Hi Mike...

Yup... 30 teams... don't know how I arrived at 26...

I don't have a problem with platooning players, as in the case with Flaherty. I myself believe in platoon match-ups.

My only concern is when I see people starting players who had only 30 at-bats versus one side. I won't go into it much here as I've gone in depth above, but I really thing that a simple limitation on players who did not meet a minimum amount of at-bats versus a side will help the game.

It'll stop things like the situation my friend faced coming down the homestretch in his battle for a wild card spot. Essentially, his opponent pulled a little-known little-used player who had excellent stats versus one side, benched his regular player, and played this limited guy as a full time starter with the sole purpose of utlizing his extremely high batting average. Currently there is nothing to stop a manager from drafting and keeping a couple "bombs" on his farm team, that he can bring up in a moments notice to deal great offensive blows in a critical series. This is the only concern I really have.

As for the pitching, I understand the concept behind the "strengthed" hitting pool (20 teams from 30), but still have to believe that the pitching shouldn't suffer as severely as I've seen it. Granted... this last series has been somewhat better after the singles fix.

In all of baseball no ONE single player controls the pace and outcome of a game. The batter does not controls the game. When a pitcher is "on his game" no batter can stand in against him. When Clemens, or Maddux, or Ryan, or any of the great pitchers take the mound, you knew that not even the BEST of hitters were going to reach base like they normally do. Even in the common vernacular when a player hits a home run it is often refered to as a pitcher "making a mistake." I just hate to see "ace" pitchers constantly giving up hit after hit after hit, and homerun after homerun to average joes.

Ah well... if the limitation things is implemented, I think it'll make things better.

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

R