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Jim
I have no idea of any "inertia" that would lead to a change.
But keeping this discussion on the philosphoical level...
I don't think there can be too great of debate over whether baseball favors the offense. It does. I refer to it as a slant. Papa C has called it a steep slope.
What's the reason for the balk rule? Originally to prevent the defense of from gaining an unfair advantage and avoid stifling the offense but wouldn't that more or less just cover the deceptive balks? Why all the mechanical and punitive balks?
Where's the defensive equivalent of leading off and stealing? I'm not commenting on the execution of such moves, just the opportunity they provide to advance without the offense hitting the ball or the defense committing an error.
Even in OBR, interference in some cases must be intentional to be called. Obstruction does not get that consideration in any case.
What did lowering the pitching mound have to do with defense?
Even the unlikely scenarios seem to favor the offense. My 17 year old son had one last year that to my amazement and the defensive coach's consternation, he called right:
2 outs, score tied bottom of the last, R3. Batter bunts and beats throw to first. F3 sees R3 heading for home and fires the ball to the catcher. Just as he releases a dog wanders in front of the plate. Ball hits dog, dog goes down R3 scores. Defensive coach screams for interference. My son rules run scores, game over, beats feet for car. (NAPBL 4.19)
There are numerous other examples in the rule book and in the managament and logisitics of the game. (Why are all the parks bringing in the outfield fences? To help the defense?)
Why the slant? Hits, baserunning, base stealing, scoring are exciting and entertaining. The powers that be knew this well before television and oft cited those as reasons for rule changes as far back as the 1880's.
I doubt if there will be much change in that philosophy, even though there is talk of raising the mound again.
GarthB
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GB
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