[QUOTE]
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueTick48
Measures approved to speed up pace of play in SEC baseball
By JOHN ZENOR - The Associated Press
The Southeastern Conference is taking its swing at picking up the pace during baseball games.
The league’s athletic directors approved changes for the 2010 SEC tournament including a 20-second clock between pitches when the bases are empty and a 90-second limit between half innings, spokesman Chuck Dunlap said.
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IMO, a sport is either timed or it is NOT. baseball is not a timed sport.
Instead of "tweaking" with rediculous rules such as this 20 second clock 'thing" simply put a Time Limit on the game PERIOD which for amateur baseball would be a good thing.
Also, if you are going to have a time limit then other rules like number of visits to the mound et al would also change to avoid stalling tactics.
Some things that could be done "right away" to speed things up are
1. Re-define the strike zone to get more strikes and also force the batters to swing.
2. Go back to wood bats. From my experience the games are done in 20 minutes to 1/2 hour ahead of games played when the particpants use metal.
3. Limit defensive conferences. Here's what happens now. F2 goes out to talk to F1 while the defense gets someone warming up. Then F3, F4 F5 or F6 comes into talk to F1 etc . etc. then finally the coach comes out to remove said pitcher and then relief pitcher comes in and throws 8 warm-ups. This could take a good 10 - 15 minutes or so. Therefore, ONE defensive conference PERIOD meaning after F2 goes out to talk to F1 any other player or the manager comes out to talk to F1 it's by by F1.
4. Limit throws to first base. How many games have we seen held up because F1 is contsantly throwing over to first base 5/6 times or even more.
5. Strictly enforce the batter's box rule.
6. Other than a rule interpretation question a manager is NOT permitted to question a judgement decision PERIOD. Many games are held up because there is a close play on the bases etc. where the manager requests time and wants the umpire making the call to check with his partner etc. Also, the coach might carry on for a while. If there was a STRICT rule prohibiting this that would also decrease the amount of time. This is not PRO ball.
7. Finally - No Option on the Mercy Rule. NY State has NOT adopted the Mercy Rule for Varsity and frankly it's a joke.
Those are a few
Pete Booth