Baseball to announce pace of game changes today

[Mungwater 588]

So fat I've heard that they're going to require the batter to keep one foot in the box except for a couple of exceptions.

 

I also like that they're addressing the pace of the game, not the length. Hate seeing a guy fix his batting gloves for three minutes between pitches and pitchers hanging out on the mound like Edwin Jackson.

[Sho Nuff 719]

The batting glove thing annoys the fock out of me.

 

Ball 1...step out to adjust gloves...strike looking...adjust gloves...ball2...adjust gloves...you didnt swing the bat, how could the gloves need adjustment?

[edjr 5,564]

The batting glove thing annoys the fock out of me.

 

Ball 1...step out to adjust gloves...strike looking...adjust gloves...ball2...adjust gloves...you didnt swing the bat, how could the gloves need adjustment?

 

Focking nomah

 

 

Skip to the 6 minute mark and watch how it should be done.

 

[HenryHill9323 65]

Mike and mike were discussing this. Apparently there are 4 changes, don't know what they are.

 

They were saying there is already a rule that the pitcher only has 15 seconds(I believe that was how long) between pitches. Just enforce that existing rule.

 

Baseball is unwatchable.

[Cruzer 1,992]

* Eliminate all the warm up pitches you get coming from the bullpen. Throw 2 pitches - go. (exception being injury replacement)

 

* Relievers must face at least 2 batters - cut out the changing pitchers for every new batter. (heard this on the radio, good idea)

 

* Grant intentional walks - is retarded to actually throw 4 wasted pitches.

 

* Actually call strikes in the focking strike zone. Umpires hardly used what is technically the strike zone.

[dain11279 928]

The batting glove thing annoys the fock out of me.

 

Ball 1...step out to adjust gloves...strike looking...adjust gloves...ball2...adjust gloves...you didnt swing the bat, how could the gloves need adjustment?

Well Jeter retired so that should speed up Yankees games anyway

[posty 2,296]

Yeah because the glove adjusting and stepping in and out the batter's box and off the mound is the reason the games take so long...

 

[IGotWorms 3,315]

There's nothing wrong with baseball - it's that our collective attention span has gone in the absolute sh!tter in the last 30 years.

[Mungwater 588]

Yeah because the glove adjusting and stepping in and out the batter's box and off the mound is the reason the games take so long...

 

It adds up. I'd also like to see something about the managers taking three minutes to get to the mound too.

[edjr 5,564]

It adds up. I'd also like to see something about the managers taking three minutes to get to the mound too.

 

2 visits per game, that's it.

 

Why can't they change pitchers from the focking dugout?????

[posty 2,296]

It adds up. I'd also like to see something about the managers taking three minutes to get to the mound too.

It might, but that isn't the real reason... You must look at amount and length of commercials first...

[Cruzer 1,992]

It might, but that isn't the real reason... You must look at amount and length of commercials first...

When you boil it down, television is the biggest reason games are so long now for sure.

[Mungwater 588]

When you boil it down, television is the biggest reason games are so long now for sure.

Have you ever noticed the guy with the colored posters signaling the teams how much longer they have a commercial break for? A buddy pointed them out about two seasons ago and it's annoying.

[NEWPOSTERGUY! 266]

There's nothing wrong with baseball - it's that our collective attention span has gone in the absolute sh!tter in the last 30 years.

 

Bingo

 

face it, unless you can package the sport as some sorta high tech video game, it is not gonna resonate with many 'consumers' out there ... most fockwads won't pay attention unless they went to straight up, 9 inning home run derby .... complete with exploding scoreboards, hip hop soundtrack, retard dance celebrations, etc

 

too much of the current culture is geared to appeal to the lowest common denominator, short attention spanned miscreants

[TimmySmith 2,782]

The advent of the somewhat perverse overuse of relief pitchers is what has added to the length of games. No only are complete games a rarity, but games without 4 pitchers per side are in the minority. Cat and mouse games by managers used to be interesting, now it's 162 games of managers trying to prove how smart they are.

[IGotWorms 3,315]

 

 

Bingo

 

face it, unless you can package the sport as some sorta high tech video game, it is not gonna resonate with many 'consumers' out there ... most fockwads won't pay attention unless they went to straight up, 9 inning home run derby .... complete with exploding scoreboards, hip hop soundtrack, retard dance celebrations, etc

 

too much of the current culture is geared to appeal to the lowest common denominator, short attention spanned miscreants

This guy gets it

[BufordT 371]

They're experimenting with a pitch clock in the minors this year. Double A and Triple A. From what I've read they had a pitch clock in the Arizona Fall League this past year. Games were shortened by 10 minutes a game from the previous year, it was only a 17 game sample though.

