In an attempt to create a young MLB fan base — the median age of television viewership is 56 — Cal Ripken Jr. wants to shake up youth baseball to “energize” the game.
“We want to put out some ideas, and try some things," Ripken said, via USA Today. “Look, if someone doesn’t know how to coach baseball, it can be the most boring sport in the world, sharing one ball with eight players and a pitcher. Let’s try different elements.”
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Those different elements could include:
— Starting every inning with a runner on first base
— Starting each inning with a different count
— Requiring players to steal
— And, switching from three outs an inning to five batters
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who hired Ripken as a special advisor, said kids that play baseball tend to grow up as fans.