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WBC tweaks rules slightly
2009-01-29 18:24
by Bob Timmermann

The upcoming World Baseball Classic has announced six rules changes for the tournament starting on March 5.

  1. Pitch counts for each round have been increased from 60 to 70 in the first round, from 80 to 85 in the second round, and from 95 to 100 in the final rounds.
  2. Any pitcher who throws at least 30 pitches in a semifinal cannot pitch in the final.
  3. The MLB video replay rules will be in effect.
  4. Baseline coaches will have to wear helmets.
  5. Teams will have to announcer their starting pitcher at least one day in advance.
  6. The screwball Olympic extra-inning tiebreaker will be used if the game goes to a 13th inning. In the 13th inning, teams will start the inning with runners on first and second. No decision has been made yet though if the rule would be used for the final.

 

Comments
2009-01-29 18:42:52
1.   Gagne55
Scully will be happy about #4.
2009-01-29 18:45:08
2.   trainwreck
I hate that stupid Olympic rule.
2009-01-29 19:20:04
3.   berkowit28
2 What's the ostensible purpose of it?
2009-01-29 21:48:36
4.   Tripon
To be as annoying as possible?
2009-01-29 22:50:46
5.   Bob Timmermann
3
It's to make sure that games can be marketed as ending in a reasonable amount of time. Non baseball fans don't enjoy 18 inning, 6 1/2 hour long games.
2009-01-30 03:55:17
6.   Eric Enders
Non-baseball fans, by definition, don't enjoy ballgames of any length.

#6 is an abomination.

2009-01-30 07:18:41
7.   Ember Nickel
6 Haha! Well put.

#1 and 2 serve to remind me of my softball years. They don't have rules for getting removed if you throw eight balls in a row, do they?

2009-01-30 10:19:14
8.   Bob Hendley
Can't keep a good rule down.

I have never been to an X-inning mlb game. Do they reopen beer sales?

2009-01-30 13:19:22
9.   Bluebleeder87
2

Rules are rules.

2009-01-30 19:00:09
10.   das411
Dammit Bob, but would Chris Burke's name live on forever if Rule 6 had been in place then? I for one enjoyed watching the only 6.5 hour, 18 inning game in MLB history!
2009-01-31 13:55:16
11.   BALCO Lab Rats
I don't agree with rule #6, but I suppose that if they have pitch counts and restrictions regarding pitchers appearing in consecutive games, they need a way to try to end the game quickly to make sure there are enough pitchers left for the next game.
2009-01-31 18:51:18
12.   Eric L
If you have pitch counts in a tournament setting, you almost have to come up with a tie breaker rule. It isn't the most ideal way to finish a game, but it is better than some position player tossing meatballs at the end of the game.

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