Pace of game rules

[Jonzo]

What are everyone's thoughts on the pace of game rules MLB is proposing? If you haven't seen them, they are here:

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12375199/mlb-explains-changes-pace-game-policy

 

I like most of it, however one thing I didn't think about until Ortiz's rant today was that when a player steps out of the box, they are using this opportunity to think about what is coming up next, strategically. I didn't really think about that until he mentioned it, I just found it interesting and valid.

 

Here's his rant:

 

[Laika]

• Managers are being told they can still wait for their video consultants to let them know whether to challenge a play and that they won't necessarily be under any pressure to challenge plays more quickly.

 

Not a fan of that non-change.

[HERPDERP]

I think it's good overall for the sport. For the casual fan, baseball is very boring because of all that lolly-gagging that goes on during the action. The pitcher going off the mound, the hitter going in circles, e.t.c.

 

I understand Ortiz's argument but it can go the other way as well. Pitchers may need time to rethink their pitching sequence based on what happened in the previous pitch (like when a hitter fouled a fastball straight back - should I throw another fastball but out of the zone or play against them and throw an off-speed?)

 

But I think the biggest disruption in this change is the hitter's comfortability. These mannerisms make the hitter comfortable. Removing that could take awhile to get used to.

[Jonzo]

It'll be interesting to see if Ortiz actually doesn't change anything.

[flafson]

I really doubt you would get more than a 5min per gave cause of it.

The number one cause of the game being slow is pitchers taking their time between pitches, you take that time down and you save an hour per game.

[reedjohnsonfan]

I really doubt you would get more than a 5min per gave cause of it.

The number one cause of the game being slow is pitchers taking their time between pitches, you take that time down and you save an hour per game.

 

Yeah for sure. Ortiz makes a good point. Honestly they are targeting the smaller problems here. Guys taking forever to throw a pitch is easily the most annoying part of the game. The challenges last year were awful but it looks like they are trying to make adjustments for that.

[Jonzo]

However with that said, I don't think it's unreasonable that MLB is asking players to keep one foot in the box. I mean, you could think about the next pitch while keeping one foot in. Wtf is the big deal.

[reedjohnsonfan]

^^^ that's a good point too. But you would agree, batters stepping out of the box is not the biggest problem, right?

[o2cui2i]

there has been a time rule for pitchers for years. no one follows it, but it's there

 

 

Rule 8.04 from Major League Baseball's official rules:

 

When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter

within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call "Ball."

 

The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

 

The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.

[Jonzo]

^^^ that's a good point too. But you would agree, batters stepping out of the box is not the biggest problem, right?

 

Fully agree. There's good points on both sides I guess. I think we all agree, pitchers taking 10 minutes between pitches is a huge issue.

[o2cui2i]

Fully agree. There's good points on both sides I guess. I think we all agree, pitchers taking 10 minutes between pitches is a huge issue.

 

shaking off 25 signs from the catcher and then the catcher going out to the mound wastes the most time of anything. Yankees do it more than any other team

[Jonzo]

I absolutely hate all of this pace of game ********. I'm going to vent a little here...

 

Baseball is fine. There are too many commercials is all. As if they would ever shorten those up.

 

Baseball is the only game without a clock and now they want to start making time limits on things? f*** that. I love the pauses between pitches, batters, etc - it allows for more colour commentary. It allows for more beer drinking. Baseball is perfect the way it is and I don't want to see any changes other than forcing the managers to challenge from the dugout.

 

The only people who think baseball games are long and boring are not baseball fans, and I don't give a rats ass what they think!

 

I agree to a certain extent. As o2 mentioned, sometimes it can be over the top too much. I don't think 5 signs, then a mound visit should be allowed.

[Stangstag]

The thing is, if people think baseball is boring then they won't watch it. Making the games 30 minutes shorter will not attract more viewers.

 

Baseball fans will watch regardless, but the only thing these new rules are doing is pissing off longtime baseball fans and the actual players.

[Orgfiller]

I agree with the sentiment in this thread. The Papelbons of this world are the ones that need to be addressed.

[Orgfiller]

The thing is, if people think baseball is boring then they won't watch it. Making the games 30 minutes shorter will not attract more viewers.

 

Baseball fans will watch regardless, but the only thing these new rules are doing is pissing off longtime baseball fans and the actual players.

 

This is what I've always thought. But I guess you can attract more casuals if you can at least shorten the game a bit to make it follow the same pace of the other professional leagues.

[Stangstag]

This is what I've always thought. But I guess you can attract more casuals if you can at least shorten the game a bit to make it follow the same pace of the other professional leagues.

 

I personally don't think so. Either you like the sport or you don't.

[baloojayz]

Baseball is not and will never be a game for casual fans, just like golf. You can go through an entire game without a hr, about the only thing that would appeal to a casual fan. Also one of the most spectacular history making events in baseball is when a pitcher throws a no hitter. A no hitter would bore the crap out of casual fans.

They are risking losing their current fans and players and just ruining the game in general.

[Dick_Pole]

I would love to see a baseball game from the 1950's or before that. If the "pace" of the game from the players was any quicker when games lasted less than two hours. You want to know what the big difference between 2015 and 1950? TV, specifically TV commercial breaks. They are attacking the game itself when it's the TV breaks and other frivolities you see at the ballpark (usually to appeal to kids and casual fans in the first place) that are the biggest culprit in slowing things down compared to the old days.

 

Other than my ass being uncomfortable and my legs being cramped in those s***** Rogers Center seats, I really have no need to have the game rushed through. It took me an hour to get downtown I might as well make it a day-long event. But if you're that desperate to speed up the game, why not cut commercial breaks in half and save 30 minutes instead of squeezing the players for 5 minutes? I'm not actually requesting that, but that's the best solution if you want to speed the game up, presumably for the casuals who go to the ballpark.

 

Looks like Manfred is off to a great start, picking up right where steroids boy Selig left off.

[Deadpool]

I think a fair compromise is that you can only leave the batters box to do this:

 

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Warming-the-bat.gif

[S33n]

I agree with the sentiment in this thread. The Papelbons of this world are the ones that need to be addressed.

 

IMO Jason Fraser is by far the worst for this.