No specific rule change proposals were given although it is believed that batters would be limited to stepping out of the box once per at bat, catchers would be able to go out to talk to pitchers just once per inning, and fewer fielders would be able to go visit the mound.
Rule changes would require the owners and players to agree and also, most importantly, getting the umpires to enforce them.
Another rule change will allow Kevin Youkilis only 10 foul balls per at bat before being called out because people want to go home.
I agree on the instant replay- to the purists who think it would slow the game down: I don't think it would take any more time than the current system, where the umps meet in the middle of the field for 10 minutes.
I do not agree about the mound visit changes. There are already a bunch of restrictions, and wasn't the average time of game down this year? Limiting catchers' visits just gives advantages to hitters, especially in their home ballpark.
Maybe there could be some kind of limit only when there's a pitcher warming up in the bullpen or something.
The only thing that needs to be done to speed up games is to shorten the amount of time between innings. That's what makes baseball games drag over 3 hours.
But since that's TV commercial time, that'll never happen.
Does it take a lot longer between pitches than it used to? My perception is yes, but perhaps they artificially speed up the rebroadcasts of old games on ESPN Classic.
But it does seem to take forever for the next pitch to happen.
4 start every game in the top of the 5th inning. the team batting has two baserunners, but each has to stand midway between 1st/2nd base & 2nd/3rd base respectively. when play starts, the catcher has the ball and may either make a throw or run at a baserunner.
the only downside i can foresee is that home plate umpires will have to be equipped with whistles to start the action.
I do not agree about the mound visit changes. There are already a bunch of restrictions, and wasn't the average time of game down this year? Limiting catchers' visits just gives advantages to hitters, especially in their home ballpark.
Maybe there could be some kind of limit only when there's a pitcher warming up in the bullpen or something.
But since that's TV commercial time, that'll never happen.
But it does seem to take forever for the next pitch to happen.
2) Start each inning with one out and a runner on second base.
3) Have a 10 second pitch clock. If the batters not ready, tough luck. You get a 10 second time out to fetch a new bat if yours breaks.
These are all bad ideas that would help speed up the game.
vr, Xei
Hell, start with the runner on first base. One pitch, grounder to short, double play, three outs. Change sides.
the only downside i can foresee is that home plate umpires will have to be equipped with whistles to start the action.
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