MLB could be set for a major rule change – and fans are not having it one bit.
The ‘Golden-At-Bat,’ discussed by commissioner Rob Manfred on John Ourand’s ‘The Varsity’ podcast, would theoretically allow teams to pick one at-bat per game to use their preferred hitter – rather than following the batting order.
Manfred told Ourand that there ‘was a little buzz around it at an owners’ meeting,’ but noted that things are in the ‘conversation-only stage right now.’
Nonetheless, the prospect of baseball making this change has elicited a consistently angry response among fans.
‘If this actually went into effect, I’d seriously consider giving up watching baseball,’ one said on X. ‘Holy hell.
‘Please tell me the ‘Golden At Bat’ rule is just an April fools joke a few months early,’ another fan added. ‘Someone needs to tell Manfred to stop watching Savannah Bananas games. You want to do something, stop the blackouts.’
In theory, the rule would allow a star like Aaron Judge to hit regardless of the batting order
Fans were quick to slam MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who spoke about the idea in October
A third fan continued the pile-on on Manfred, saying, ‘Please, for the love of God, get rid of Rob Manfred before he does irreparable damage to the only sport I love. This guy doesn’t have a single functioning brain cell in his head.’
‘One of the sweetest things about baseball is when an unlikely hero emerges in a big moment,’ a fourth opined. ‘Please do not do this.’
Manfred has overseen other rule changes in MLB, such as the pitch clock and ‘ghost runner’ rule in extra innings, in which a player starts on second in each inning.
However, the ‘Golden At-Bat’ – which could allow the Yankees to sub in Aaron Judge in the bottom of the ninth, for example – would change the game more dramatically.
According to The Athletic’s Jayson Stark, no details have been settled on, but several variations of the rule have been discussed.
It’s possible that the ‘Golden-At-Bat’ could be used at any point in a game, only in the seventh inning or later, or even only in the ninth or later, in positions where a team is tied or losing.
Stark relayed that people involved in the minor leagues expect the rule to be tested there over the next few years.
However, he predicted the first place the ‘Golden At-Bat’ could surface is the All-Star Game.
One MLB executive anonymously offered his support for the idea, while another (also anonymously) bashed it.
‘With the other rule changes … you’re trying to create the best version of baseball,’ he said. ‘But with this rule, the Golden At-Bat, it’s like you’re trying to create a different sport. You’re trying to create something else that’s kind of like baseball, but not really,’ he said.
With or without the new rule, the 2025 MLB season will begin on March 27.
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