12/18/24
February 19, 2018
MLB announces pace of play initiatives for '18: Pace of game rules, but no pitch clock.
I'd love to see the period between innings trimmed to 1:30, but it means fewer commercials: less money that comes to the clubs. I really have a problem with the visits, especially since it includes players that "do not require either to vacate their position": an infield/pitcher meeting often is one to discuss strategy on defense or how to pitch to a batter; will infielders now have to yell strategy to the pitcher?
Why do I have a feeling much of this will be forgotten by the All-Star break? Sort of like defining the strike zone, then the strike zone returns to whatever umpires call.
posted by jjzucal at 09:37 PM on February 20, 2018
MLB will trim everywhere except places where it will cost them money. The changes they're making is kind of ridiculous. The pitch clock I get, nobody will notice that and minor leaguers have had that for quite some time. But 6 visits per game takes strategy away from the game especially when it's like a classic Red Sox and Yankees game where there's either a lot on the line or there's lots of action that requires a strategy. I agree with jjzucal about the 1:30 between innings but like he said that's fewer commercials and less money for MLB's pockets.
posted by Bobby12 at 07:10 PM on March 05, 2018
6 visits per game seems a bit excessive. The high school rule is 2 visits per pitcher; on the third visit, you must change pitchers. You get another 2 visits after that. It has been a long time since I have seen the catcher come out about 2 or 3 steps in front of the plate to yell some encouragement (or epithets) at the pitcher. Perhaps this rule will bring that back. The rule was that a pitcher was allowed 8 warm up throws on his first entry into the game and 5 before starting a new inning. All warm up throws were to be completed in one minute. Now that there's longer between innings there's no reason a pitcher cannot be ready. These new rules won't do much to speed up the game. Cut the time between innings to one minute, and you immediately cut over 15 minutes from the game.