Manfred looking at relief pitcher limits in game

[King]

Holy f***. Why?

 

 

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/17118662/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-says-looking-possible-limits-use-relief-pitchers-games

 

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred acknowledged that MLB is looking at possibly limiting the use of relief pitchers in games.

 

Manfred was a guest Thursday on ESPN's Mike & Mike where he was presented nine suggestions from fans for improving baseball. One suggestion was some sort of restriction on the use of relief pitching in an inning or game.

 

"I am in favor of something like that," Manfred said. "We (MLB) spend a ton of time on this issue in the last few months."

 

"You know the problem with relief pitchers is that they're so good. I've got nothing against relief pitchers but they do two things to the game; the pitching changes themselves slow the game down and our relief pitchers have become so dominate at the back end that they actually rob action out of the end of the game, the last few innings of the game. So relief pitchers is a topic that is under active consideration. We're talking about that a lot internally."

 

This year, the average time of a game is 3 hours, 4 minutes. By comparison, in 2005 games averaged 2 hours, 49 minutes.

[BTS]

That's f***ing stupid.

[Cyborg]

Im all for in-inning pitching changes to have max 2 warmup pitches and no commercial break, but limiting because of how good they are is weird.

[Hipfan]

I wonder if the stats back up his argument that there is less action in the games now because of "dominant" relief pitching? I remember reading an article somewhere a year or two ago stating that starting pitchers were pitching about the same amount of innings now then they were 30 years ago. So that would indicate that relief pitchers are pitching about the same amount of innings as well; have runs decreased in the last 3 innings of games now, compared to 30 years ago, or even 10?

[King]

I wonder if the stats back up his argument that there is less action in the games now because of "dominant" relief pitching? I remember reading an article somewhere a year or two ago stating that starting pitchers were pitching about the same amount of innings now then they were 30 years ago. So that would indicate that relief pitchers are pitching about the same amount of innings as well; have runs decreased in the last 3 innings of games now, compared to 30 years ago, or even 10?

 

I love seeing dominant relievers come in and strike out the side. Apparently Manfred doesn't consider that "action" though. I assume he means home runs, which are actually up this year.

[Dr. Dinger]

R-word

[Governator]

wtf.. that's the dumbest thing I've ever read. This isn't the NHL.

 

If players stayed in the box after each pitch like they are suppose to it'd easily shave time off. What happened to that rule?

[LGBJ29]

If the goal is to make relief pitchers less effective, I bet they'll be thrilled when their already small role is shrinks, and the same happens to their pay cheques

[BTS]

Seriously, is "relievers are too good" actually on anybody's list of grievances with the current state of baseball?

[fireballW]

Does slow the game down though. I really don't care about managers playing the matchups and stuff. It is dumb reasoning that they are too good, but I wouldn't hate the idea of only one pitching change per inning.

[BTS]

Does slow the game down though. I really don't care about managers playing the matchups and stuff. It is dumb reasoning that they are too good, but I wouldn't hate the idea of only one pitching change per inning.

 

It would be easy to get around that. Have a sign set up for "hold your arm like you're sore - I'm coming to take you out". The league can't force teams to leave pitchers in the game if their personal health is at risk.

[Sammy225]

Seriously, is "relievers are too good" actually on anybody's list of grievances with the current state of baseball?

 

Its on my list right after Chapman throws too hard.

[rancher]

Limiting the time outs called by a batter would help speed up the game. Once/appearance at the plate other than an unexpected obstruction; ie , something in the eye, would speed the game up.

 

wtf.. that's the dumbest thing I've ever read. This isn't the NHL.

 

If players stayed in the box after each pitch like they are suppose to it'd easily shave time off. What happened to that rule?

[jaysblue]

I love seeing dominant relievers come in and strike out the side. Apparently Manfred doesn't consider that "action" though. I assume he means home runs, which are actually up this year.

 

It seems like Manfred was a big fan of Kevin Gregg closing out games.

[Grant77]

Seriously, is "relievers are too good" actually on anybody's list of grievances with the current state of baseball?

 

It certainly isn't on the list of any Blue Jays opponents.

[jaysblue]

It would be easy to get around that. Have a sign set up for "hold your arm like you're sore - I'm coming to take you out". The league can't force teams to leave pitchers in the game if their personal health is at risk.

 

I'm sure the league then would make a rule that if pitchers are taken out because their arm is sore, then they have to be placed on the DL right after or can't pitch in a game for like 5 days or something to that extent.

[King]

So if the reliever you put in is getting obliterated you wouldn't be able to take him out. So dumn

[Spanky99]

f*** speeding up the game, baseball is great.

