MLB introduces rules to speed up the pace of games.

[Northern Star]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12351883/major-league-baseball-announce-pace-play-rules

 

I'm a big fan of the batters having to keep a foot in the box and the timed pitching changes, and I'm warming to the idea of a pitch clock.

[Palodios]

I am highly in favor of speeding up the game, and I have talked to that at length.

 

However, I recently heard about the TBS ******** where they are speeding up Seinfeld to 1.07x speed in order to fit in more commercials. If done properly, this will help the game significantly. If they use it to squeeze more money out of fans, I doubt it will go over well.

[Spudboy]

I think that these moves will have a negligible effect on the pace of the game.

 

For there to be shorter games, commercial breaks would have to be shorter and less frequent.

 

That will never happen.

[Kimmi]

I am not in favor of a pitch clock.

 

I can live with these rules that they are planning to incorporate this season.

 

As Spud says, the commercial breaks have to be shorter and especially less frequent. The 150 pitching changes in the last 3 innings of a game take FOREVER.

[Ogden]

Didn't Nomar keep one foot in the box when he went through his routine? Keeping one foot in the box may not speed anything up the way MLB hopes.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Other changes include:

 

- Umpires will no longer wait for CC Sabathia's stomach jiggling to come to a complete stop before signaling the start of the inning

 

- To cut down on time spent on disputed safe/out calls past second base, all runners who pass second base will be automatically awarded an inside-the-park homerun

 

- Celebrated hipster Brian Wilson will no longer be allowed to use the complete unedited version of "Alice's Restaurant" as his introduction music

 

- Jim Joyce will be granted three syllables in which to call a strike; he will be fined five thousand dollars for each syllable beyond that

 

- Tim Lincecum will be barred from taking Funyun breaks after the sixth inning

 

- In lieu of a lineup card, the Houston Astros will present the umpiring crew chief with a formal declaration of unconditional surrender

 

- Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher will be confined to a seated position in the dugout by armed security guards

 

- Rain delays will be abolished in favor of the new "there is no drying in baseball" policy

 

- All players will be required to take laxatives before games; with the understanding that there will be no restroom breaks until the contest is over

 

- The number of pitching changes will be limited to three, unless the guy being replaced and the guy replacing him look enough alike to confuse someone of a different ethnic background

[Kimmi]

Ha ha Youk. Nice job! Started my day off with a good laugh.

[Spudboy]

I don't fully understand the one foot in the box thing.

 

Also, if a player swings and fails to put the ball in play it seems that he can still step out and do his ritual OCD adjustment of gloves, testicles, etc.

 

We have at least two major offenders on this team in Pedroia and Ortiz.

 

I think these changes are stupid.

[Ogden]

Other changes include:

 

- All players will be required to take laxatives before games; with the understanding that there will be no restroom breaks until the contest is over

 

 

 

There have been some really gross incidents in rugby and soccer games. Don't search for the pics if you have a weak stomach.

[Kimmi]

There have been some really gross incidents in rugby and soccer games. Don't search for the pics if you have a weak stomach.

 

Yikes. Those are pics I do not want to see.

[Ogden]

Yikes. Those are pics I do not want to see.

 

 

That's why I offered the public service announcement.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Yikes. Those are pics I do not want to see.

 

Id still rather see a spate of explosive diarrhea than a soccer game.

[a700hitter]

I think any player conference with a pitcher should be counted as a visit to the mound. After the second meeting, the pitcher must be removed.

[Youk Of The Nation]

So you're saying a pep talk from the backup third baseman isn't important enough to halt the game? Madness!

[User Name]

Id still rather see a spate of explosive diarrhea than a soccer game.

 

I knew there was a reason I liked you.

[sk7326]

Pitch clock would not be a bad idea.

 

The measures introduced will help a bit. The batters box thing is the most sensible of them clearly. I am amazed that they did not mandate that the second visit from the mound be eliminated. The manager has a phone, the bullpen has a phone - there is no reason to delay a pitching change.

 

Of course the most important measure would be automating balls and strikes - that is the hugest driver to slow games.

[Kimmi]

Pitch clock would not be a bad idea.

 

The measures introduced will help a bit. The batters box thing is the most sensible of them clearly. I am amazed that they did not mandate that the second visit from the mound be eliminated. The manager has a phone, the bullpen has a phone - there is no reason to delay a pitching change.

 

Of course the most important measure would be automating balls and strikes - that is the hugest driver to slow games.

 

 

While I get frustrated at times watching pitchers who take forever between pitches, I really don't want to see a pitch clock implemented. I like it when pitchers and batters can get inside of each other's heads.

 

As far as automating balls and strikes, I hope that is something that will never come about.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Automating balls and strikes would be a terrible idea. I'm all for speeding up the sometimes torturous pace of games, but the so-called "human element" is a big part of what makes the game so interesting. If you substitute a computer for ball and strike calls, you get another step closer to turning baseball into a live-action video game. Instant replay is one thing, because it doesn't truly eliminate the duties of the umpires. Humans make mistakes, and the folly of man is just one of the many facets of baseball (to be hyperbolic).