 

Despite my attention span, they need to make changes. MLB games averaged 3:08 last year, which is a record. Games averaged 2:40 back in the mid 1980's and it'll only get worse if they don't start making changes.

The proposed changes/ideas listed in this thread all seem reasonable. I'm for just about anything that'll help speed up the game as long as it doesn't take away from how the game was originally supposed to be played.

[NEWPOSTERGUY! 266]

- methinks the biggest culprit in the elongation of games is the almighty dollar, vis a vis more commercials, more manufactured 'breaks' to facilitate said commercials, etc

 

networks weren't throwing boatloads of cash for exclusive broadcast rights back in the 80's ... the economics of the game have changed drastically, and more ads/commercials are necessary to pay the bills.

 

that money needs to be made up somewhere, as does the exhorbanant payroll/cost of doing biz.

 

to wit, the average game 30 years ago was clocking in at 2:40... now, let's add one more minute of commercials than they ran back then ... these are specifically aimed at inning changes ... so, 9 inning game, max of 17 changes (top of first does not factor in), and there you have 17 extra minutes added in ... pushing it to 2:57.

 

now toss in the specialty relief situations, as was alluded to earlier, and there's roughly another 10 minutes (commercials included), which brings us to exactly 3:07 of game length.

 

rudimentary, sure ... but it does illustrate that the trappings of the actual gametime between the lines really hasn't changed much.

 

hell, i remember Mike Hargrove (human rain delay) Carlton Fisk, Thurman Munson, Winfield, Reggie ... all of those guys were tedious in the batter's box ... and i'm throwing it back to the mid/late 70's, when i started watching.

 

biggest difference? i remember listening on the radio back then, and there was maybe 1 minute of commercials between innings ... nowdays you can knit a fockin' sweater ...

 

oh, and check average NFL game times from mid 80's to present day ... suffering the same fate, and slave to the same master: $$$$$$

 

hth

[vuduchile 1,941]

For me, it's not an issue of attention span. When I was single without kids, my friend and I would watch every Cubs game and dissect each pitch as if we were doing commentary from the booth.

 

I can't do that anymore because it's such a time commitment. I've managed to carve out enough time to follow the NFL, but even that's tough with Thursday, Sunday and Monday night games.

 

Aside from the NFL, the only thing I really watch anymore is the last round of the 4 majors, The World Series, The Olympics and an occasional women's tennis match.

 

Baseball is best listened to on the radio while I'm doing something else. It's the only sport where this works.

[IGotWorms 3,315]

For me, it's not an issue of attention span. When I was single without kids, my friend and I would watch every Cubs game and dissect each pitch as if we were doing commentary from the booth.

 

I can't do that anymore because it's such a time commitment. I've managed to carve out enough time to follow the NFL, but even that's tough with Thursday, Sunday and Monday night games.

 

Aside from the NFL, the only thing I really watch anymore is the last round of the 4 majors, The World Series, The Olympics and an occasional women's tennis match.

 

Baseball is best listened to on the radio while I'm doing something else. It's the only sport where this works.

 

It's a pace of life issue. Sure your life has changed a bit, but what else has changed is how much you are expected to do on a daily basis. Back in the day a man could sit there and watch a three hour baseball game. Now it ain't happening because you gotta work harder and longer hours, and you gotta do 50/50 on the house work too, and you gotta mind your financial situation, and you gotta do all the stuff men used to before they were told they had to do 50/50 inside the house too (yardwork, cleaning out the garage, etc.).

 

Baseball was a great game for a bygone era. They can try to speed it up and make it into something different, but the very nature of baseball was its status as a pastime. If I'm going to cram a bit of game-watching into my busy schedule I'm going with something naturally faster-paced and more exciting, like basketball or football.

[wiffleball 4,640]

I heard last at one time from a minor leaguer. Supposedly, if you add up all the actual action that occurs in a baseball game. Pitches hits runs cetera. It only adds up to like 12 minutes of action.

