SEC to experiment with pitch clock

[ipitch]

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...egins-in-sec/1

Pitchers will be allotted 20 seconds between pitches with no runners on base. A clock mounted below the outfield video board at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala., will show the seconds ticking down. An umpire not on the field will operate the clock, according to the Tennessean. There will be no clock used when runners are on base.

The clock should cut down on pitchers taking lengthy delays between pitches, and it definitely will deter hitters from stepping out of the batter's box. If a pitcher takes too long, a ball will be added to the batter's count. If a batter steps out of the box within five seconds of the clock expiring, a strike will added to the count.

[Stumanji]

Works for me.

[theAmazingMet]

Its sad that it has to come to this, but I agree with the reasoning. Its sad because this lolly-gagging is so prevelant in modern baseball.

[Rich the Giants fan]

Ugh. I understand the reasoning, but hate the idea. Baseball should not have clocks.

[KevinWI]

Do not like. This isn't basketball.

[brewcrew82]

Do not like. This isn't basketball.

The NBA only implemented it in 1954 in an effort to regain fans because the game was getting "boring".

Sound familiar?

[Richard]

Good. Do you want more people to follow baseball or not?

[SamtheBravesFan]

I must admit, this is an intriguing experiment.

[PVNICK]

A time frame is already in the MLB rule book:

8.04 When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.”
The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.
The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.

[Richard]

The problem is that it rarely enforced. Follow the rule in regard to the strike zone. They don't adhere to the strike zone rule either.

[KevinWI]

Good. Do you want more people to follow baseball or not?

I'm afraid I don't understand the obession with making baseball more popular than American Idol.

There's all these threads about "Marketing Baseball" and "What Baseball Has To Do To Get Back On Top".

Sure, baseball isn't the #1 sport anymore, but it's not exactly dying on the vine.

Do you remember when the TV networks put those stupid "glow pucks" on hockey games on TV? It was supposed to bring more fans to the game. It ended just annoying the old fans and new/potental fans didn't care. That's exactly what this "shot clock" will do in baseball (and thats what I'm going to call it, because that's what it is).

[ipitch]

Do you remember when the TV networks put those stupid "glow pucks" on hockey games on TV? It was supposed to bring more fans to the game. It ended just annoying the old fans and new/potental fans didn't care. That's exactly what this "shot clock" will do in baseball (and thats what I'm going to call it, because that's what it is).

Why do you say that? It seems clear that fans want a quicker paced game. Fans boo whenever an opposing pitcher throws over to 1st base.

If it works like I think it will, fans might not even realize that there is a pitch clock. I think 20 seconds is too long though.

[scorekeeper]

A time frame is already in the MLB rule book:

8.04 When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.”
The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.
The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.

Its 20 seconds in HS and the NCAA. All the SEC is doing is attempting to enforce the rules.

[Rich the Giants fan]

Why do you say that? It seems clear that fans want a quicker paced game. Fans boo whenever an opposing pitcher throws over to 1st base.

If it works like I think it will, fans might not even realize that there is a pitch clock. I think 20 seconds is too long though.

Well then maybe they should ban throws to first.

[west coast orange and black]

if a batter steps out of the box within five seconds of the clock expiring, a strike will added to the count.

and what to the batter requestiong that time be called withn the final 5 seconds?
there are very legitimate situations where time ought to be called. a batter's safety could be at risk: swirling wind; dislodged, dirty or uncomfortable contact lenses; having to sneeze.
then there is the ol' familiar nemesis: the floating hot dog wrapper.

[scorekeeper]

Well then maybe they should ban throws to first.

Guess what? I just happen to have some empirical data from HS varsity having to do with throws from the pitcher, other than to 1st. The reason I started tracking them was because I was positive there were 15-20 throws a game, and thought it was pretty stupid.

But as things turn out, there really aren’t a whole lot of them, and for the most part, they’re only used when the runner on is a threat to steal, and that doesn’t happen nearly as often as you’d think.

[Rich the Giants fan]

Guess what? I just happen to have some empirical data from HS varsity having to do with throws from the pitcher, other than to 1st. The reason I started tracking them was because I was positive there were 15-20 throws a game, and thought it was pretty stupid.

But as things turn out, there really aren’t a whole lot of them, and for the most part, they’re only used when the runner on is a threat to steal, and that doesn’t happen nearly as often as you’d think.

Interesting, though your data is relatively limited. But I was actually being sarcastic.

[KevinWI]

Why do you say that? It seems clear that fans want a quicker paced game. Fans boo whenever an opposing pitcher throws over to 1st base.

If it works like I think it will, fans might not even realize that there is a pitch clock. I think 20 seconds is too long though.

Really? I've always thought they were booing the pitcher because he's keping their runner pinned to the base.

[ipitch]

Really? I've always thought they were booing the pitcher because he's keping their runner pinned to the base.

Well, the boos often grow louder with each consecutive pickoff attempt, so that tells me that they're booing the pitcher for "delaying the game." Of course, they don't seem to mind when it's THEIR pitcher on the mound.

I haven't really noticed that runners take a shorter lead after a pickoff attempt. If anything, they should take a slightly longer lead, unless they were almost picked off.

[Phantom Dreamer]

A great idea that needs to be adopted by MLB. Though I would have it 10 seconds with the bases empty and 15 seconds with men on. Long overdue and very much needed.

[Richard]

Why? The Yankees-Indians only took four hours to complete today. Games regulary take three and half hours to complete nowadays. It is no wonder that a recent kids poll revealed MLB is only favored by 6% of kids today.

[Phantom Dreamer]

The cast may have changed, but the Yankees are at it again. The New York/Cleveland game lasted nearly 4 hours, 3:50, to be exact. Get a pitch clock MLB.

[UnderPressure]

I like it. Also, one "time out" per at bat for the hitter.

[Phantom Dreamer]

A pitch clock would probably eliminate the 3 hour game and make the 4 hour game impossible. A pitch clock, I think, would have a good chance on making baseball a national game again, instead of just regional. This is big picture stuff.

[Zoltan]

I like it. Also, one "time out" per at bat for the hitter.

Also, one mound visit per inning for the catcher. This, and one time out per hitter could probably shorten the game up enough to where a pitch clock wouldnt be needed.