One of the biggest knocks people have against baseball is the snail-like speed of the game. Unless you are at the game or it is genuinely exciting, it might be more appealing to take a hammer to your head then sit through an entire game. Apparently, MLB officials seem to agree. I found it really interesting when I found out that Boston Red Sox' closer, Jonathan Papelbon, was fined $5,000 for taking too long to throw his first pitch Friday night.As goofy as this seemed when I first read the article, I think this is a good idea by MLB. Like the NYC honking law, I doubt this rule has ever been enforced, but I say start hampering down on players! Games last longer than they ever have, and most of the time they are not that fun. A typical Yankees or Red Sox game lasts over four hours! I like that MLB took a stand here. I think there are way too many pitchers that take their sweet time between pitches. Nothing drives me more crazy then when a pitcher shakes off the catcher three times then walks off the mound. Pitchers will say this timing rule will throw off their rhythm, but get used to it! After all, you are professional athletes!
I think if MLB is going to crack down on this rule, then it is only fair to impose fines against other players that take too much time to do something. Right now it appears that only pitchers can be fined, but how about expanding this to hitters as well. They are as much to blame for the length of games these days. A batter should not be allowed to step out of the batters' box after every pitch. Think about how much time would be saved if a batter didn't wonder around doing who knows what between pitches. I have personally perfected the art of running to the kitchen to pour a drink and returning to the TV before the next pitch is thrown. I heard Bud Seliq a couple years ago say there was an understanding between umpires and hitters about stepping out of the box. However, I've never seen an umpire get into it with a player about taking his time. Seliq says a lot of things, but we all know he is a joke of a commissioner.
I normally rip baseball for their decisions, as it is a horribly run league, but I'll give them credit for this. Thanks for finally thinking of the fans who do not want to watch games till all hours of the night. Unfortunately, I doubt any extensive time rules will pass through the Players' Union, and I am sure Papelbon will appeal and get his five grand back. That is how baseball works after all.
Pat Morgan
2 comments:
The problem with this rule, if I understand it correctly, is that it is under the referees' discretion whether or not the pitcher is taking too long. Is there a specific time limit, such as a play clock for the NFL? Because if it is under the discretion of the refs, then all the games will be different. I think there is too much room for bias.
Yeah, I agree with you about the bias. It's more wishful thinking on my part that they'd enforce or expand their rules.
There are some certain rules in the ESPN article if you want to click the title, but I don't see umps holding stop watches, haha.
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