AFL Game testing out 20 second pitch clock, other assorted game-delay rules in AFL games

[Guest]

Tonight will be the third test run of an experimental pitch clock hoped to speed up the pace of games. Similar in concept to a shot clock in basketball, the clock gives the pitcher from the time he enters set position 20 seconds to either make a throw to first, or deliver a throw to the plate. If the pitcher goes over the allotted time, the pitcher is automatically charged with a ball in the count. Batters can also be penalized with strikes the count for game delay violations including taking excessive time outs, or failing to appear ready in the batters box at the start of a half-inning.

 

MLB is also testing an assortment of additional rules to speed up gameplay including a limit of 3 mound visits (injury visits excluded) similar to timeouts in football and basketball. They are also allowing manager to intentionally walk batter without requiring the pitcher to throw four balls. 

 

MLB.com will be streaming tonight's came with these rules in effect in Peoria at 6:35pm Pacific Time. 

 

The first few games to use the pitch clock have averaged under 2hr 20mins running time. concept seems interesting but I can anticipate a number of problems, including an unfair advantage to baserunners who will get a "head start" when the clock is near zero. 20 seconds also seems overly restrictive, a 25 or 30 second time limit may be more appropriate. I intend to watch some of the game tonight and reply with more of my thoughts in a follow-up.

[shellback]

sick of seeing mike maddox make 20 trips to the mound an inning just to feel the pitchers shoulder.

[DW711]

Is there a list of pitchers who actually do that now?

[Brent Maguire]

I think implementing a system similar to this would be great for baseball. Baseball games just need to shave off about 30 minutes per game and it'll be fine. 

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Any team who commits a pitch clock violation has to bring in Joe Blanton to throw the next pitch.

[Hollyw00d]

The problem isn't the time it takes from the set position, the issue is the time wasting by both the pitcher and batter right after a pitch is thrown while they adjust their gloves, fix their hair, scratch their balls and then get set.

[Second Base]

I love the measures MLB is taking lately.  The World Series no long takes place in November, it's kept to October, mostly for weather reasons but better nonetheless.  20 seconds really isn't that restrictive.  High school ball does the intentional walk without throwing the pitches.  I don't see any reason why the pros can't do it. 

 

I look forward to the day we have an electronic strike zone that can't be tampered with by arrogant, prideful and probably corrupt umpires. 

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

When will TPAB (time per AB) stat be introduced. Another category Trout will lead with all his antics.

Edited October 17, 2014 by SOTO

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

I love the measures MLB is taking lately. The World Series no long takes place in November, it's kept to October, mostly for weather reasons but better nonetheless. 20 seconds really isn't that restrictive. High school ball does the intentional walk without throwing the pitches. I don't see any reason why the pros can't do it.

I look forward to the day we have an electronic strike zone that can't be tampered with by arrogant, prideful and probably corrupt umpires.

Yes electronic strike zone will be awesome.

[Guest]

One area they could afford to improve is the replay system. Allowing managers to straddle the fence and stall while their bench coach looks at the film, then decide to call a challenge creates a lot of delays. It's also ridiculous that the replay calls are being reviewed in NYC and the crews there apparently aren't even starting to watch the footage until after the manger submits the official replay request. 

 

It would be a lot better if they simply had a 5th umpire at each game in a video booth watching in real time. If the video ump spots a missed call, or if an ump on the field requests a review, the umps could communicate via radio and settle on the the correct call in the ~20 seconds it takes the guys on TV to find a definitive viewing angle without even requiring managers to intervene at all most of the time. Instead the current system creates a bunch of 30 second interruptions followed by no challenge, and actual challenges sometimes take a few minutes.

Edited October 18, 2014 by ScottLux

[moccasin]

It's not the time between replays, or the IBB's that drive me crazy. They aren't that unpleasant and they're endurable.

It's the constant trips to the mound, and pitchers taking way too much time between pitches that are agonizing. Especially when the score isn't even close.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

It would be a lot better if they simply had a 5th umpire at each game in a video booth watching in real time. If the video ump spots a missed call, or if an ump on the field requests a review, the umps could communicate via radio and settle on the the correct call in the ~20 seconds it takes the guys on TV to find a definitive viewing angle without even requiring managers to intervene at all most of the time. Instead the current system creates a bunch of 30 second interruptions followed by no challenge, and actual challenges sometimes take a few minutes.

 

I agree with this. I don't know how many times, in both football and baseball, I have looked at one angle of a play and been able to make the call in a split second, yet it takes more than a minute for the replay booth to go over all the angles and make the call. If there were another crew member watching things as they happen, he could review anything that appeared very close or possibly controversial and communicate that to the home plate umpire through Bluetooth or something similar.

[Guest]

It's not the time between replays, or the IBB's that drive me crazy. They aren't that unpleasant and they're endurable.

It's the constant trips to the mound, and pitchers taking way too much time between pitches that are agonizing. Especially when the score isn't even close.

The limitation on mound visits is definitely good and should be done whether they do a clock or not. One idea I saw that that might eliminate the anticiapted problem of baserunners timing thier jumps is the third base ump could have a secret clock, similar to how the exact game clock in soccer is only known by the head referee. 

From what I've seen watching a couple innings of the AFL league though I do like the overall pacing of the game with some of these rules in place. Once batters and pitchers get used to time rules being enforced I don't think it would necessarily be too obtrusive. 

Edited October 18, 2014 by ScottLux

[ELEVEN]

Anything to get more TV commercials into a broadcast.

[Stradling]

I would put as much of the blame on the batter stepping out as I would the pitcher not pitching in a timely manner. I would implement a rule starting next year that a batter MUST keep at least one foot in the batters box the entire at bat. I wouldn't mind seeing almost like basket ball but a 3 second clock for the batter to be prepared. I would count catcher visits as a trip to the mound. Only one visit per inning, which means all subsequent trips means changing the pitcher. I would also give the pitcher coming in 3-5 warm up pitches, not 8. I also would implement a rule that if a pitcher is kicked out of a game the next pitcher gets zero warm up pitches.

Things I don't want:

-A pitch clock, just have the ump control the pace.

-Automated strike zones, it will never happen.