico St. 559 (-17)
2. CSU-Monterey Bay 566 (-10)
3. STANISLAUS ST. 573 (-3)
4. CSU-East Bay 574 (-4)
5. Sonoma St. 576 (E)
6. CSU-San Bernardino 581 (+5)
7. UC-San Diego 582 (+6)
8. CSU-Dominguez Hills 586 (+10)
Individual
Connor Day (STANISLAUS ST.) and Alistair Docherty (Chico St.) are tied for the lead at -6. Docherty won the individual championship in a playoff hole.
April 21st
Team
(4) CSU-East Bay vs. (1) Chico St. CSUEB 3-2
(3) STANISLAUS ST. vs. (2) CSU-Monterey Bay CSUS 3.5-1.5
April 22nd
Team
(4) CSU-East Bay vs. (3) STANISLAUS ST. CSUS 3.5-1.5
STANISLAUS STATE WARRIORS won the team championship.
source: www.goccaa.org
CCAA BASEBALL (Regular season champion: Sonoma St. Tournament champion: UC-San Diego)
The tournament will remain in Stockton for the 2015 season, but the exact venue has changed. The 2015 CCAA tournament will take place at the University of the Pacific. The top 4 teams will make the double-elimination tournament. Here is what the first day looks like.
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills (22-18 CCAA, 28-22) vs. (1) Cal Poly-Pomona (28-12 CCAA, 36-14)
(3) CSU-Monterey Bay (27-13 CCAA, 32-18) vs. (2) UC-San Diego (27-13 CCAA, 32-17)
Day 2
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills vs. (3) CSU-Monterey Bay (CSUDH 6-4)
(1) Cal Poly-Pomona vs. (2) UC-San Diego (CPP 2-1)
Day 3
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills vs. (2) UC-San Diego (CSUDH 3-2 10 innings)
(4) CSU-Dominguez Hills vs. (1) Cal Poly-Pomona (CPP 4-0)
Cal Poly-Pomona Broncos win the CCAA championship
First 2 out: Cal State-L.A., CSU-East Bay
STANISLAUS ST. finished in 10th place at (16-24 CCAA, 21-29).
PLAYERS FROM 209 IN TOURNAMENT
CSU-Monterey Bay
Todd Stewart (FR, P, Gregori-Modesto)
WCC BASEBALL (Regular Season champion: Pepperdine Tournament champion: Pepperdine)
The West Coast Conference baseball tournament will return to Banner Island Ballpark, home of the California League, Stockton Ports, in 2015. The top 4 teams will make the double-elimination tournament. If the tournament was today, here is what the first day would look like.
(4) BYU (13-10 WCC, 24-22) vs. (1) San Diego* (19-8 WCC, 30-20)
(3) San Francisco (15-9 WCC, 25-24) vs. (2) Pepperdine (15-9 WCC, 25-24)
First 2 out: Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga
*=Clinched a spot in the tournament
Pacific is in 9th place (9-15 WCC, 12-35)
SOFTBALL (Regular season champion: Humboldt St. Tournament champion: Humboldt St.)
Once again, the CCAA softball tournament will take place at Arnaiz Stadium in Stockton. The top 4 teams will make the double-elimination tournament.
May 1st
Game 1: (4) Chico St. (21-15 CCAA, 25-18) vs. (1) CSU-Monterey Bay (28-8 CCAA, 44-10) 3:00 P.M. CSUMB 7-6 (10)
Game 2: (3) Sonoma St. (24-11 CCAA, 38-17) vs. (2) Humboldt St. (25-11 CCAA, 39-15) 5:30 P.M. HSU 4-0
May 2nd
Game 3: CSU-Monterey Bay vs. Humboldt St. Noon CSUMB 5-3
Game 4: Chico St. vs. Sonoma St. 2:30 P.M. SSU 6-3
Game 5: Humboldt St. vs. Sonoma St. 5:00 P.M. HSU 8-1
May 3rd
Game 6: CSU-Monterey Bay vs. Humboldt St. 10:00 A.M. CSUMB 2-0
Players from 209 in tournament
CSU-Monterey Bay
#3 Alissa Greenhaw (SR, IF, Galt)
#21 Marielle Valdez (JR, C/OF, Atwater)
#27 Trina Solario (SR, IF, Manteca)
Humboldt St.
#3 Breonna Bejaran (SO, C/1B, Modesto Christian)
#6 Hanna Holland (FR, OF, Oakdale)
Chico St.
#3 Kelli Keefe (SR, IF, Sonora)
First 2 out: CSU-San Bernardino, CSU-East Bay
STANISLAUS ST. finished tied for 9th place (7-29 CCAA, 15-35)
MEN'S TOURNAMENT (Defending regular season champion: CSU-San Bernardino. Defending CCAA tournament champion: Stanislaus St.)
