Larry Rothschild - Part 2 - Relegation, Pitch Clock, ABS & Tropicana Rings RaysUp

Could Relegation Work in Baseball?If MLB adopted a promotion and relegation system like European soccerEliminates tanking$12 billion input into the leagueKeeps fans engaged all seasonExpands opportunities for new marketsChallenges include financial structure and the difficulty of transitionThe Pitch Clock and Modern Game ChangesRothschild discusses how the pitch clock has improved pace Pitch clock has changed the rhythm of the gameWhile fans seem to enjoy faster gamestraditional tempo and strategic breathing room for players have diminishedBob Gibson used to pitch 1.5 hour games  Stopping The Shift -We have legislated things in baseball, that we have causedMaury Wills did not need these rulesChanging Incentives in BaseballModern analytics have shifted player priorities.Skills like bunting and base stealing declined because players were not financially rewarded for these skills. Players will develop the skills that they are paid forMental Performance in the GamePitch Clock has put a rush & stress in the game with hitters & pitchersThe importance of mental coaching, visualization, and repeatable mechanics, Rothschild brought Harvey Dorfman as a mental coach for the Rays organizationSo much information across MLB gives wealth of knowledge of competing teamsHitters get uncomfortable with the unknownABS and the Future of UmpiringAutomated Ball-Strike technology may remove some personality from the gameLarry shares stories of Umpires - "Your day will come & you have to earn it"Larry believes ABS is necessary in today’s data-driven environmentHow many less manager ejections will there be with ABS Joe West & other umpire stories The Tropicana Roof Rings RulesRays Stadium and Tampa’s FutureRothschild hopes the Rays remain in Tampa Tropicana Roof & what wind speeds are still safe to continue the game?Governor DeSantis has given 22 acres to the Rays for new stadiumLarry stresses  new stadium should honor local baseball legends like Al Lopez and Lou PiniellaLarry strongly recommends a visit to the Tampa Baseball Museum at the home of Al LopezImportance of Minor League BaseballReducing minor league teams risks losing baseball’s deep connection to small-town America.An alternative: integrating college baseball more directly into the development system.Baseball’s future depends on maintaining strong community connections & preserving the passion that has long defined the gameThanks for listening to BaseballBiz On Deck - www.baseballbizondeck.com You've been listening to Part 2 of the interview with Larry Rothschild, twice a coach with World Series  winning teams the Marlins and the Reds plus he was manager of the inaugural Tampa Bay Devil Rays Baseball Team, pitching coach for the Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and San Diego Padres.  click here & Listen to Part 1 of the interview with LarryIf you enjoyed this show, go ahead like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck.  You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, on YouTube at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseballbizondeck.comYou can find Mat at matgermain.bsky