[HenryHill9323 65]

I heard last at one time from a minor leaguer. Supposedly, if you add up all the actual action that occurs in a baseball game. Pitches hits runs cetera. It only adds up to like 12 minutes of action.

That would be using a very loose definition of "action".

[Sho Nuff 719]

The advent of the somewhat perverse overuse of relief pitchers is what has added to the length of games. No only are complete games a rarity, but games without 4 pitchers per side are in the minority. Cat and mouse games by managers used to be interesting, now it's 162 games of managers trying to prove how smart they are.

 

Exactly this.

[HenryHill9323 65]

Just play 6 innings and call it a day.

[JTB 52]

* Eliminate all the warm up pitches you get coming from the bullpen. Throw 2 pitches - go. (exception being injury replacement)

 

* Relievers must face at least 2 batters - cut out the changing pitchers for every new batter. (heard this on the radio, good idea)

 

* Grant intentional walks - is retarded to actually throw 4 wasted pitches.

 

* Actually call strikes in the focking strike zone. Umpires hardly used what is technically the strike zone.

 

I'd be in favor of 3 and if 4 is followed 1 and 2 don't need adjusted. As a reliever, I'd not like 1 at all.

[vuduchile 1,941]

 

It's a pace of life issue. Sure your life has changed a bit, but what else has changed is how much you are expected to do on a daily basis. Back in the day a man could sit there and watch a three hour baseball game. Now it ain't happening because you gotta work harder and longer hours, and you gotta do 50/50 on the house work too, and you gotta mind your financial situation, and you gotta do all the stuff men used to before they were told they had to do 50/50 inside the house too (yardwork, cleaning out the garage, etc.).

 

Baseball was a great game for a bygone era. They can try to speed it up and make it into something different, but the very nature of baseball was its status as a pastime. If I'm going to cram a bit of game-watching into my busy schedule I'm going with something naturally faster-paced and more exciting, like basketball or football.

For me, it's more a shifting of priorities. I could easily commit to watching baseball religiously like I used to, but I don't really want to.

 

I don't have a 50/50 split with household chores. The only things I do are yard work and cooking. My wife does all the cleaning and laundry.

 

Being present and involved for my boys' basketball, baseball, wrestling, golf, cub scout, and school activities takes a lot of time. And they haven't even started playing football yet. It's also important for me to take them to the park, the beach, or to play catch or build something as much as possible. 10 years from now, they won't wanna hang around with me, so I feel compelled to do that stuff now.

 

Plus, I actually like to hang out with my wife, and it seems like we're always trying to squeeze that into an already crowded schedule.

 

Add in 18-36 holes/week, holiday gatherings, birthday parties, hanging with friends, playing gigs and rehearsing with the band, watching the NFL and oh yeah, running a business. Doesn't leave much time for baseball.

 

I've actually really enjoyed taking my sons to the high school baseball, basketball and football games in the last few years. Clearly, they're not seeing the game played at it's highest level, but they gain an appreciation for the game while cheering for their home team. They also get a kick out of watching some of their coaches out on the field/court. Many of the high school kids act as asst. coaches for the local youth sports programs here.

[Cruzer 1,992]

I'd be in favor of 3 and if 4 is followed 1 and 2 don't need adjusted. As a reliever, I'd not like 1 at all.

1 and 2 (outside of television) are the biggest culprits of all. The whole reliever process is a killer really. Pitching coach trip to the mound, manager trip to the mound, reliever in from the pen, 15 warm up pitches after he's already thrown 40 in the bullpen. Then do it again when the manager changes pitchers again for a lefty/righty match up on the next batter. It's ridiculous.

[posty 2,296]

Pitch counts is one of the biggest culprits along with TV commercials... Because the starting pitchers are so "babied" now, you have those multiple relief pitchers in a game...

[posty 2,296]

1 and 2 (outside of television) are the biggest culprits of all. The whole reliever process is a killer really. Pitching coach trip to the mound, manager trip to the mound, reliever in from the pen, 15 warm up pitches after he's already thrown 40 in the bullpen. Then do it again when the manager changes pitchers again for a lefty/righty match up on the next batter. It's ridiculous.

Relief pitchers are only allowed eight warm-up pitches coming into a game, unless it is to replace an injured pitcher...

 

But these warm-up pitches are needed...

[Cruzer 1,992]

Relief pitchers are only allowed eight warm-up pitches coming into a game, unless it is to replace an injured pitcher...

