Time limit games

[kylejt]

We use the first pitch as the start time, as they do in MLB. The scorekeeper handles the time, and I'll relay it to both benches on the first changeover.

[Rich Ives]

Each league should designate when the start time is. If they don't then:

Under OBR:

4.02 "The players of the home team shall take their defensive positions, the first batter of the visiting team shall take his position in the batter’s box, the umpire shall call 'Play' and the game shall start."

Under NCAA:

Rule 5
Starting the Game
SECTION 1. "The game begins when the umpire-in-chief calls 'Play.'"

Under FED:

4-1-5 "The game begins when the umpire calls 'Play' after all infielders, pitcher, catcher and batter are in position to start the game." I wonder why the outfielders don't have to be in position?

[gfgartland]

The league that I work for uses both a time-limit on games (no inning starts after 2:10 from start of game, no inning start within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time of the next game on the field) and a curfew (no inning start after 8:40pm on unlighted fields, no inning starts after 10:30pm on lighted). And one of the most important things that I have found to stress to coaches is that I have the official time. No matter what someone's cell phone says. I tell them what I have on my watch (a stopwatch that keeps time as well) at the pregame conference, so that everyone is on the same page.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Under FED:

4-1-5 "The game begins when the umpire calls 'Play' after all infielders, pitcher, catcher and batter are in position to start the game." I wonder why the outfielders don't have to be in position?

Rich: This provision might be intended to allow for the possibility that a team doesn't field any outfielders at the start of the game (e.g., if they're all infielders for the lead-off batter).

[DonInKansas]

We use time of first pitch. I usually have the home book, who 9/10 times has a watch, write down the time.

[DG]

I show both coaches my watch, which will be in my ball bag, and it will be the official time and we agree on start time as the plate meeting breaks up. I generally add one minute and say "by the time we get started it will be...." They then generally look at their watches to get a comparison to what their watch has.

[ManInBlue]

I announce "game time is...and it starts now" as we break up the plate meeting. We've been instructed to start the time at that point.

I have a clock/timer on my indicator so I have it with me at all times (put it in my pocket when on the bases).

I have the official time and announce that time has expired when my timer reaches 0:00 (or real close). Trust me, they're keeping track and will raise Cane if you short them 1 minute.

At one park they have a timer on the score board - everyone knows how much time is left.

[ozzy6900]

Interesting points from all of you. Let me say that I do not agree with Rich Ives for a timed game as going by Rule Book Game Start allows the home team to perform their warm up off the clock. I don't care if you limit the pitcher to 8 pitches, he his still off the clock if you do it this way.

Remember, baseball is a non-timed sport, so if you are going to set a clock to it, everything that the teams do must be timed. Therefore, I agree with starting the clock at the end of the plate meeting is the only fair way for both teams. Now if it is a cold morning and the home coach wants a couple of more warm up throws for his prize pitcher, its all on the clock!

[PeteBooth]

The problem with using the first pitch as start time is you have now given one team an advantage.

The HT F1 gets to throw his warm-up pitches UNTIMED whereas the VT F1 throws his warm-ups TIMED Suppose the HT is LAZY and takes their "sweet time" getting onto the field or F2 isn't ready yet etc.

You do not RESET the clock after the top of one is complete so that the VT F1 gets FREE warm-ups.

It's simple, after Plate meeting is finished we tell BOTH coaches it's 4:30 and the clock STARTS at that point. if the HT wants to "dilly dally" on their way out the clock is ticking.

Pete Booth

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

The problem with using the first pitch as start time is you have now given one team an advantage.

The HT F1 gets to throw his warm-up pitches UNTIMED whereas the VT F1 throws his warm-ups TIMED Suppose the HT is LAZY and takes their "sweet time" getting onto the field or F2 isn't ready yet etc.

You do not RESET the clock after the top of one is complete so that the VT F1 gets FREE warm-ups.

It's simple, after Plate meeting is finished we tell BOTH coaches it's 4:30 and the clock STARTS at that point. if the HT wants to "dilly dally" on their way out the clock is ticking.

Pete Booth

And every team gets this "free" time at half of their games.

[johnnyg08]

Whether the clock has started or not, don't the rules still govern how long they have to do their warm up pitches? Even if the clock hasn't started, you can still umpire right?

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by PeteBooth

The problem with using the first pitch as start time is you have now given one team an advantage.


Pete Booth

We give both starting pitchers all the time they need in the first inning. After that, it's one minute on the changeovers. It works, and may add an extra 30 seconds to the game.