Major League Baseball wants fan-friendlier batting practice

Giants right fielder Hunter Pence prepares to take batting practice during a workout for the National League wildcard baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson) less Giants right fielder Hunter Pence prepares to take batting practice during a workout for the National League wildcard baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie ... more Photo: Julie Jacobson, Associated Press Photo: Julie Jacobson, Associated Press Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Major League Baseball wants fan-friendlier batting practice 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Lost in the din over proposed rule changes to speed up the game, such as a pitch clock and a limit on mound visits, is a less-publicized proposal designed to enhance fan experience that is creating a buzz in big-league clubhouses.

Major League Baseball would like to flip-flop the long-held batting-practice schedule that has home teams hitting first and visitors second. The league would like the home team to go last so its fans can watch all of their favorite players hit.

Most home teams start batting practice before the gates open. The Giants, for instance, start hitting at about 4:45 p.m. for a night game and open the gates a half-hour later.

Recommended Video:

General manager Bobby Evans said the change could happen this year, but he understands the proposal was placed on hold with other changes the league wants to make that the Players Association needs to approve.

“There’s a lot to like about it,” Evans said, adding that the Giants have discussed the idea of flip-flopping batting practice. “It’s really something the players would have to embrace. From a logistical standpoint, there are other things at play besides making sure your fans see you at batting practice, but that’s the primary motivation.”

A lot of players dislike the idea, however. If they are going to have 90 minutes between batting practice and the first pitch, instead of 45, they prefer it at home in the comfort of their dining, lounging and workout facilities, which are superior to any they have in visiting clubhouses.

“That’s an advantage when you’re home,” Brandon Crawford said. “You want to try to get any advantage at home as you can.”

Assistant player representative Cory Gearrin said opinions are mixed and he has not heard strong arguments either way.

“I think it’s an interesting topic,” Gearrin said. “It would be nice for the home fans to come see our guys. At the same time, as a player, you want to enjoy your home-field advantage. We have great facilities at AT&T Park, and we want to take advantage of it.”

Moore’s debut: The Giants are seeing Matt Moore in spring training for the first time, and he definitely has no great expectations for the Cactus League.

“I usually stink in spring training,” he said.

Moore did not stink in his 12/3 innings against the Reds. He allowed a run and struck out three, including Joey Votto, but he walked two and showed the wildness that characterized his first two games with the Giants last year, when he walked 11 in 12 innings. In his final five regular-season games, he walked seven.

Moore had thrown to hitters only once in camp before Sunday’s game.

“There were definitely times today and throughout the season I’m going to go through those two-, three-pitch sequences where I’ve got to find a way not to give them a free pass,” he said.

Prospect Tyler Beede pitched two shutout innings in his debut. Beede is considered on the periphery of the fifth-starter competition, but even if he does not make the team out of spring training, the Giants expect to see him in the majors sometime this year.

No Cueto: Manager Bruce Bochy said he still has no timetable for Johnny Cueto’s arrival with spring training nearly one-third done. His participation in the World Baseball Classic already seems unlikely. Soon, the Giants will fret over his readiness for the season.

Cueto is caring for his ill father in the Dominican Republic.

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: hschulman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hankschulman

Giants 9, Reds 5

Notable: The Giants, who improved to 3-0, continued their power show in the early games against mostly prospects. Conor Gillaspie, Joe Panik and Jarrett Parker each hit two-run homers, Gillaspie against Tim Adleman, who is expected to be in the Reds’ rotation. Gillaspie also singled home a run and had three RBIs. Parker reached base all four times, adding a single and two walks to the homer. ... The Giants batted around and scored four third-inning runs against Robert Stephenson, who attended Alhambra High in Martinez.

Quotable: “He looks fresh. He does have a different look. He looks good.”

— Manager Bruce Bochy on Panik, who struggled late last year in the wake of a concussion.

Monday’s game: A’s vs. Giants, at Scottsdale, 12:05 p.m. Radio: 680