One simple solution that every year is broached in various ways.
Have the umpires enforce the rules that are on the books. Batters already have restrictions on getting and staying in the box; likewise the pitchers already have a time limit for delivering the pitch. Give the umpires the mandate to enforce those rules.
While we're discussing 'out of the box' ideas like Banning Shifts...
how about this one. Do away with ground rule doubles. Way long ago (prior to 1917 i believe) all balls that went over the fence were home runs. My thought is to make them ground rule triples.
Another idea way out of the box...
Let the batter run to either first or third base (and base runners do the same so long as they run according to the batters preference). How about that for excitement and offense! Note that this rule is already in affect in some recreational leagues.
then again we could do like Hoops... a three run homer for all over 425ft (i better quit this before someone accuses me of being unpatriotic).
chad kreuter's hat - 11 years ago
It seems like the only people who care about the length of games are the media.
BillS - 11 years ago
I think pace of play improvement would be more helpful than shrinking the strike zone, banning defensive shifts, etc. If there were a combination of a pitch timer and requiring the batter to stay in the box unless he swings would be beneficial. It is frustrating to watch a batter step out of the box on every pitch, adjust his gloves, grab a handful of dirt (and other things), etc. when he hasn't made any attempt to swing at a pitch. Similarly, some pitchers are unnecessarily slow between pitches.
Bobr - 11 years ago
It has been repeated often before, but given the poll, requires restating again. For many, the issue is not the length of games but the pace. I am among those who likes being in the ball park and has no problem if a game takes 3 hours because there is a lot of action. I am happy with 1-0 games and with 8-7 games and with extra inning games.
Actually, I am not really much bothered by slow paced games but recognize that at times it can be a problem. A Steve Trachsel slow pitcher or a Nomar Garciaparra fidgeting batter is tiresome, and I want umpires to enforce the rules that requires the pitcher to deliver the pitch quicker and the batter to stay in the box. That might shorten the game, but more to the point, it would keep the action moving, and that is the real issue.
One simple solution that every year is broached in various ways.
Have the umpires enforce the rules that are on the books. Batters already have restrictions on getting and staying in the box; likewise the pitchers already have a time limit for delivering the pitch. Give the umpires the mandate to enforce those rules.
While we're discussing 'out of the box' ideas like Banning Shifts...
how about this one. Do away with ground rule doubles. Way long ago (prior to 1917 i believe) all balls that went over the fence were home runs. My thought is to make them ground rule triples.
Another idea way out of the box...
Let the batter run to either first or third base (and base runners do the same so long as they run according to the batters preference). How about that for excitement and offense! Note that this rule is already in affect in some recreational leagues.
then again we could do like Hoops... a three run homer for all over 425ft (i better quit this before someone accuses me of being unpatriotic).
It seems like the only people who care about the length of games are the media.
I think pace of play improvement would be more helpful than shrinking the strike zone, banning defensive shifts, etc. If there were a combination of a pitch timer and requiring the batter to stay in the box unless he swings would be beneficial. It is frustrating to watch a batter step out of the box on every pitch, adjust his gloves, grab a handful of dirt (and other things), etc. when he hasn't made any attempt to swing at a pitch. Similarly, some pitchers are unnecessarily slow between pitches.
It has been repeated often before, but given the poll, requires restating again. For many, the issue is not the length of games but the pace. I am among those who likes being in the ball park and has no problem if a game takes 3 hours because there is a lot of action. I am happy with 1-0 games and with 8-7 games and with extra inning games.
Actually, I am not really much bothered by slow paced games but recognize that at times it can be a problem. A Steve Trachsel slow pitcher or a Nomar Garciaparra fidgeting batter is tiresome, and I want umpires to enforce the rules that requires the pitcher to deliver the pitch quicker and the batter to stay in the box. That might shorten the game, but more to the point, it would keep the action moving, and that is the real issue.