Cleveland Sports Forum

The subject is speeding up the game.

So which is more important, a faster game, or a win?

I thought you posted an article about speeding up the game and not how to win the game.

Actually, I posted an article that was mostly about how to handle extra-innings games. Then MCDOC and SEAGULL started talking about speeding up the game. MLB has been trying to do that, feeling that they are losing fans. I am totally opposed to what SEA proposed, and I don't believe it will ever happen.

What are your thoughts, RUSTY?

As for extra innings, I don't like the idea of giving teams a runner on second, that they had not earned. I'd rather give each team 4 outs. But why change the rules after they've played 9 or 10 innings? Maybe they could just declare any games that aren't resolved after 10 innings ties, with each team getting .5 in both the win and loss columns?

Changing baseball’s extra innings format is stupid, and we can prove it

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/pol ... e28f16a37f

Baseball is a game that is much, much better in person than on TV. People at the games, especially day games, don't care how long the game takes. The problem is TV is where the money is and the attention span of the TV viewer is growing shorter and shorter with more and more choices.

My attention span is now shorter than it once was and I find I cannot enjoy a game on TV or the internet that has so many dead spots with no action.

Pass the clicker.

I am not alone.

Speed up the game or continue to lose media audiences.

Well, keeping the batter in the box between pitches, enforcing the rule for time between pitches, limiting mound visits, etc. would help.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ml ... /97445606/

They could also shorten time between innings, by putting ads on sidebars during game play. But a lot of parks want the time for entertainment.

And I usually watch TV while I'm on my laptop.

How about warm-up pitches?

The starting pitcher warms up in the bullpen prior to the game start. He then goes to the game mound and throws 8 warm-up pitches. One can argue he needs 8 warm-up pitches to get used to the mound. He then pitches the first inning. Why, when he comes to the mound in the second inning, does he need 8 more warm-up pitches? Cut it to 4.

Relief pitchers, having warmed up in the bullpen, should be limited to 4 warm-up pitches.

If the catcher is on base with 2 outs, he should be allowed a special pinch runner that doesn't count as a replacement so he can dress for the next inning.

Another idea for extra innings is every batter comes to the plate with a count of 1-1. Many high school and college teams play scrimmage games in the Spring using this 1-1 starting count.

As I said, it could be tough to shorten the time between innings. But the pace of the game during innings would be improved if mid-inning relievers only got 4 pitches or so. Also, maybe eliminate the manager's walk to the mound to make a change. He could just give a signal to the ump and bullpen, and the relief pitcher would immediately come in.

seagull wrote:Another idea for extra innings is every batter comes to the plate with a count of 1-1. Many high school and college teams play scrimmage games in the Spring using this 1-1 starting count.

I prefer that idea to putting a runner on 2nd.
BUT wouldn't that lead to less scoring, and more extra innings?
Maybe better to give each batter one ball but no strikes?

Here's an article from a few years ago that talks about quickening the pace of the game, among other things:

10 Suggestions To Rob Manfred On How To Make Major League Baseball Better

http://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/ ... 93da116b02

More speed up.

No pitches have to be thrown for an intentional walk. Just waive the batter to first.

After a batter has 2 strikes, three foul balls is an out.

seagull wrote:More speed up.

No pitches have to be thrown for an intentional walk. Just waive the batter to first.

After a batter has 2 strikes, three foul balls is an out.

I believe they are doing the first one, beginning this year?

Not sure I like the 2nd one, maybe 5 foul balls?