[jaysblue]

So if the reliever you put in is getting obliterated you wouldn't be able to take him out. So dumn

 

Yeah it really restricts a manager, which is something I'm not a fan of. The issue of pitch count becomes an issue as well. You don't want a reliever throwing more than 30-40 pitches in any outing. Just a tough rule to iron out and likely would never work.

[KevinGregg]

Instead of removing some of the pitching changes, why not remove the slow waddle out to the mound that every manager does before a pitching change. They don't have to waddle out to the outfield to change the RF why do they have to waddle out to change the pitcher... Just have the pitcher run in from the pen. And then don't break for 2 minutes for commercials every time there is a pitching change that is ridiculous.

 

This would save at least 15 minutes on average per game I think without changing the game completely.

[TheHurl]

It would be easy to get around that. Have a sign set up for "hold your arm like you're sore - I'm coming to take you out". The league can't force teams to leave pitchers in the game if their personal health is at risk.

 

Three pitchers in an inning...1 of the three cannot be used for 3 games. I think it is a stupid rule consideration but it is the facing one batter stuff that casual fans get annoyed with. Must face two batters or go on the DL (maybe a 7 day DL) is another thought but I can think of a zillion situations where this would be stupid. He has been put in charge of speeding up games though and this is the one of the reasons it is slower

[BTS]

Three pitchers in an inning...1 of the three cannot be used for 3 games. I think it is a stupid rule consideration but it is the facing one batter stuff that casual fans get annoyed with. Must face two batters or go on the DL (maybe a 7 day DL) is another thought but I can think of a zillion situations where this would be stupid. He has been put in charge of speeding up games though and this is the one of the reasons it is slower

 

Simple solution: get warm in the pen, no warmup pitches on the mound, no commercial break for pitching changes. Boom, at least 10 minutes cut off game times.

[TheHurl]

Instead of removing some of the pitching changes, why not remove the slow waddle out to the mound that every manager does before a pitching change. They don't have to waddle out to the outfield to change the RF why do they have to waddle out to change the pitcher... Just have the pitcher run in from the pen. And then don't break for 2 minutes for commercials every time there is a pitching change that is ridiculous.

 

This would save at least 15 minutes on average per game I think without changing the game completely.

 

Baseball TV contracts aew in the billions of $$$. No way they cut commercial time. No anthems makes a f*** of a lot of sense too but that will never happen either

[Effit]

It certainly isn't on the list of any Blue Jays opponents.

 

lol

[jaysblue]

Maybe enforce the pitch clock between pitches forcing the pitcher to get back on the mound to deliver his pitch to the batter. I know there is already a clock though it's not strictly enforced. If a pitcher goes over his lets say 20 second clock, then a ball is rewarded to the hitter etc.

 

As well, someone mentioned that when doing a pitching change, there is no need for the manager to go out to the mound. Substitutions in any sport don't have a manager or coach going out on the floor or field to substitute a player. Funny when you actually think about it.

 

Additionally, shocked it wasn't mentioned the time instant replay/challenges have taken. It's absurd that a manager can wait close to a minute before officially challenging the play. Should be like in football, where a flag is thrown from the dugout right on the spot.

[Spanky99]

How about leave the game alone, besides the umps!

[Maahfaace]

Maybe enforce the pitch clock between pitches forcing the pitcher to get back on the mound to deliver his pitch to the batter. I know there is already a clock though it's not strictly enforced. If a pitcher goes over his lets say 20 second clock, then a ball is rewarded to the hitter etc.

 

As well, someone mentioned that when doing a pitching change, there is no need for the manager to go out to the mound. Substitutions in any sport don't have a manager or coach going out on the floor or field to substitute a player. Funny when you actually think about it.

 

Additionally, shocked it wasn't mentioned the time instant replay/challenges have taken. It's absurd that a manager can wait close to a minute before officially challenging the play. Should be like in football, where a flag is thrown from the dugout right on the spot.

 

Gibby would be in favor of not waddling his fat ass out to mound, thats for sure.

[Abomination]

Just force the pitcher to complete 3 PA or reach the end of an inning before they can be taken out (barring injury). That eliminates 3 or 4 pitching changes an inning (probably), but still protects the pitchers and allows some strategy.

[Maahfaace]

Just force the pitcher to complete 3 PA or reach the end of an inning before they can be taken out (barring injury). That eliminates 3 or 4 pitching changes an inning (probably), but still protects the pitchers and allows some strategy.

 

f*** that, just leave the game alone. There are many other little things stated in above posts that could be implemented that would speed up the game without actually altering it.

[Cyborg]

How about pitcher cannot be set for more than 3 seconds and batters cannot call time when in the box. Eliminate the stupid hold and call time game. Would help basestealers too, which creates more "excitement".