The SEC is planning on introducing two clocks, one to force pitchers and batters to complete a pitch in 20 seconds, and one to keep the time between innings short. I like the rule because they will penalize the pitcher or the batter, depending on which is not ready.
When MLB adopted the 20 second rule (deliver a pitch with no one on base), there was at least one stadium that adopted the clock. There were big objections and it was taken down. The rule doesn’t get enforced.
That said, I don’t think it would speed the game up that much. The game won’t get faster until they cut 30 seconds between innings for commercials, and that’s not going to happen.
Posted by David Pinto at 11:39 am | College | Permalink | 7 Comments
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December 21st, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
December 21st, 2009 @ 6:49 pm
@TomP: 1/2 minute times 17 breaks = 8.5 minutes. There are two half innings per inning.
December 22nd, 2009 @ 4:56 am
Lots of time would be cut if they enforce that batter can’t exit his box during the at-bat, except after the close inside pitch. Also, no warm-ups for the relievers. They warmed up in the bullpen, the rule should be that the reliever must start his at-bat within a minute after the previous pitcher is pulled (of course this rule is waived if the change is because of apparent injury).
December 22nd, 2009 @ 10:05 am
@David Pinto – fair enough, but you’re still talking about less than ten minutes over the course of a three-hour game. I’m all in favor of reducing commercials, too, but cutting ten seconds from each at-bat would have a hugely greater impact.
December 22nd, 2009 @ 10:18 am
@TomP: Agreed, but when umps don’t enforce the current rules, how is that going to happen? Once someone gets on base, there are no time limits either, so you can’t reduce the amout of time of every plate appearance. With no one on, the game tends to move okay. It’s when runners get on base that the game slows down, with pitchers stepping off, conferences on the mound and such.
I also think the problem isn’t getting a three-hour game down to two outs, but getting it down to 2:50 so the game is over by 10 PM. Maybe they should start at 7:02 instead of 7:07, as well.
December 22nd, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
A CLOCK!?
BLASPHEMY!
January 4th, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
get rid of the DH