Results
Thursday March 5, 2014
(6) CSU-San Bernardino (12-10 CCAA, 12-13) vs. (3) Humboldt St. (15-7 CCAA, 21-7) 8:05 P.M (HSU 92-87 (OT))
(5) UC-San Diego (14-8 CCAA, 16-10) vs. (4) STANISLAUS ST. (14-8 CCAA, 17-10) 5:35 P.M. (CSUS 61-46)
Friday March 6, 2014
(4) Stanislaus St. vs. (1) Chico St. (18-4 CCAA, 21-6) 5:35 P.M. (CSU 72-60)
(3) Humboldt St. vs. (2) Cal Poly-Pomona (17-5 CCAA, 21-6) 8:05 P.M. (CPP 78-68)
Saturday March 7, 2014
(2) Cal Poly-Pomona Broncos vs. (1) Chico St. Wildcats (CPP 62-57 OT)
1st 2 out: CSU-Monterey Bay, Sonoma St.
WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT (Defending regular season champion: Cal Poly-Pomona. Defending CCAA tournament champion: CSU-Dominguez Hills.)
Results
Thursday March 5, 2015
(6) CSU-East Bay (11-9 CCAA, 16-10) vs. (3) Cal Poly-Pomona (16-4 CCAA, 18-6) (CSUEB 75-70)
(5) UC-San Diego (14-6 CCAA, 16-9) vs. (4) CSU-San Bernardino (14-6 CCAA, 18-6) (CSUSB 69-58)
1st round byes: (2) Humboldt St. (18-2 CCAA, 22-3), (1) CSU-Dominguez Hills (17-3 CCAA, 22-6)
1st 2 out: Cal State-L.A. Chico St.
Stanislaus St. is tied for 8th place (6-14 CCAA, 8-16)
Friday March 6, 2015
(5) CSU-San Bernardino vs. (1) CSU-Dominguez Hills (CSUDH 69-66 OT)
(6) CSU-East Bay vs. (2) Humboldt St. (CSUEB 73-67)
Saturday March 7, 2015
(6) CSU-East Bay Pioneers vs. (1) CSU- Dominguez Hills Toros (CSUDH 76-57)
GCC WOMEN'S WATER POLO (Defending champion: None, first year as a conference)
Seven teams joined together to form the Golden Coast Conference. It is a one-sport only conference with all seven teams in primary conferences. This tournament will take place at the University of the Pacific from April 23-25. Every team makes this tournament. There will be no automatic qualifying spot to the NCAA tournament; and from what I read, the games of this tournament will likely be the end of the season for all seven teams.
April 23rd
Game 1: (6) Santa Clara Broncos (2-4 GCC, 14-13) vs. (3) Loyola Marymount Lions (4-2 GCC, 19-11) LMU 13-10
Game 2: (7) Fresno Pacific Sunbirds (0-6 GCC, 7-22) vs. (2) PACIFIC TIGERS (5-1 GCC, 14-9) UOP 14-5
Game 3: (5) California Baptist Lancers (2-4 GCC, 19-13) vs. (4) Azusa Pacific Cougars (2-4 GCC, 10-15) CBU 17-8
April 24th
Game 4: Santa Clara Broncos vs. Fresno Pacific Sunbirds SCU 14-8
Game 5: (Semifinal #1) Loyola Marymount Lions vs. PACIFIC TIGERS LMU 6-3
Game 6: (Semifinal #2) California Baptist Lancers vs. (1) San Diego St. Aztecs (6-0 GCC, 16-14) SDST 11-6
April 25th
Game 7: Santa Clara Broncos vs. Azusa Pacific Cougars (5th place) SCU 11-8
Game 8: PACIFIC TIGERS vs. California Baptist Lancers (3rd place) UOP 12-9
Game 9: Championship- Loyola Marymount Lions vs. San Diego St. Aztecs LMU 9-5
CCAA MEN'S GOLF (Defending champion: STANISLAUS STATE)
Tournament is Monday - Wednesday. Admission is free
I can't do one of these projections for golf, but the Brookside Country Club in Stockton is holding the CCAA Men's golf tournament. Somehow, UC-San Diego is the official host of the tournament. On a personal note, Torrey Pines is near La Jolla (the town UC-San Diego is actually in). If the Tritons are going to host, it should be at Torrey Pines.
April 20th results
Team (Score after 2 rounds)
1. Chico St. 559 (-17)
2. CSU-Monterey Bay 566 (-10)
3. STANISLAUS ST. 573 (-3)
4. CSU-East Bay 574 (-4)
5. Sonoma St. 576 (E)
6. CSU-San Bernardino 581 (+5)
7. UC-San Diego 582 (+6)
8. CSU-Dominguez Hills 586 (+10)
Individual
Connor Day (STANISLAUS ST.) and Alistair Docherty (Chico St.) are tied for the lead at -6. Docherty won the individual championship in a playoff hole.
April 21st
Team
(4) CSU-East Bay vs. (1) Chico St. CSUEB 3-2
(3) STANISLAUS ST. vs. (2) CSU-Monterey Bay CSUS 3.5-1.5
April 22nd
Team
(4) CSU-East Bay vs. (3) STANISLAUS ST. CSUS 3.5-1.5
STANISLAUS STATE WARRIORS won the team championship.
source: www.goccaa.org
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