Iowa Cubs President Sees Merit in That Runner-On-2nd-Base Extra Innings Rule

I like to think of myself as an open-minded dude. I like to hear and consider both sides of pretty much everything, and am open to all reasonable perspectives. When I land on a firm opinion, I still usually leave open some shade of gray or area of nuance where I could still have my thoughts changed, at least at the margins.

I found that exercise in understanding to be very difficult when it came to that extra-innings-start-with-a-runner-on-second-base rule thingy, however. For those who don’t recall, there were reports and whispers in the offseason that MLB was considering – at some level – a rule that would look to artificially end extra-innings games sooner by starting each half of the inning after the Xth inning with a runner on second base. I hated it.

And then the rule was actually implemented, though not in the big leagues. In the minor leagues. I still hated it, but mostly because I feared it was a trial balloon for implementing the rule in the big leagues, too. I do recognize the value of the rule in the minors, though, without the same need for marathon games and the increased need to protect younger players. But, generally speaking, I still really don’t like it, and I wasn’t sure how it was actually being received in the minor leagues anyway.

Well, now I’ve got to gulp down a whole heaping tablespoon of considering both sides, because the Cubs’ AAA Iowa President and GM Sam Bernabe spoke with ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick for a piece on how the rule is working, and … gulp … it seems like he kinda likes it.

“I don’t know that it would ever happen at the big-league level,” Bernabe told Crasnick. “When we first got into it I thought, ‘There’s no way on earth they would ever do this.’ But maybe it’s something they can look at and study and get some sort of fan perspective. What do people think? ‘Here’s how it’s working at the minor league level. Should we try it for a certain series of games?’ That’s purely my opinion. Obviously, it could never be used in a playoff or a World Series situation. But I guess at this point, I would never say never. From what I’ve seen, it has some merit from the fan reaction and a business standpoint. I think it has some legs.”

Bernabe went on to discuss the positive business impact of the rule, and there are other plaudits in the article from other observers (including Myrtle Beach Pelicans manager Buddy Bailey) on how it’s working. Whether you hate the rule or not, it’s a good read from Crasnick.

So, then, gaining this perspective – that people on the ground in the Cubs’ organization like the way the rule works – am a little more open to this being a good thing for the sport?

… NO! Er, well, I mean, not at the big league level anyway. It seems to me that the best arguments for having this rule in the minor leagues (reduces costs for smaller MiLB franchises, protects young players, shortens games in a more family-focused environment) don’t really apply in the same way at the big league level. Even those who like the rule in the minors seem to concede that it’s hard to see it working the same way in the big leagues.

Thus, I’m now more fine with the rule being in place at the minor league level than I was before getting this added perspective. Thank you for that, Jerry Crasnick and Sam Bernabe. I am also still resolute in my belief that the rule should NOT be brought to the big league level, as I previously discussed here.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Maybe the Cubs Are the Favorites in the NL Central, After All?

ESPN was the first to throw some love the Cubs way this week, with an overwhelming majority of their writers, analysts, and editors picking the Chicago Cubs to win the NL Central in 2024. But the love doesn't end there....

The Season Begins, Love for Morel, Counsell’s Value, and Other Cubs Bullets

You know where you want to spend your Opening Day morning? The hospital! Suffice to say, this is not how I imagined getting HYPED for the Cubs' opener. I guess I'll just have to think about all the possible lineup...

Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

The 2024 Chicago Cubs for Dummies

Boom. We made it. The offseason is over, and the Cubs regular season - and those elevated expectations - begins tomorrow. But in case you slept through the winter, I'm here to catch you up on everything you need to...

I’m Expecting More This Year, Cubs — It’s Time to Start Winning

There's no way around it: The Chicago Cubs did *not* have the offseason we hoped they might after making Craig Counsell the highest paid manager in MLB history. Not that they did poorly, mind you. Cody Bellinger, Shota Imanaga, and...

I Dug Deep on the Cubs 2024 Schedule (And I Like What I See)

Finally, with Cody Bellinger in the fold, we can start focusing more seriously on the season ahead. So today, I thought we'd take a look at the Cubs 2024 schedule. You can flip through the Cubs 2024 schedule right here...

Here’s What I’m Betting on the Cubs for Opening Day

I get it. Sports betting isn't for everyone — like, say, the interpreter for an international baseball superstar — but some of us quite enjoy it! If you are one of those people, this article is for you. Below, I'm...

WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

Why Craig Counsell Wanted Miles Mastrobuoni on the Cubs’ Bench

I don't know why Miles Mastrobuoni bugs some folks, but it's probably heavily-weighted toward his small-sample, bad-batted-ball-luck start last year, and that time he didn't dive while playing in right field. It can be hard to shake initial impressions, I...

Latest News

Guardians vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Cleveland Guardians (0-0) and the Oakland Athletics (0-0) square off on Thursday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for Opening Day. First pitch is at 10:07 PM ET.The Guardians will call on Shane Bieber versus the Athletics and Alex Wood.Guardians vs....

Mariners vs. Red Sox Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Seattle Mariners (0-0) open their 2024 season with a home contest against the Boston Red Sox (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.The Mariners will look to Luis Castillo against the Red Sox and Brayan Bello.Mariners...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

The Arizona Diamondbacks (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a home matchup against the Colorado Rockies (0-0) on Thursday, with first pitch at 10:10 PM ET.The Diamondbacks will give the nod to Zac Gallen against the Rockies and Kyle Freeland.Diamondbacks...

Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft: Wild Crossroads at 28 – Offense or Defense?

The Buffalo Bills stand at a crossroads. The 2024 NFL Draft looms, and the 28th pick presents a fascinating dilemma. This Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft analyzes 10 different options that could be available to them at their current...

How to Watch Celtics vs. Hawks: Live Stream or on TV

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) hope to continue a three-game home winning stretch when hosting the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET.In their last time out, the Celtics lost 120-118 to the Hawks on Monday....

Rangers vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Texas Rangers look to start their season with a win as home favorites (-120) in a season-opening matchup with the Chicago Cubs. First pitch is on Thursday at 7:35 PM ET on ESPN, live from Globe Life Field.Texas' Nathan...

Dejounte Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

Will Dejounte Murray make four 3-pointers when the Atlanta Hawks face the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Dejounte Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsDejounte Murray's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Celtics – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Bogdan Bogdanovic needs to make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Atlanta Hawks meet the Boston Celtics on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the CelticsBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under...

Jayson Tatum Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, it'll be the Boston Celtics versus the Atlanta Hawks, with Jayson Tatum needing three treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Jayson Tatum's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJayson Tatum's over/under for three-pointers in this game:...

Jaylen Brown Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Thursday, March 28, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, Jaylen Brown must make three from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Boston Celtics play the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday at 7:30 PM ET.Jaylen Brown's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksJaylen Brown's over/under for...

more cubs news