New Intentional Walk Rule: Like It?

SAllen2556 · #1 02-22-2017, 07:02 AM

Sorry, but I do not. Intentional walks are not why baseball games are too long. And changing a million years of baseball tradition for no reason seems silly. Didn't the A's strike out Johnny Bench in the World Series by calling for an intentional walk on 3 and 2 or something, but then the pitcher actually threw it over the plate? It can affect a game.

What I'd like to see is a limit to the number of total pitching related timeouts a team can call per game. This would include everything from the catcher going to the mound to the pitching coach to manager visits.

Why do the manager and the catcher have to go to the mound to make a pitching change? Just let him signal it from the dugout. If he wants to actually go to the mound it would count as a team timeout. And limit the number of warm up pitches a relief pitcher gets. Aren't they warmed up already when they come in? Give him a couple pitches to get used to the mound and go!

CollectingAmericasPastime · #2 02-22-2017, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAllen2556

And limit the number of warm up pitches a relief pitcher gets. Aren't they warmed up already when they come in? Give him a couple pitches to get used to the mound and go!

This.

clydepepper · #3 02-22-2017, 11:15 AM

...and that may lead to the pitcher faking an injury just so the reliever can get warmed up...

The mound becomes a truly slippery slope.

.

frankbmd · #4 02-22-2017, 12:05 PM

Instead of throwing four balls for an intentional pass, why not just let the batter take first by announcing the intent by asking the batter to stand on home plate and throw an eephus pitch guaranteeing a hit by pitch without risk of injury.

Problem solved

frankbmd · #5 02-22-2017, 12:06 PM

That's a great idea, Frank

Tripredacus · #6 02-22-2017, 01:45 PM

I don't see the problem that the game has to begin with. The amount of time the game takes is not excessively long as compared to hockey or football. In fact, it seems baseball games are shorter.

clydepepper · #7 02-22-2017, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tripredacus

I don't see the problem that the game has to begin with. The amount of time the game takes is not excessively long as compared to hockey or football. In fact, it seems baseball games are shorter.

Most of us see no great reason for any change, but there is a demand out 'there', mostly by Broadcast or Advertising Execs, that, in today's society, sports have to be high-speed action all the time. NASCAR and the NBA are just two sports whose pace Baseball has to compete against.

While Fans pay to go see the teams play and buy programs, jerseys and the like, the big money comes from Broadcast contracts and when push comes to shove, the fans' opinion becomes secondary - and eventually, we learn to adjust to those changes.

I realize that changing the intentional walk to a hand signal from the dugout may be a tiny adjustment in the scheme of things, and that, in another century someone like Johnny Bench might be able to lace a 'Ric' flair to right-field once in his career, but, as least that change won't upset the apple cart.

Trying to dictate how many pitching changes can be made in a game could endanger arms and, therefore, would never be allowed by the players union.

Too many throws to first along with varying deliveries of pitches are tried-and-true strategies designed to slow down the running game. You could never say that the pitcher can only throw over twice, because the runner would take off 100% of the time after the second throw...and never before. How stupid would that look?

OUR Game has changed very little over its lifetime and whatever changes are made usually wind up making it a more enjoyable 'product' to watch. IMO

But...We ALL miss the Good Ole' Days.

.

packs · #8 02-22-2017, 03:44 PM

It's absurd if you ask me. The pitcher still has to throw the ball to the catcher and the catcher back to the pitcher. Anything can happen during that exchange. Why even bother to have infielders throw to first if they field an infield ground ball if your POV is there's a pre determined outcome just because someone would like to do something.

steve B · #9 02-22-2017, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clydepepper

[SIZE="4"] NASCAR and the NBA are just two sports whose pace Baseball has to compete against.

I'll give you basketball, but NASCAR?

They could cut the coverage of most races down to a highlight reel of pit stops and crashes and get a 500 done in like 20 minutes.

NESN does baseball broadcasts the day after the game like that, they cut out the bits where people are ambling to the plate while a song plays, or the relief pitcher is wandering in from the bullpen and then throwing about double his pitch count for "warmups". It's cut down to about an hour I think.

Just last week I read where some baseball executive was saying this rule was just for the low minors where it's an instructional league and throwing the four lobs isn't at all important.
But now it's for everyone?!
And it's expected to save a whole 14 seconds a game......

Steve B

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