Pitching Clock Rule Affects Outcome of First Day Spring Training Game

[silverscreenselect]

Major league baseball's new pitching clock rule already has come into play on the first day of spring training. The Atlanta Braves had the bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning of a 6-6 game against the Red Sox. Cal Conley was batting with a full count, and the umpire ruled that he was not ready to bat within eight seconds and called a third strike on him, ending the game. (They often don't play extra innings in spring training.) Conley at first thought that the umpire had called an automatic ball on the pitcher for not being ready in time. The rule says that the batter must be in the batters box and "alert to the pitcher" within eight seconds. Conley was in the box, but in the umpire's opinion, was looking down at the catcher, not the pitcher.

You can expect these pitch clock rules to cause a lot of arguments this season and lead to a number of tweaks and "interpretations."

Also, the so-called "ghost runner" rule, by which teams start extra innings with a runner on second base, has been made permanent this season. It will not be in effect for postseason games.

https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-brav ... RM5TYTFKM/

[BackInTex]

One of my friends on EFB asked the question: Pitch Clock. Yea or Nay, and why? My response was:

Baseball is played by inning. An inning is determined by outs. There is no clock to determine the start or end of a game or inning so it shouldn’t be used to control the pace of innings or the game. Baseball is not about the speed of play.

I’m fine with limits on mound visits and love the rule that relief pitchers must face a minimum of three batters.

What’s next? Limits in foul balls?

[Bob78164]

One of my friends on EFB asked the question: Pitch Clock. Yea or Nay, and why? My response was:

Baseball is played by inning. An inning is determined by outs. There is no clock to determine the start or end of a game or inning so it shouldn’t be used to control the pace of innings or the game. Baseball is not about the speed of play.

I’m fine with limits on mound visits and love the rule that relief pitchers must face a minimum of three batters.

What’s next? Limits in foul balls?

I think that's never been completely true. For example, a runner who refuses to take an automatic base he's been awarded (after a walk or being forced by the batter's walk) would eventually be declared out. Admittedly that's an extreme example that, as far as I know, has never actually happened in a game, but the point is that umpires have always had SOME authority to keep the game moving. The pitch-clock rule merely makes one of those standards objective. --Bob

[Beebs52]

Commenters from Astros game yesterday suggested that pitchers could go ahead and let a ball happen just to regroup then strike out, etc. More tweakage

[Vandal]

Batters are quickly finding out that they don’t have to adjust their cups and batting glove straps between every pitch. Pitchers don’t have to take a casual walk around the mound between pitches or throw to first five times.

Maybe now the Red Sox/Yankees games won’t slog past the four-hour mark. Minor league players got used to the changes very quickly and significantly increased pace of play which shortened the games. That’s the goal. MLB players will adapt and the game will be better for it.

[BackInTex]

One of my friends on EFB asked the question: Pitch Clock. Yea or Nay, and why? My response was:

Baseball is played by inning. An inning is determined by outs. There is no clock to determine the start or end of a game or inning so it shouldn’t be used to control the pace of innings or the game. Baseball is not about the speed of play.

I’m fine with limits on mound visits and love the rule that relief pitchers must face a minimum of three batters.

What’s next? Limits in foul balls?

I think that's never been completely true. For example, a runner who refuses to take an automatic base he's been awarded (after a walk or being forced by the batter's walk) would eventually be declared out. Admittedly that's an extreme example that, as far as I know, has never actually happened in a game, but the point is that umpires have always had SOME authority to keep the game moving. The pitch-clock rule merely makes one of those standards objective. --Bob

"objective" no where near accurate. The "time" may be objective but when to start and when it ends is not objective, just like the stike zone is not objective.

Batters are quickly finding out that they don’t have to adjust their cups and batting glove straps between every pitch. Pitchers don’t have to take a casual walk around the mound between pitches or throw to first five times.

Maybe now the Red Sox/Yankees games won’t slog past the four-hour mark. Minor league players got used to the changes very quickly and significantly increased pace of play which shortened the games. That’s the goal. MLB players will adapt and the game will be better for it.

Can't say I disagree with anything you've written, but I'm still uncomfortable with it. We'll see how the season goes.

[SportsFan68]

Commenters from Astros game yesterday suggested that pitchers could go ahead and let a ball happen just to regroup then strike out, etc. More tweakage

I believe that this is exactly what will happen. Also, this: "Batters are quickly finding out that they don’t have to adjust their cups and batting glove straps between every pitch. Pitchers don’t have to take a casual walk around the mound between pitches or throw to first five times."

[Beebs52]

Commenters from Astros game yesterday suggested that pitchers could go ahead and let a ball happen just to regroup then strike out, etc. More tweakage

I believe that this is exactly what will happen. Also, this: "Batters are quickly finding out that they don’t have to adjust their cups and batting glove straps between every pitch. Pitchers don’t have to take a casual walk around the mound between pitches or throw to first five times."

I like the not throwing to first all the time.