JR Smith says David Blatt “Keeps it 100”: While We’re Waiting…
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February 23, 2015Rob Manfred, baseball’s new commissioner, has been on the job for a short period of time, but has already shown that he is not afraid to push Major League Baseball in new directions if he believes said changes will make for a better product for the fans.1
It was during just last season that Keith Olbermann and our own Craig questioned whether MLB even wants to speed up the games due to the extra potential revenue that could be obtained by creating a longer game.2
However, during the Arizona Fall League, MLB did institute several pace of play directives, including a 20-second pitch clock. The players, however, were not fans of the pitch clock itself and it was not added in the initial pace of play implementation to MLB games this season which were released late last week.
Here are the pace of play directives that MLB has pushed into the 2015 season. Note that these directives will result in a warning followed by fines for any players or teams in violation though the teams will be given until May before being penalized so that they can get used to them.
Rule 1
The pace of game program will enforce the batter’s box rule, requiring that all batters must keep at least one foot in the batter’s box unless one of a group of exceptions occurs. The new rule at the Major League level mirrors 6.02(d), which was in place in Minor League Baseball in 2014.
Rule 2
Immediately following the third out of each half-inning, the timer will count down from 2:25 for locally televised games and from 2:45 for nationally televised games. An MLB representative attending each game will operate the timers from the ballpark and will track the following events:
Time Remaining: Activity
40 Seconds: PA announces batter and begins to play walk-up music
30 Seconds: Pitcher throws final warm-up pitch
25 Seconds: Batter’s walk-up music ends
20 Seconds-5 Seconds: Batter enters the batter’s box
20 Seconds-0 Seconds: Pitcher begins motion to deliver pitch
Rule 3
Managers may now invoke instant replay from the dugout and will no longer be required to approach the calling umpire to challenge a call. Managers may hold play from the top step of the dugout by signaling to players and the home plate umpire that he is considering a challenge. A decision can be communicated verbally or with a hand signal. To challenge an inning-ending call, managers will be required to leave the dugout immediately in order to hold the defensive team on the field.
Cleveland Indians skipper Terry Francona is a fan of the changes “It’s something I know that MLB has been really, not only talking about, but investigating and doing research in the [Arizona] Fall League and in the Minor Leagues,” he said on Friday. “I’m a fan of what they’re trying to do.” “I think the clock is actually really good,” said the manager. “I think it makes it easier for the pitchers. When they see the clock, they know, ‘Hey, man, when it hits zero, we’re ready to go.’ ”
Nick Swisher, however, is not a fan of them. “This is the greatest game ever made. You don’t need to mess with it,” Swisher said. “Like, [the clock], this ain’t basketball. This isn’t a game where you show up and there’s a time limit. That’s what’s great about the game of baseball. There is no time limit.”
And, finally, a gratuitous link to one of Jon’s recaps because pitch clock discussion briefly occurred.
7 Comments
I have seen the new rules, but not the penalties for breaking the rules. Anyone know what they are? There is also one that says the pitcher has X seconds between pitches. What happens if he breaks the clock? A ball is added?
Wouldn’t that punish the batter, though? Having to try to pick which ball to hit? Oh, you meant . . .
I’m torn on this. On the one hand, I do think that the game has become ridiculously long and drawn-out. The constant preening of overpaid prima donnas can be exhausting. On the other hand, I tend to agree with Swisher (even if he may not be entirely accurate). One of the great things about baseball is that there is no clock. The game takes as long as the game takes. And it could be worse. At least it’s not cricket!
Just a series of fines for now. $500 is the amount I have seen, but there were not many details about if it could escalate from there or not (on the MLB press release). The fines will not start until May.
Gameplay is not going to be changed by these rules. If you want more time, then you just have to buy that time (by paying the fine).
Swisher is a moron. A few years ago I watched a 1969 world series game, and virtually no batter strolled between pitches. They did keep one foot in the box as they got a sign and the game proceeded. The Mike Hargroves’ and Walt Williams’ were allowed to start adjusting/readjusting/adjusting, the pitchers started to walk in circles and then the batters started walking before they did their extended routines. The greatest game was messed with, beginning in the ’70s, and the umpires couldn’t/wouldn’t rein it in, even when occasionally told to do so.
Okay, okay. I’ll get off the grass. Sheesh.
And take the moron with you. Tell him he becomes maybe slightly charming at about the .260/15 HR level. Until then the beat writers can take a few steps more to the next locker for a quote and still make their tee time. [No, nothing’s wrong. Ok, maybe the cold juxtaposed against Swisher’s rattling cans for brains]