Baseball is closer to banning the shift than I’d thought. According to ESPN.com, as soon as 2023, we could see a return to two infielders on each side of 2B and none playing in the outfield grass. At least that’s what it sounds like. It’s sure being studied rigorously.
MLB consultant Theo Epstein wrote in an e-mail to ESPN, "Ultimately, the new joint competition committee will determine whether the benefits of banning extreme shifts are worth the new 'intrusion' of limiting where teams can position their fielders within fair territory."
In other words, is it a good idea to limit how much teams can use their brains to override the other team’s brawn?