When Major League Baseball instituted their new extra inning rule ahead of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, it was not universally praised. No more would we see epic 19-inning games that featured utility infielders locking down a potent lineup in advance of his team winning a game in dramatic walk-off fashion.
Nor would we see a rookie shortstop in his Major League debut be a part of a dramatic, 20-inning marathon victory during an improbable playoff run.
Yes those are memories etched forever in the memory banks of every Phillies fan, and we won’t see their likes again unless the rules changes, but the reason for the rule was understandable.