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I agree with the time, the issue is how they are enforcing it. When you flat out say, you have 3 pitches, you are not enforcing the time rule, but are enforcing a rule different than what is in the book.
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You just proved to yourself even when a team is hustling they are taking 50% more time than allowed by rule throwing 5 pitches. The umpires saying 3 pitches have simply realized that is approximately the number of pitches that can be completed in 1 minute and rather than go into a lengthy explanation about 1 minute between innings they just say 3 pitches. The rule also does not guarantee 5 pitches, it says 1 minute to throw not more than 5.
It isnt that big a deal in a non timed game except for dragging the game out longer, but it does become a huge deal in timed games. You get both teams taking an extra 30 seconds between innings and that could be up to 6 minutes of wasted time in a 7 inning game. Add in all the players having to huddle up and high 5 each other, hip bump and dance and you are easily talking a full inning of wasted time that could have been played.