Manfred and the MLB are in talks with the NCAA about scheduling conflicts between the Draft and the CWSGETTY IMAGES
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said there will be heightened talks, both internally with the owners and externally with the MLBPA, about potential rule changes to improve the amount of on-field action. Manfred signaled a personal desire to veer away from a current style of play dominated by the three true outcomes of strikeouts, walks and home runs. “There will be conversations over the coming months about the way we’re playing the game on the field,” Manfred said. “Those conversations will be more in depth than just pace-of-game issues. But I’m not prepared to talk about individual changes in the rules. ... I would like to see more balls in play. The easiest way to explain my own personal views, which may not ultimately be the views the owners adopt, is I’d like to get the game back a little closer to the way it’s been played historically. More balls in play. Fewer strikeouts. And it’s sacreligious to say, maybe even fewer home runs.”
DRAFT TALKS: The first two rounds of the MLB Draft took place last night, and Manfred said talks with the NCAA about eliminating annual scheduling conflicts between the Draft and the College World Series are now involving other members of the college baseball community. “We’re going to make some progress [in resolving the conflicts],” Manfred said. “We’re not there, but we’ve had some ongoing conversations with the NCAA, with some important conferences, important college coaches.” Manfred did not commit last night to any changes to the current format in time for the ’19 Draft.
