Pitch clock

[Touch'EmAll]

I haven't watched much ball (am tax guy working long hours now). But I did watch couple spring training games at nights when family away on Spring Break.

I felt rushed just watching. First impressions I didn't like it. Another 5-10 seconds would help. It's all the pitcher changes that really take up time.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Touch'EmAll

I haven't watched much ball (am tax guy working long hours now). But I did watch couple spring training games at nights when family away on Spring Break.

I felt rushed just watching. First impressions I didn't like it. Another 5-10 seconds would help. It's all the pitcher changes that really take up time.

And don't forget replay reviews! Gotta cut those 5 seconds off each pitch, but having everyone watch for 3 minutes while a guy stands there with a headset on is no problem...

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

And don't forget replay reviews! Gotta cut those 5 seconds off each pitch, but having everyone watch for 3 minutes while a guy stands there with a headset on is no problem...

Last year, baseball averaged about 1 review every other game and average reviews are under 2 minutes so its not really affecting the time that much. To me, accuracy is more important than speed.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Jim65

Last year, baseball averaged about 1 review every other game and average reviews are under 2 minutes so its not really affecting the time that much. To me, accuracy is more important than speed.

I want to get the calls right too; personally I just think it's silly to have the clock at 15 seconds when there are so many other things that can cause delays.

This is totally random off the top of my head, but I was thinking:

If they extended the 15 seconds to always 20, how much time would that add?

Let's say ~200 pitches on a game. If they added 5 seconds, I would guess on average the pitchers might use 2-3 seconds more of that. 200 pitches x 2.5 seconds = 8 minutes and 20 seconds. Of course, many of those pitches will be thrown with runners on base, so the clock would be longer in those cases anyway.

So this would add, what, maybe 5 or 6 minutes to games? If it lets the announcers finish what they're saying more often, or allows the broadcast to show what the field looks like (notice how they never do that anymore?), or allows me to look away from the TV for a few seconds and not miss a pitch (lol), I'd be in favor of it.

[JollyElm]

The dumb 'disengagements' should just be renamed 'disengamements,' because they are the height of mind-numbing stupidity and ruin the game. If the pitcher is unsuccessful in two throws to first base, why not just hand second base to the runner?????????? Nothing's keeping him from stealing it. Can you even imagine how many steals Rickey Henderson would rack up now???? And I literally mean NOW. As a 64 year old, he would still shatter his own stolen base records with these pathetic rules.

It is so hard to watch any game now. WTF have they done to the thing I loved???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

The dumb 'disengagements' should just be renamed 'disengamements,' because they are the height of mind-numbing stupidity and ruin the game. If the pitcher is unsuccessful in two throws to first base, why not just hand second base to the runner?????????? Nothing's keeping him from stealing it. Can you even imagine how many steals Rickey Henderson would rack up now???? And I literally mean NOW. As a 64 year old, he would still shatter his own stolen base records with these pathetic rules.

It is so hard to watch any game now. WTF have they done to the thing I loved???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think as the season goes on, we'll see more pitchers throwing over the 3rd time. Baserunners are more likely to go and be successful after 2 throws, so why not take the shot at a pickoff?

[Mike D.]

Went to Fenway today and saw the sox beat the Angels 2-1 in 1:57.

Game started at 1:35 PM, and I was home in my driveway in RI by 6 PM.

I bought a soda that came with a free refill, and didn't get a chance use it !

I will say, though, the crisp pace of game kept my 11 year old interested. That wouldn't have happened during a 4 hour game!