Mockery of the Game???

[UmpJM]

WWTB,

Perhaps you'll find Jim Evans more persuasive:

Historical Notes: This rule first appeared in 1892 and stated that a game shall be forfeited at the request of the offended club, “...if a team resorts to dilatory practices in order to gain time for the purpose of having the game called on account of darkness or rain, or for any other reason whatsoever.”

In 1933, the rule still only provided forfeiture in the case of delaying or stalling tactics. By 1942 the rule also included the offense of using tactics to shorten the game.

Customs and Usage: As a general rule, umpires should warn the offending team's manager of tactics they consider efforts to delay or shorten the game. If these tactics continue after the warning, the game shall be forfeited.

Situations:
The game was started under threatening skies and light rain has been falling for the past two innings. The visiting team leads 4-0 in the top of the 4th inning. The home team allows a routine fly ball to the right fielder to fall in front of him. Once the runner reaches 1st safely, the pitcher continuously throws over to 1st when the runner is still standing on the base. The rains intensify and the pitcher uncorks a wild pitch. The runner advances
to 2nd. Again, the pitcher attempts several pick-offs while the runner is standing on second.

RULING: The umpire should warn the manager of the home team that his team's tactics, in the umpire's judgment, are designed to delay the game until rain causes a cancellation. And, if such tactics continue, the game will be forfeited to the visiting team.

The visitors trail 5-0 with the home team batting in the bottom of the 4th inning. The first batter swings and misses three obvious pitches out of the strike zone. The next batter hits a one-hopper directly to the right fielder who fields the ball cleanly. The batter-runner rounds first and charges into second where the second baseman is patiently waiting on him. He tags him out for the second out.

RULING: The umpire should warn the home team manager that his team's tactics, in the umpire's judgment, are designed to shorten the game. And, if such tactics continue, the game will be forfeited to the visiting team.

30 seconds for a coach to give signals?!?!?! 15 Seconds?!?!? YGTBSM! How long do your games last?

JM