Episode 315 - Tales from the Dugout, New Rules, Missing Coaches and Speedruns

Jeff and Mark open discussing Hideki Matsui’s scheduled lecture at the Japan Society of Fertilization and Implantation and how he became an ‘expert’ on the subject. They review minor-league rule experiments, including moving second base again, check-swing challenges, limiting batter timeouts, counting PitchCom issues as mound visits, reducing disengagements, and allowing starters to re-enter, plus a DH-related idea. They cover an NPB postseason rule expanding “ghost wins” in the Climax Series and MLB’s spring training re-measurements to calibrate automated strike zones, noting several players’ height changes. In “Tales from the Dugout,” they recount 1900 Giants players rescuing people from a fire before a game that ended in a stalled tie, a 1944 Reds-Braves game finished in 1:15 on 58 pitches, and odd baseball card stories involving Mike Proly’s empty-bench card and forged Little Sun autographs. The episode ends with a 2003 Topps Wax Pack Heroes matchup.   00:00 Podcast Cold Open 00:51 Matsui Fertility Lecture 02:35 Minor League Rule Experiments 07:06 NPB Ghost Wins Debate 08:33 Measuring Strike Zones 13:45 1900 Fire Rescue Antics 18:19 1944 Speedrun Game 22:51 Mike Proly is Missing Card 26:48 Little Sun Set Tease 27:47 Roper Over Jeter Chase 29:46 Backdoored Autograph Scandal 31:10 Mystery Card Hunt Segment 32:44 Wax Pack Heroes Begins 52:01 Wrap Up and Listener Teams Connect With Us YouTube: www.youtube.com/@twostrikenoise Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/twostrikenoise BlueSky: @twostrikenoise.bsky.social Email: [email protected]   Support a Great Cause: Don't let your common cards collect dust! Donate them to help spark a child's interest in the game at http://commons4kids.org/.   #baseballhistory #mlb #baseball #Yankees #RedSox #Cal #BaseballCards #TwoStrikeNoise