[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I've never viewed the courtesy runner rule as a "speed-up rule". After all, what speeding up does the pitcher need? He can get off the bases, go grab his glove, and head back to the mound faster than an outfielder can do that. The only speed-up rule out there is the one that gives teams one minute to get ready to start the next half-inning.

To me, the real purpose behind the courtesy runner rule is to give the two hardest working players on defense an opportunity to take a breather before they have to go back out onto the field.

The speed up notion is more along the lines of the catcher getting dressed - but I agree with you that it's only a speed up rule in idea only. It seems to not work that way functionally and is really more along the lines of what you just said.