http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/02/20/387771647/batter-up-already-mlb-tries-to-speed-up-the-2015-season
Good.
About time.
Overdue.
The players brought it on themselves.
Quote from: Groin_pull on February 22, 2015, 07:47:04 AM
The players brought it on themselves.
+1
And watch how outraged the big Papi's of baseball get when they are called for taking too much time.
Quote from: Heisenberg on February 22, 2015, 08:52:05 AM
+1
And watch how outraged the big Papi's of baseball get when they are called for taking too much time.
*IF* the umpires actually decide to enforce the rules.
Still need some sort of pitching clock.
Quote from: warriorchick on February 22, 2015, 08:59:26 AM
Still need some sort of pitching clock.
Exists today to some extent, they just don't enforce it.
Before baseball parks were lit, umpires enforced rules to keep the games moving at a good clip to avoid finishing the games in darkness or ending the games before nine innings due to darkness. As parks added lights, the umpires who were used to keeping the game moving along eventually retired and the new hires didn't make it a point of emphasis.
Its not that difficult to speed up the action. Do what they do in youth and high school leagues everywhere. Batters must keep one foot in the batter's box at all times. The umpire doesn't have to grant time to a hitter who asks for it. Do those two things and count catcher's visits to the mound like you would a manager's visit and the game would move along just fine.
Yep, it's not that hard.
Will be some growing pains, but the players will adjust.
Also, in the long run, I would argue the players will like it better. You think it's fun standing around in the outfield while the batter adjusts his batting gloves 15 times?
Even golf has pace of play rules on the professional level, and most guys adjust quickly.
I'm old-school, but I love a good 2 hour 2-0 game. Mark Burhle was the best.
Quote from: The Sultan of Sunshine on February 22, 2015, 08:52:54 AM
*IF* the umpires actually decide to enforce the rules.
Bingo. This isn't the same level as the "neighborhood play" when turning two, but I too seriously wonder how closely this will be enforced.
Quote from: Benny B on February 23, 2015, 02:52:24 PM
Bingo. This isn't the same level as the "neighborhood play" when turning two, but I too seriously wonder how closely this will be enforced.
My understanding is that there is no "in game" method of enforcement. The umpire could tell the batter to get back in the box, but what if he chooses not to? They way I've seen it presented is that it is a series fines and possibly a suspension for cumulative behavior.
I suppose an ump COULD eject someone if the player starts arguing about it?
Quote from: copious1218 on February 23, 2015, 03:22:02 PM
My understanding is that there is no "in game" method of enforcement. The umpire could tell the batter to get back in the box, but what if he chooses not to? They way I've seen it presented is that it is a series fines and possibly a suspension for cumulative behavior.
I suppose an ump COULD eject someone if the player starts arguing about it?
A long while back I saw an umpire order a hitter back into the box and when he didn't comply (I know I saw this, but I'm afraid I can't remember teams involved or year), he waved the pitcher on and the pitcher pitched and the pitch was called a strike while the batter looked on from outside the batter's box.
That or just eject him. Do that and the problem wouild stop very quickly.
If the batter doesn't comply, he's called out and it's counted as a K in the box score. If a pitcher doesn't comply, the batter gets an automatic walk. No exceptions.
Guys would change their behavior very quickly.
It's not complicated.
The ump points and tells the batter to get in the box. If the batter just stands there, then the ump can tell the pitcher that the ball is live and they can pitch if they want.
Batters will get in the box.
I think there will be some transition, but realistically, it's just a general change in urgency. Nothing with how the game is fundamentally played.
You know, I actually would be in favor of football shortening the play clock as well. I'm sure the league won't do it because they like all of the downtown during a game for replays, ad reads, etc.
But, I like watching hurry-up offenses. Shorten the playclock by another 5 seconds, and get the teams moving a little quicker.
Quote from: Canned Goods n Ammo on February 23, 2015, 11:30:54 AM
I'm old-school, but I love a good 2 hour 2-0 game. Mark Burhle was the best.
this
Nothing like watching Buehrle piss off a bunch of batters because he waited a total of 5 seconds between each pitch. Greg maddux was like that too, always fun to watch
Quote from: Heisenberg on February 22, 2015, 08:52:05 AM
+1
And watch how outraged the big Papi's of baseball get when they are called for taking too much time.
Good call:
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/12381319/david-ortiz-boston-red-sox-calls-bs-mlb-pace-rules
unnatural carnal knowledge Papi.
Look, I'm a Brewers and Braun fan. But he must wear out the velcro on his batting gloves in a week. Stand in there and hit the damn ball.
I think CT was right. In the old days darkness settled in and the umps moved things along. Baseball is a wonderful game when played 'old school'. Six pitchers a game and stepping out on every pitch is absurd. 162 games and the cream eventually rises. May 15th shouldn't be played like Game 7 of the WS. Play ball.
By the way, I'm going to spend a couple days 'scouting' the Crew in Arizona. Gotta wash this basketball season away and start anew. 'Juuuuuust a bit outside!'
Do you guys remember Nomar Garciaparra's ritual? I swear it must have taken 2 minutes before he was ready for a pitch
Nothing beats Mike Hargrove, "The Human Rain Delay"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tGm_JajqLo
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tGm_JajqLo)
http://<iframe%20width="560"%20height="315"%20src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/97lgR41qZC8"%20frameborder="0"%20allowfullscreen></iframe>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lgR41qZC8
Chicago White Sox
https://www.youtube.com/embed/LzWVDyqTolI"%20frameborder="0"%20allowfullscreen></iframe>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzWVDyqTolI
Cleveland
Quote from: WI_inferiority_complexes on February 26, 2015, 11:23:10 AM
Nothing beats Mike Hargrove, "The Human Rain Delay"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tGm_JajqLo
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tGm_JajqLo)
"Human Rain Delay" is a moniker reserved exclusively for Claudio Vargas around these parts.