Doubles and Triples Plummeting: The Extreme Drop and a Potential Rule Change?

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1. Doubles and Triples are Vanishing Current Situation (2025): The double rate has hit its lowest point since 1992. Triples are at historic lows. Fact Check: In 2007, there were over 9,000 doubles, but in 2025, that number dropped to the low 7,000s. Those satisfying 'gappers' down the lines are just not happening anymore.

2. Who's the Culprit? 'Analytics' and Defensive Positioning! Deep State Defense: Look at how outfielders play these days – they're practically hugging the fence. On average, they're positioned about 10 feet (roughly 3 meters) deeper than in 2015. Why? The data crunch shows that 'giving up a single is way less likely to result in runs than giving up a double.' It's a 'Sure, take the single, forget the extra bases' mentality. Outfielders are Becoming Physical Freaks: They're faster and cover more ground than before. Even hitters like Freddie Freeman, who used to hit what would have been doubles, are now hitting into outs because they're caught.

3. 'This is Boring!' The Solution: The 'Forced Forward Line'? Theo Epstein's Idea: He proposed drawing a 'defensive restriction line' on the outfield grass. What it is: Before the pitcher throws, outfielders wouldn't be allowed to play behind that line. Expected Effect: This would lead to more balls going over outfielders' heads, bringing back doubles and triples, and diversifying scoring. There's talk it might even be implemented around 2030. (They apparently tested it during the 2022 extended spring training.)

4. But Hitters are Divided Too Pro-Change Camp (e.g., Freeman, Bregman): 'Dude, too many balls are being caught. Let's regulate this.' Anti-Change Camp (e.g., Cronenworth, Donovan, Kwan): 'Too many rule changes; we'll adapt. We just need to hit better.' The league office seems really worried because scoring nowadays is basically just home runs or the resulting strikeouts. It's all one or the other. Meanwhile, the list of pros and cons is hilariously transparent lol.