Pitcher's Time Clock?

[CanoeGuru]

Let me begin by saying I'm a football fan, not a baseball fan. Part of the reason I'm not a baseball fan is that watching a baseball game is about like watching paint dry. Or watching golf. It moves sooooo sloooooowlllyyyy. So I got to wondering: has there ever been talk of having a time clock installed for pitchers? They'd have to pitch the ball (or throw it to try to prevent a stolen base) within a certain number of seconds, say 20. What would be the pros and cons of such a clock? Seems to me like it would speed up the game and make it more interesting. Thoughts?

[Vikes forever]

I love baseball the way it is. Some pitchers known for working slower than others, but as a whole setting up some sort of "shot clock" would put an end to most of the cat and mouse games between the pitcher and batter, or pitcher and baserunner. If some sort of clock would be set up, I would hope it would be to limit the time length of visits to the mound.

[obert]

Baseball was by far my favorite sport to play. I used to love pro baseball, now I can only watch college ball. College baseball is great. I think the pro game has more problems than just the pitching. Like their salaries for one

[tmn515]

I love MLB and baseball in general. I wouldn't change anything and I agree with what Vikes said. The cat and mouse game between batter/pitcher would be out of the game and would take a fairly big dynamic out as well.

Troy

[Catfishsteve]

pitch by pitch...that's one of the beauties of baseball!

[Harold]

Originally Posted by Catfishsteve

pitch by pitch...that's one of the beauties of baseball!

ABSOLUTELY!

BTW, there IS a "time limit" for pitches, as well as for the batters to step in the box. Unfortunately unless we have another walk-out by the umpires and they all get FIRED as they should, the delays by both pitchers and batters will be subjected to the mood of the umpire.

Kinda like balls and strikes. Amazing how the "replacement" umps called them by the rules. It is beginning to become UGLY again!

When the umpires become "bigger than the game" the game suffers. It's not at the level of the "walk-out" but it's not far away.

Harold F.

[Alex T.]

when do ya start the clock?? Are ya gonna ban allowing the batter to call time out cause he needs to adjust his hair and get dirt on his batting glove for the 12th time in 2 minutes?? How about only allowing 2 foul balls once the batter gets to 2 strikes?? How about no pansy ass throws to first base just to make sure the runner is awake?? How about not allowing a relieving pitcher 10 warmup throws on the mound,he just threw 50 in the bullpen. Lots of little things could quicken the game but then what does that do to the game??

Alex

[Harold]

Originally Posted by Alex T.

when do ya start the clock?? Are ya gonna ban allowing the batter to call time out cause he needs to adjust his hair and get dirt on his batting glove for the 12th time in 2 minutes?? How about only allowing 2 foul balls once the batter gets to 2 strikes?? How about no pansy ass throws to first base just to make sure the runner is awake?? How about not allowing a relieving pitcher 10 warmup throws on the mound,he just threw 50 in the bullpen. Lots of little things could quicken the game but then what does that do to the game??

Alex

Obviously, the rules were made just for that reason. To speed up the game. Umpires need to "step up to the plate"!

A classic example during the LSU/Texas game Monday nite. Texas was "caught with their pants down" when the relief pitcher came in and could only throw balls. To give the pen some time, the pitcher had to make a "belt change"! GOOD GRIEF! After throwing even MORE balls (some of which the STUPID LSU batters SWANG AT) the Coach pulled him.

What can one do...

Harold F.

[Alex T.]

What can one do...

require elastic waist bands so belts aren't needed.

Alex

[gwhunter]

The beauty of baseball is there is no time clock. Every other sport is over after a certain time. What is your hurry when you are at a ball game? I'd stay all night if I could. There is enough hustle and bustle in this world.

[obert]

I just remember not too long ago when baseball was a game and not a show. I still see that in the college game. That's 1 reason I prefer the cws over the world series anymore.

[gwhunter]

I love baseball at any level. Not all pro baseball players are bad. Jeter, Texeria, Pedroi just to name a few go all out night after night. One time we were at a wedding reception and I went out to smoke (since gave that up) and lo and behold about a block away there is a legion game being played. A couple of hours later I showed back up at the reception and of course my wife is pissed asking me where have I been. I said there was a ball game and she said she should have known where to find me.

