The Pecan Park Eagle

“I was a rookie when I reached 1st back on an error in the 3rd inning. Now it’s only the 6th inning and we are still tied at 0-0. If this were soccer, the game would have been over hours ago and somebody would’ve been awarded the win on style points.”

The following is a verbatim report from the Atlantic (Independent) League on their determination to speed up the pace of play in baseball games, effective August 1st of this season. All of these measures seem reasonable, all contain a system of discrete measurement, all hold consequences for a player and his team if they are not abided, and everyone of them are going to require umpires, or additional field over-site staff, to work harder and keep track of those items that must now be monitored to keep the re-education process of positive change alive.

I’ve long believed, for example, that Rule 8.04 (requiring the pitcher to deliver the ball within 12 seconds when the bases are unoccupied) was a good one, but that it only lasted for as long as the umpires paid it clear and consistent enforcement attention. Once the umpires began to wilt on the steady grind and heat of a long season, it fell by the wayside as a rule that no one any longer took seriously.

Aside from the changes here that allow for an automatic pinch runner for catchers and the signal to first on intentional walks that no longer requires clubs to risk throwing a wild pitch in the normal four ball tosses, the biggest challenge for arbiters is going to be  keeping up and maintaining a uniform attention to these rule enforcements. We don’t need change that expands upon the problem of the strike zone –  a change of pace program that depends entirely upon the way an individual chief umpire in the game decides to enforce the measures in place.

We may need some kind of official that keeps track of time and penalty ball/strike calls for violators in a way that doesn’t distract the home plate umpires as they continue their long–time search for the universal strike zone while also handling fair/foul, and safe/out calls – and settling player disputes.

Here’s the Atlantic League report. Your comments today especially will be appreciated:

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Atlantic League Ratifies Six Measures to Improve Pace of Play

The Atlantic League has announced that it has ratified six measures to begin August 1 and continue for the remainder of the 2014 season.  The ALPB will test the effectiveness of the new rules and their ability to speed up games and keep fans engaged.  All rules will be subject to future evaluation by the Pace of Play Committee and the ALPB Board of Directors.

After thorough evaluation, the Committee recommended the following six measures be adopted by the Atlantic League for immediate implementation during the balance of the 2014 ALPB season:

 ”Limited Time-Outs” Rule: The defensive team will be limited to three “time-outs” per game, in which mound visits or on-field conferences take place with the current pitcher.  Pitching changes will not be counted as “time-outs,” and in the case of extra innings, one additional “time-out” will be permitted at the start of the 10th inning and every three innings thereafter. Umpires will enforce a strict forty-five second time limit on said “time-outs.”  If the umpire’s warning is disregarded by the defensive team and play continues to be delayed, the umpire shall declare a “ball” for the batter at the plate.  This will limit the number of times play is interrupted by on-the-field conferences.\\

The “Substitute-Runner for the Catcher” Rule: When a catcher reaches base safely as a batter, the manager will immediately a substitute-runner who is not currently in the line-up to take the catcher’s place on base.  This ensures that the start of an inning is not delayed while waiting for the catcher to suit up.

Reduced Number of Warm-Up Pitches: Reduce the number of preparatory “warm-up” pitches at the beginning of an inning, or when a relief pitcher enters the game, from eight pitches to six, within 60 seconds. Timing is consistent with Rule 8.03 stating preparatory pitches shall not consume more than one minute of time.

Automatic Awarding of an Intentional Walk: When a manager or catcher on the defensive team indicates to the home plate umpire they wish to issue an intentional base on balls, the batter is to be automatically awarded first base without the need for the pitcher to deliver four balls.

Directing Umpires to Apply and Enforce Rule 6.02 and Rule 8.04: The Atlantic League office shall intensify its directives to the umpires and direct them to be more diligent applying and enforcing Rule 6.02 (restricting batters “stepping out” of the batter’s box) and Rule 8.04 (requiring the pitcher to deliver the ball within 12 seconds when the bases are unoccupied).

Directing Umpires to Control the Pace of Play: ALPB umpires shall be reminded that they control the pace of play and that they need to exercise that control and move the game along in a timely manner.  The umpires shall adhere to the entire strike zone as defined in Rule 2.00 and observe that definition when calling pitches balls or strikes.

Rick White, President of the Atlantic League said, “We are excited to put these new efforts in place and observe how they impact the pace of play.  We hope that these measures, along with others being considered, not only enhance the game for the Atlantic League but serve as a model for other leagues.”

The Pace of Play Committee is chaired by Tal Smith, former President of the Houston Astros and comprised of former MLB executives and players with over 250 years of collective experience in the Major Leagues, including Pat Gillick, Roland Hemond, Joe Klein, Cecil Cooper, Bud Harrelson and Sparky Lyle. Through July 11, 2014, they reviewed ideas and suggestions from various sources. For more on the Pace of Play Committee, visit www.atlanticleague.com/paceofplay

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Have a nice weekend, everybody. – Hope you’re not in a hurry to get there and get home before midnight.