Carlton: What if we changed the rules?

[Brock Beauchamp]

The batter can step out if

 

(i) The batter swings at a pitch;

(ii) The batter is forced out of the batter's box by a pitch;

(iii) A member of either team requests and is granted Time;

(iv) A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at any base;

(v) The batter feints a bunt;

(vi) A wild pitch or passed ball occurs;

(vii) The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound after receiving the ball; or

(viii) The catcher leaves the catcher's box to give defensive signals.

Yep. Basically, the batter is allowed to step out between pitches. The one exception is if the pitcher is stalling, the batter may call time and step out again.

 

But if the pitcher has to deliver the pitch in 12 seconds, then the batter has to be back in the box and ready and the pitcher can't stall so the batter cannot call time and step out again.

 

Again, this issue goes away entirely if the 12 second rule is enforced. The fix to this problem is so maddeningly simple that I can't believe it's a point of discussion, really.

[Willihammer]

But if the pitcher has to deliver the pitch in 12 seconds, then the batter has to be back in the box and ready and the pitcher can't stall so the batter cannot call time and step out again.

I think you have that backwards.

 

The 12 seconds countdown begins after, not before, the batter has stepped into the box and is "alert to the pitcher."

 

 

8.04

When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call Ball. The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Ah, I missed that second part:

 

"The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher."

 

And read this:

 

"When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball."

 

Those two statements don't make a lot of sense next to each other. Does the 12 second timer start when the pitcher receives the ball or when the batter steps into the box?

[Willihammer]

I assume both conditions must be met.

 

Which is why I'm wondering how much time is actually spent in violation of the rule.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I assume both conditions must be met.

 

Which is why I'm wondering how much time is actually spent in violation of the rule.

True. A simple rule change would fix this if both conditions need to be met. Simply remove the batter from the equation. The pitcher has to deliver the ball within 12 seconds of receiving the ball.

[Willihammer]

True. A simple rule change would fix this if both conditions need to be met. Simply remove the batter from the equation. The pitcher has to deliver the ball within 12 seconds of receiving the ball.

I thought the whole appeal was that no rule change would be required?

[Brock Beauchamp]

I thought the whole appeal was that no rule change would be required?

The way I originally read the rule, that was true... If the batter has to be in the box before the "pitch clock" starts then a rule change is required, albeit it an extremely minor rule change. Basically, the deletion of a single sentence.

[REPETE]

I stopped watching Pelfrey games not only because he's unwatchable as a pitcher - the Twins have thrown too many of those types out on the mound in recent years to avoid completely - but because he's absolutely agonizing to watch.

 

The great thing about Pelfrey was he took so long, you could TIVO his games, and start watching about an hour into the game.  His pitches worked perfect with the "30 second jump".  The trouble came when he got knocked out in the 3rd inning, then you couldn't fast-forward between each pitch, and you still watched until 11PM.

 

Being at the games he pitched were hell! 

[Willihammer]

The way I originally read the rule, that was true... If the batter has to be in the box before the "pitch clock" starts then a rule change is required, albeit it an extremely minor rule change. Basically, the deletion of a single sentence.

The players wouldn't sign off. A 12 second clock? They tried a 20 second clock in the AFL and the players universally hated it. 12 seconds is nothing. It might be a small change but it would never pass. Besides if MLB is going to get out the red ink they can do a lot better than a clock.

[Paul Pleiss]

I'm curious to see how the pitch clock works, and what pitchers do in pressure situations, with the clock going down, when they're just not mentally ready to throw. Just take a ball and reset? Throw to first?

 

I need to do more research about this, to understand how it works, because I'm curious.

 

I think batters staying in the box is just as important, if not more, than a pitcher's clock.