[Northern Star]

Pitch clock would not be a bad idea.

 

The measures introduced will help a bit. The batters box thing is the most sensible of them clearly. I am amazed that they did not mandate that the second visit from the mound be eliminated. The manager has a phone, the bullpen has a phone - there is no reason to delay a pitching change.

 

Of course the most important measure would be automating balls and strikes - that is the hugest driver to slow games.

 

Don't see how. The ump calls the pitches right after they're delivered, except for that one douche who takes forever, can't remember his name. Pitchers taking forever to deliver a pitch or a batter walking several steps out of the box to adjust his gloves, helmet and crotch take much more time. LET'S GO WHILE WE'RE YOUNG.

[Kimmi]

Automating balls and strikes would be a terrible idea. I'm all for speeding up the sometimes torturous pace of games, but the so-called "human element" is a big part of what makes the game so interesting. If you substitute a computer for ball and strike calls, you get another step closer to turning baseball into a live-action video game. Instant replay is one thing, because it doesn't truly eliminate the duties of the umpires. Humans make mistakes, and the folly of man is just one of the many facets of baseball (to be hyperbolic).

 

 

As much as I advocate for the use of analytics and technology for the scouting and assessment side of baseball, I am against the use of technology during a game as a means of affecting or altering the outcome of the game. I am against instant replay, and automating balls and strikes would be an atrocity to the game, IMO.

[Ogden]

Pitch clock would not be a bad idea.

 

The measures introduced will help a bit. The batters box thing is the most sensible of them clearly. I am amazed that they did not mandate that the second visit from the mound be eliminated. The manager has a phone, the bullpen has a phone - there is no reason to delay a pitching change.

 

Of course the most important measure would be automating balls and strikes - that is the hugest driver to slow games.

 

 

I can see it now. Orsillo looks at his monitor, grabs Sherm Feller's / Carl Beane's / Mr Replacemnt's microphone and announces the pitch calls sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts in between giggles with Remy.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Ogden

[Kimmi]

Didn't Nomar keep one foot in the box when he went through his routine? Keeping one foot in the box may not speed anything up the way MLB hopes.

 

I just read this about players not being penalized for their rituals, as long as one foot stays in the box:

 

Hitters who keep one foot in the box but maintain lengthy routines of adjusting batting gloves and other pre-pitch rituals will not be considered to be in violation of the new rules, even though it runs contrary to the spirit of them. Anthopoulos said MLB officials used Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista as an example of a player who "is able to adjust his gloves, adjust his helmet, do all those things and keep one foot in the box."

[Kimmi]

Papi is not happy about the "one foot in the batter's box" rule. He says that he might run out of money, because he's not going to change his game. It will be interesting to see how long that lasts.

[SoxnCycles]

Papi is not happy about the "one foot in the batter's box" rule. He says that he might run out of money, because he's not going to change his game. It will be interesting to see how long that lasts.

 

Ortiz does have a point.

If you want to speed up the game, concentrate on the pitchers.

 

Guys like Mark Buehrle don't seem to have a problem with controlling the pace of the game.

If the pitcher is ready to pitch, batters aren't going to be taking leisurely walks around the plate.

[Kimmi]

Ortiz does have a point.

If you want to speed up the game, concentrate on the pitchers.

 

Guys like Mark Buehrle don't seem to have a problem with controlling the pace of the game.

If the pitcher is ready to pitch, batters aren't going to be taking leisurely walks around the plate.

 

 

I would agree that the pitchers are more responsible for the slow pace of the game than the batters. I do not want to see a pitch clock implemented though.

 

Did you see Bill Lee's response to Papi's rant? LOL

 

Anyway, it looks like Papi is going to have to abide by the rules. After the 6th offense, he could be suspended.

[Spudboy]

It's all bluster from Ortiz.

 

No way in hell does he intend to donate $500. chunks to the idiots at MLB.

 

The entire thing is such a joke.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Spudboy

[Kimmi]

It's a bluster from Ortiz.

 

No way in hell does he intend to donate $500. chunks to the idiots at MLB.

 

The entire thing is such a joke.

 

 

But his rants are so much fun!

[Spudboy]

Well at least he's not moaning about "respect" and his contract.

[Kimmi]

Well at least he's not moaning about "respect" and his contract.

 

 

I prefer that he keep his comments to himself too, but as far as I'm concerned, he's Papi. He's earned the right to rant.

[seabeachfred]

Well at least he's not moaning about "respect" and his contract.

 

David Ortiz on his 12 years with the Red Sox========Three World Series Titles

Red Sox without Papi those 12 seasons============NO World Series titles.

 

Might be a good idea to at least understand that he has had to fight for every contract he has gotten since 2005 or 2006. The team owes him respect.