Mechanic question

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

For me, it is innovation.

There were people who didn't think the horseless carriage was necessary - for a variety of what were sound reasons. But, I think the automobile was a positive innovation.

I agree that for many decades we got along fine without letting both teams know what we are ruling on an uncaught third strike, but I personally believe that it is a useful mechanic. I respect your opinion and understand it. I just disagree.

Not all innovation is good. May seem good, but in the long run, I often have to wonder if it actually improves anything.

How about the verbaliztion of "obstruction"? I just stopped doing it due to the negative effect it had on the game. But it satisfies someone's desire, so it needs to remain even though there is a visual signal that has worked for decades. However, this game is getting so excuse-for-failure heavy, look out for OBS to become a dead ball and instant award in the next decade or two.

The TV remote is a good example. Sure, it is convenient, but it made folks lazy and in some cases, stupid. Same with the automatic transmission in a vehicle. Talk about an innovation which has dummied down a society.

Ever see a teenager try to "dial" a phone number? Or a college student not be able to figure out the change for a $70 tab from a $100 bill without a calculator? In the 70s, (yes, even that long ago) when I worked for Southland in FL, there was a power outage at the store and no one could figure out how I could keep the business open without an operating electric cash register. Go figure, the math I learned in 3rd grade confused the big, college graduate who was my alleged superior.

New and different doesn't mean better, and if you played the game of softball 20-30 years ago, you should be able to appreciate how weak the skill levels have become for some playing today's game.

Question: Before the incident in MLB, did you ever hear such an uproar for a mechanic on a U3K? Even with the mechanic, what has actually changed other than the appearance that there was some sort of reaction?

You can agree and I can disagree, but I cannot see one positive it adds to the game.