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Originally Posted by RchW
Great idea in principle but it seems to me that you would need to create an entirely new game engine for game lengths different than 9 innings. Shorter or longer games would have radically different pitcher use strategies. Batter value/usage would also be changed.
For example a 7-inning standard game could produce two radically different pitching strategies. Paired pitching with 4 innings or 2X through the lineup for the starter and his twin or leverage existing 5-6 inning starters and use paired lefty righty setup/closers for 2-innings. Either way you'd likely have 2 or 3 less pitchers per team. I have no idea what longer games would need.
Shorter games would likely push batter strategy away from high power high K to OBP and speed. With one less (at least) PA per game getting runners on base and moving them might work better. You might see IBB used more often on power hitters just to rob them of a HR opportunity. For example in a 7-inning game I'd consider walking Miguel Cabrera any time he came up with the bases empty and less than 2 out after his first PA.
As with pitching I have no idea what longer games would do.
Intriguing idea but a long shot for any realistic application IMO.
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You're clearly right, but it would be very cool to be able to mess with the fundamental rules of baseball in custom leagues.
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Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange
Well, not entirely. The minors leagues have for some time now used the rule that both games of a regular doubleheader are only 7 innings long. (A game played after the completion of a suspended game is also reduced to 7 innings.)
Which suggests to me a real-world aspect that would be nice to have: the ability to set a regular doubleheader as either two 9-inning games, a 9-inning game followed by a 7-inning game, or two 7-inning games. (These are the different rules the minors have followed over the years.)
Allowing a game still tied after a set number of innings to end as a tie would be nice too. (This is common in the Asian baseball leagues, and is used in the Arizona Fall League as well.)
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7 inning double-headers and allowing ties are definitely things I would like to see.