So I'm watching ML baseball tonight, Phillies vs Marlins

[PCIntern]

Beyond stupid...

They have cardboard cutouts behind home plate with various sizes of head size and body attributes. Piped in crowd noise. But that’s nothing: NL has DH AND extra innings start with an automatic runner at second base.

This is not baseball. This is bullshit.

I know, let’s play football with a 60 yard field and five in a side, first team to fumble or throw an interception loses.

Or NBA basketball, the hoop is doubled in size and lowered two feet.

Really.

[ProfessorGAC]

1. M'eh!

I'm not a fan of the DH, either but these are extraordinary circumstances.
If watching baseball on TV makes some people happy, and maybe keeps them home instead of bars, that's fine by me.

[underpants]

2. The Dodgers had cut outs too

I didn’t see the game just the highlights. As you probably also know the Nats just left the seats empty.

The crowd noise thing is good but really funny. The German Bundesliga didn’t use fake noise. The EPL did and actually got pretty good at it. They were adding in appropriate cheers for what was happening on the field as well as the clubs songs that fans sing.

[Hoyt]

3. Yeah, I tried yesterday. Not a big baseball fan nowadays, but this is awful.

Might watch the last few games in World Series if it goes 6 or 7 games. But, that’s about it.

[rurallib]

4. Sounds like slo-pitch softball at the local park

[Ohiogal]

5. They're doing the same thing

On the Indians-KC broadcast (cardboard cutouts, piped in crowd noise)

[Ferrets are Cool]

6. Simple, don't watch

You are the only one I've heard complaining. Almost everyone else has applauded it as the much needed injection this worn out sport needs to spice it up.

[PCIntern]

10. Well, excuuuuuuuse me for having an opinion

I’ve only been watching assiduously since 1957 so what do I know?

[JackintheGreen]

14. Oh, you didn't get the memo?

Boomers aren’t allowed opinions anymore. Only Gen-X and later (and it’s a real question if Gen-X should still get them).

[Celerity]

18. oh please

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213017831

[Mariana]

20. Yes, Boomers are so persecuted.

Bless your heart.

[JackintheGreen]

21. More fool you

I’m not a boomer.

Apparently I’m not much of a comedian, either.

[Mariana]

22. I think some equivalent of Poe's Law is in effect here.

There's so much silly ridiculous whining from some Boomers that sometimes, it's hard to know a parody when we see one.

Sorry about that.

[JackintheGreen]

24. No need

Keeping with tonight’s theme, I took a swing and whiffed. A bit like the Brewers tonight, actually.

[RhodeIslandOne]

16. If you haven't heard any complaining, you aren't paying attention

I'm a National League fan and do not like the DH and sticking a guy on second is in extras is just random nonsense.

I don't care about cutouts and crowd noise,

[a kennedy]

7. Love my brewers uniforms......Go Brewers Go.

and damn they’re down 2 -0.

[JackintheGreen]

13. Love the crews' unis but

Born and bred a Cubs fan. Just joking with my daughter they should sound-design crowd noise for “Ryan Braun strikes out again”

[a kennedy]

17. Shut up.....I love the Braun.....

Just happy live sports is available.....60 games.....Brewers and Twins World Series.

[Brother Buzz]

8. It is what it is, and we'll not get to see the unique skills of a National League managers

Baseball is a game of attrition, and watching National League managers manager a 28 man roster, the bull pen, and pinch hitters was one of the games within the game. It was interesting at time, especially in extra innings games. For now, that's on hiatus.

I'm more interested to see how Astros brand new manager, Dusty Baker, managers his Trademark toothpick and his required mask

[NightWatcher]

9. I hate the DH and that 2nd base BS in the 10th+

The photos in Philly were of local first responders and heroes. I like the pictures of fans and I dig the piped in music from the MLB video game.

But hey I'm just excited they're playing. BOOM Homerun Jesus!!! 3-1 Fish

Link to tweet

[Buckeye_Democrat]

11. The Reds aren't doing that stuff.

Tonight is the most MLB that I've watched over the last three seasons -- i.e., I saw maybe 9 innings total over the previous two seasons, but I've watched the entire game tonight.

I'm an extreme "fair weather fan" and don't watch when I know the Reds don't have the personnel to compete.

Edit: It's definitely weird to not see or hear a crowd.

[Kingofalldems]

12. The World Champs aren't doing that.

[RhodeIslandOne]

15. This is a throwaway year

They are going to try all the stuff they probably wouldn't get an agreement to in a full normal season.

[malachi]

19. Did you have the audio on? Some of the cutouts honor hospital workers.

Others are purchased by fans and the fees donated to Phillies charities. JFC.

[Goodheart]

23. Baseball sucks.

I've been watching live horse races from Saratoga.

[oasis]

25. Those seeking work were happy to get a job making those cutouts.

People getting paid is a good thing.

[PCIntern]

26. Ok. It's wonderful.

I’m so happy.

[Baclava]

27. Cards game had none of that, good game, some long ball, didn't miss a crowd, I had the sound off

[radius777]

28. The DH is used in every pro league in the world aside from the NL,

even NL teams' minor leagues use the DH.

The idea of the pitcher hitting (and risking injury) is stupid and a waste of time... yes I am an AL fan.

This year is just a year to experiment with things they've been wanting to try. The expanded playoffs will also give more teams a chance.

Most fans are just glad baseball is back even in altered form, and the players take it just as seriously, maybe even moreso as they have far less distractions (with social distancing/living in a bubble) than normal.