 

But these warm-up pitches are needed...

8, 15 what difference does it make? Still too many and a retarded, unnecessary part of the game. Pinch hitters don't get to hit a few balls before they go live - get on the mound and throw it.

[edjr 5,564]

8, 15 what difference does it make? Still too many and a retarded, unnecessary part of the game. Pinch hitters don't get to hit a few balls before they go live - get on the mound and throw it.

 

never known of a (pinch hitter) to get hurt swinging a bat.

[posty 2,296]

8, 15 what difference does it make? Still too many and a retarded, unnecessary part of the game. Pinch hitters don't get to hit a few balls before they go live - get on the mound and throw it.

Bullpen pitcher mounds are different than the game mound... Plus you aren't throwing to the bullpen catcher, it is for them as well to see what kind of stuff they have so they can call the game...

[Cruzer 1,992]

never known of a batter to get hurt swinging a bat.

Baseball has a bullpen. Every team is afforded one. (unless for injury replacement) Every pitcher gets up, stretches and throws 25 pitches warming up before he's called in. Injury is no concern.

[Cruzer 1,992]

Bullpen pitcher mounds are different than the game mound... Plus you aren't throwing to the bullpen catcher, it is for them as well to see what kind of stuff they have so they can call the game...

Cry my a river - yet another reason baseball is turning into a poosay sport.

[vuduchile 1,941]

1 and 2 (outside of television) are the biggest culprits of all. The whole reliever process is a killer really. Pitching coach trip to the mound, manager trip to the mound, reliever in from the pen, 15 warm up pitches after he's already thrown 40 in the bullpen. Then do it again when the manager changes pitchers again for a lefty/righty match up on the next batter. It's ridiculous.

Too many commercials is the biggest problem.

 

This is definitely #2, and should be fixed.

[vuduchile 1,941]

Because the starting pitchers are so "babied" now, you have those multiple relief pitchers in a game...

This is right on target.

[Cruzer 1,992]

Incredible trend in the game today... 2014 had the lowest % of complete games by starting pitchers in the history of the sport. I still agree tv is the biggest reason games are so long - but this is 2nd. And this one you can fix.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complete_game

[posty 2,296]

Incredible trend in the game today... 2014 had the lowest % of complete games by starting pitchers in the history of the sport. I still agree tv is the biggest reason games are so long - but this is 2nd. And this one you can fix.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complete_game

I would be interested to see how you would fix this? As much money that is being thrown to pitching, the pitchers will be "babied" more and more... Also with teams now taking more and more pitches per at-bat, these pitch counts will increase much faster causing the call to the bullpen much more earlier... Since the relievers are all specialists now, you are going to have this from now on... The only way that this can change is the starting pitcher to become more a workhorse and go eight innings...

[IGotWorms 3,315]

For me, it's more a shifting of priorities. I could easily commit to watching baseball religiously like I used to, but I don't really want to.

 

I don't have a 50/50 split with household chores. The only things I do are yard work and cooking. My wife does all the cleaning and laundry.

 

Being present and involved for my boys' basketball, baseball, wrestling, golf, cub scout, and school activities takes a lot of time. And they haven't even started playing football yet. It's also important for me to take them to the park, the beach, or to play catch or build something as much as possible. 10 years from now, they won't wanna hang around with me, so I feel compelled to do that stuff now.

 

Plus, I actually like to hang out with my wife, and it seems like we're always trying to squeeze that into an already crowded schedule.

 

Add in 18-36 holes/week, holiday gatherings, birthday parties, hanging with friends, playing gigs and rehearsing with the band, watching the NFL and oh yeah, running a business. Doesn't leave much time for baseball.

 

I've actually really enjoyed taking my sons to the high school baseball, basketball and football games in the last few years. Clearly, they're not seeing the game played at it's highest level, but they gain an appreciation for the game while cheering for their home team. They also get a kick out of watching some of their coaches out on the field/court. Many of the high school kids act as asst. coaches for the local youth sports programs here.

Well that's my point - your typical man simply does not have time to watch 162 three hour baseball games a year anymore. Nearly everyone has greater obligations and priorities in today's frenetic world.

[Mike Honcho 4,034]

There's nothing wrong with baseball - it's that our collective attention span has gone in the absolute sh!tter in the last 30 years.

 

The game averages 45 minutes longer than it did 30 years ago.