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I've always thought the problem was commercials were too long. Do that 18 times a game every half inning and they add up. I didn't want a pitch clock but since MLB will never surrender a dollar, I can live with it instead of watching the strikeout snooze fest MLB has become.
That being said. I think the clock is way too short. Some of the rules don't even make sense. Not only do you have to be in the box but you have to be ready to hit which is completely subjective.
Even in college. Saw the LSU game yesterday. Batter was in the box ready to hit with 9 seconds left on the clock but since he wasn't in a ready position (as per the umpire) with 10 seconds left it was an auto strike and it ended the game with two outs in the 9th. I also wouldn't want it in the 7th inning on but how do you enforce rules for 2/3 of the game but not all of it?
I have actually enjoyed watching college baseball over the past week.
I only saw one ball called. Seems to me that coaches have done a nice job (in the games that I watched) preparing for the pitch clock, which was designed to help the pitcher, not the batter.
JMO
And the mercy rule was used 3 times in games I watched.
@RJM - It is going to be a long, long Red Sox season my friend! Buckle up.
Agreed @PABaseball. The clock is too short.
Also the protocol they've set down between the pitcher & hitter for every pitch is tiresome especially if you are doing this 200-300 times a game. I'd like to see it increased from 15 seconds to 20 or 25 seconds with no runners. 15 seconds is just too quick.
Actually, my biggest beef with the new rules is the number of times a pitcher can throw over to a base ("disengagement") to control the running game. Huge swing and miss by MLB on that rule. I don't think that rule is going to stay for long. That is going to be the first new rule to go away or be modified.
As for the shift, that jury is still out with me. At first, I thought defenses should be able to position their players where they want them and the hitters have to adjust. Well, that sounds good in theory but in practice it led to too many players NOT learning to hit against the shift which probably explains why we don't hear the phrase "professional hitter" much anymore. So, I want to see how 2023 shakes out with no shifts.
Why didn't they adopt a softball first base (double base) instead of throwing those huge pizza box bases on all bases and changing too much of the perfect game. Stupid is as stupid does, I guess. It seems Manfred and company are going out of their way to make too many changes. Why not just keep it simple, safe, and reasonable.
JMO
IMO, at the MLB level most starting pitchers' pace was fine, but some of the relievers were another story...
Many relievers and hitters' quirky OCD adjustments every pitch with multiple granted time outs cause things to drag. The league needed to do something, but I think they will have to adjust the rules. Nobody wants to see a game end with a auto strike or ball.
I'd be in favor of thee strikes (offenses) rule. Each team gets two violations without penalty, but the third time and beyond are called. That puts the onus on the players over the course of the game to maintain the cushion so it doesn't impact the game at a critical moment.
I know all the purist are upset about change, I felt that way initially too - but the game must find a way to be relevant again, and change will be required to get there.
Yes, I am a purist and a former pitcher so I hate the pitch clock. Pitchers only work quickly if they are going right, but if you aren't you work slower and take your time between pitches. You weigh that against having your fielders remain focused. etc.. Disruption of batters timing of a pitch is something else you use by waiting past 4 seconds or so once they are set, to get them to reset their muscle memory of the last pitch timing. I don't like the clock.
I do agree with some, if the clock is used, as long as the hitter is in the box, who cares if he takes that last practice swing at 8 seconds, etc. I don't think the poor guy should have to stand like a statue for 8 seconds before the pitch comes. Stop calling him not ready. You're in the box, you are ready.
The larger bases are just stupid. you should be able to drop your glove on a tag play and cover the majority of the base. the ball beats you there, you should be tagged out as long as the tag is made. I think middle infields could be tripping all over the larger bag for a while, if they aren't mechanically sound on double plays, etc.
The only rule I like is the "no shift". If you want to make the out, get infielders with better range rather than the oaf who hits 35 homeruns a game. If a dead pull hitter pulls the ball hard for a hit, I say that's the pitchers fault, and the hitter earned it.
I do think commercial breaks are part of the problem, not for the length of time, but for the disruption of your attention. After all, this is about attention span (which average is 8 seconds), not really total length of game. Stay with the between inning action and have commercial sponsors the color-men read an ad or place the logo in the corner of the screen, etc. like during minimal commercial mini-series on tv. Baseball in the 70-80's didn't go to commercial breaks on pitcher changes. Players have adjusted their warmups between innings to match the length of commercial break, without it, I am sure it won't take as long. ever been at a game and wonder why they are standing around, then you realize tv hasn't finished the commercials.
Lastly, you want to speed the game, call the real strike zone. knees to letters. Make hitters swing the bat, put the ball in play and create action. 10/12 or more pitch at bats because the ball is a hair above the belly button is just sad. I don't see how everyone doesn't hit .300 with a 2 foot strike zone. Yeah, it's strike out city now, but that's only because of swinging for the fences even on 2 strike counts and it happens on the 10th pitch, make a hitter defend the full zone and they'll learn to put the ball in play or hit .200, and whose going to pay 15 mil a year for a .200 hitter.
@HSDad22 posted:I do think commercial breaks are part of the problem, not for the length of time, but for the disruption of your attention. After all, this is about attention span (which average is 8 seconds), not really total length of game. Stay with the between inning action and have commercial sponsors the color-men read an ad or place the logo in the corner of the screen, etc. like during minimal commercial mini-series on tv. Baseball in the 70-80's didn't go to commercial breaks on pitcher changes. Players have adjusted their warmups between innings to match the length of commercial break, without it, I am sure it won't take as long. ever been at a game and wonder why they are standing around, then you realize tv hasn't finished the commercials.
Can we not look at the college games being streamed vs. being televised (with all the normal commercial breaks) to prove/disprove this? Even when there are commercials in streamed games, I don't think they are basing the timing of the breaks between innings or pitching change based on the commercials, right?
I think the clock is great, if tweaks are needed fair enough but the speed is good. A pitch every 15 seconds will benefit all parties at all levels….get you ass in the box cause a pitch is coming!
if you can’t play in that speed don’t feel bad I am sure there a thousands others who won’t have a problem. As an ex mlb guy you will have a long list of lessons every week waiting for you.
Adding the pitching clock in the minors dropped the average game time by 30 minutes. Closer to 2.5 hours.
Watch some old games and see how long they were before the invention of velcro made the batter take over a minute between swings. Games used to take 2 hours to 2.5 hours without a game clock.