[Harold]

Originally Posted by obert

I just remember not too long ago when baseball was a game and not a show. I still see that in the college game. That's 1 reason I prefer the cws over the world series anymore.

I still see MLB as a "game" and enjoy predicting pitches and other strategies that make it a game more than just a "show". I do get frustrated by the "pompous asses" in the game, as well as the Primadonna's. That is where the College Game is superior.

They take NOTHING for granted. Running out ALL batted balls. Hustling IN at the end of the inning. Giving the home plate ump "the eye" rather than taking advantage of a self-promoted cameo are just some of the advantages.

Bring back Pete Rose. His love for the whole game experience is being missed.

Harold F.

[obert]

Or George Brett, Ryne Sandberg, Ozzie Smith...

I love baseball, just have a hard time staying with the majors. Get a little dirt on the baseball, have to have another. The lack of effort, the time spent looking "pretty", playing for $$$ instead of fun. Steroid stories, Congress...All of it has taken it's toll on me for watching pro ball. Seen Baltimore on SC last night. A guy hits a HR into the seats and there was NOBODY in the seats. I think 4 or 5 fans came from somewhere (could have been employees or vendors, I don't know) to try to get the ball, but no one was in the stands at all. I think they are going to have to change something to keep people involved. A good start would be to cut their paychecks by 75% and start getting people back to the stadiums. All mho.

[Vikes forever]

Originally Posted by Harold

Bring back Pete Rose. His love for the whole game experience is being missed.

Harold F.

His "inside" knowledge could help millions make money...

Seriously though, it's guys like Manny and Big Poopi who don't run out grounders, or any number of players (imo Bonds was the worst) that sit at home plate and watch their homeruns. Or certain pitchers (Jaba) that go nuts on the mound after a strikeout. Back in the day something like that happened and you knew someone was gonna get plunked or get spiked sliding into second. The whole warning both sides after someone gets hit or thrown at has neutered the game that used to take care of things itself.

[obert]

Hey, at least it isn't the NBA...yet.

Nascar has become wussified too. Used to love when they hopped out of the car and hit eachother in the helmet. Now they take you out of contention if you say darn on tv. I agree, it was a lot better when they had berries.

[Harold]

The whole warning both sides after someone gets hit or thrown at has neutered the game that used to take care of things itself.

Way to change the subject, Vikes. We're talking BASEBALL here, not Ice Hockey!

But since you brought it up ( ), I am STILL mourning the loss of my beloved Nor't Stars.... My original Modano Jersey is fading just like his playing career...

OK, I admit, I mis-read your post. I like Joba's excitement, as long as it ISN'T taunting. Seeing players ENJOY the game by showing EMOTION is being lost from the game. Taunting deserves a beaning next trip to the plate.

Harold F.

[OldBaldGuy]

Better velcro.

It's become increasingly apparent this year that the answer to "slow" games is low-quality velcro in the MLB batters' gloves. The guy adjusts the straps on his batter's gloves, steps up to the plate, waves the bat over his head a few times, and then the pitcher throws the ball high and outside. No need to swing, so the batter doesn't. He does, however, step back out of the box, adjust his jock, and then, invariably, unstrap and then re-strap his batter's gloves before stepping back into the box. We need a Congressional investigation into the poor quality of MLB velcro.

[Mako]

So how come some of you fishermen are here complaining about being bored because they are sitting around waiting for something (in this case, a ball to be pitched)?

Edit: OK, reread it and see that people aren't complaining...just you CG! Now I know why you don't fish very often!

[Harold]

Now I know why you don't fish very often!

I suppose "stabbing" is still considered "fishing".

Since Mako has already hijacked this smooth moving discussion, I'll continue it with ANOTHER question.

Why do we call male hunters "Hunters" and female hunters "Hunters", but we call "FISHERS" either fishermen or fisherwomen. Hmmmmm?

Harold F.

Baseball, Brauts and Toyota. The NEW Great American Tradition.