MLB Fans Unhappy with Potential Ban of Defensive Shift

Major League Baseball wants to ban the shift, and the MLBPA appears to be open to the ban.

As MLB and the MLBPA continues with negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement, it appears that MLB has proposed to ban defensive shifts.

John Heyman of MLB Network and Audacy Sports was first to report the news of some items that have been included in the latest round of negotiations. As it pertains to the shift, let’s just say fans have been less than pleased. 

Players union agreed to allow MLB to ban shifts, implement a pitch clock and make bases larger in 2023, subject to those agreements fitting into a total deal. Union also rejected Robo umps for ‘22/‘23. MLB goal: to be able to streamline the process and add excitement ti the game.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2022

Out of the handful of items that Heyman listed, including rejecting robotic umpires, making bases larger and implementing a pitch clock, the item that received the most criticism was the ban on defensive shifts. 

Below are some of the best replies to Heyman’s tweet.

Why can’t the players learn to hit to the opposite field? We are now controlling where players can position themselves? This makes no sense. The hitters should adapt and learn to hit to the opposite field. Full stop this is ridiculous.

— FIELD OF HISTORY (@FieldofHistory) March 6, 2022

The people who run and play baseball are on a constant quest to ruin baseball and make it unwatchable.

Imagine if the PGA made holes bigger and stopped allowing sand traps and water hazards. Also, universal DH.

— Eric Owens (@ericowensdc) March 7, 2022

We don’t need a pitch clock or banned shifts. 10 dollar seats. 5 dollar parking. Kids need to be able to go.

— Harris-Walz 2024 (@GregProops) March 7, 2022

As for if and when a new CBA will be agreed to, it sounds like baseball fans are still in for a long wait. Heyman reported that both sides believe they’ve made significant concessions while believing the other side hasn’t done enough.

With the first couple sets of games already canceled this spring, it sounds like more could be coming if an agreement isn’t reached soon.