For a game now entering its third century (no 'Abner' quibbles, please), baseball has stayed true to its nature, but some aspects HAVE changed over the years. So why not now?

We asked if there were some things in the rules and playing of baseball that you'd change now - at your level, and in your league - if you could. The response was overwhelming.

To make sense out of the chart below, we've highlighted those results where the % in favour of change outweighed those opposed, or where a close vote indicates a future bone of contention. And we intend to notify a number of officiating bodies of our results. (Note: 'yes' and 'no' may not equal 100% due to 'no opinion' votes.)

Some notable results...

• Call higher strikes
• Loosen the re-entry rule (younger ages)
• Simplify the balk rule
• Allow more mound visits (younger)
• Ban metal cleats (younger)

WebBall was surprised that there wasn't more opposition to aluminum bats.

CHANGES IN BASEBALL		All Replies		Younger Ages		Older Ages
		Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Hitting	Have (keep) the Designated Hitter rule	42%	51%	18%	68%	58%	39%
	Call high strikes (the rule book zone)	69%	33%	73%	27%	67%	36%
	Make strike zone officially smaller	7%	85%	9%	86%	6%	85%
	Everyone bats (not just 9 in line-up)	24%	76%	41%	59%	12%	88%
	Unrestricted re-entry (1 inning out)	51%	38%	64%	27%	42%	45%
	Ban bunting because it's not real hitting	0%	98%	0%	95%	0%	100%
Pitching	Lower the mound	7%	71%	14%	55%	3%	82%
	Raise the mound	18%	58%	18%	55%	18%	61%
	Ban junk pitches (or keep current ban)	31%	49%	45%	36%	21%	58%
	Let coach visit pitcher more than twice	45%	51%	55%	45%	39%	55%
	Simplify the balk rule	67%	27%	68%	23%	67%	30%
Safety	Ban aluminum bats (wood only)	38%	53%	36%	50%	39%	55%
	Ban metal cleats (or keep current age ban)	49%	44%	68%	23%	36%	58%
	Allow only breakaway bases	40%	40%	45%	27%	36%	48%
	Allow only new-style catcher masks	35%	45%	32%	36%	36%	52%
Other Issues	Make the base path longer (for your age)	11%	85%	9%	82%	12%	88%
	Make the base path shorter (at your age)	7%	85%	5%	82%	9%	88%
	Make the outfielder bigger (fewer homers)	4%	84%	0%	82%	6%	85%

I feel that with the new bats players use today a pitcher is forced to rely on junk pitches. If wooden bats were brought back a pitcher would be rewarded for perfecting his fastball and pitching would return to what it has been in the past. With the bats currently used in the younger ages many pitchers are ruined before they have a chance to develop.
- Terry Edwards

Let's get the word out to the coaches. Get them updated! I relocated my family about a year ago. The difference in regards to baseball knowledge and fundamentals is like night and day. If I could make a change it would be to create mandatory clinics, training, seminars for all High School coaches and staff. Thanks for having this forum to express an opinion.
- Marc Magdaleno

The first change would be that every player must play in a game. No player could sit two innings in a row. Pitchers once removed from the mound could not go to the catching position and vice versa.
- Rick Downton

The league is pretty well off as is, with the exception that kids who are not mature enough to throw curveballs shouldn't be throwing them. I¹ve seen so many kids peak on the mound at age 12 because they throw curveballs and ruin their arms before they even have a chance to live up to their potential. I pitched two years in high school with no more that a fastball and change-up and was successful.
- Jason Newberg