If you could change ONE rule...

[TripleCrown9]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

I have no idea when the Pitch F/X clock starts, I think it's after the pitcher gets the ball.

That makes sense. I just timed 2 of Danny Farquhar's pitches from when he got the ball to when he pitched, and they were roughly 12 and 15 seconds, respectively.

[Jr.]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

I have no idea when the Pitch F/X clock starts, I think it's after the pitcher gets the ball.

Edit: If they base it on the Pitch F/X clock then no one would qualify. Mark Buehrle has the fastest Pace at 17.2 this year.

Edit2: I think if you rasied the clock to 21 seconds it'd be fine. It would force guys like Price and Papelbon to speed up.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.asp...=0&sort=12%2ca

Here's how it's calculated, http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/pitch...tween-pitches/

The way I calculate Pace, is by taking the difference between the start time of the first pitch in the plate appearance, and the end time of the last pitch in the plate appearance. I then divide by the number of pitches in that plate appearance (minus 1). Pickoff attempts are considered just another pitch, since they don’t have time stamps of their own. Anything that looks like a game delay between pitches is thrown out. The average pace is about 21.5 seconds.

This takes a lot more into account than the time from when the pitcher receives the ball to when he delivers.

[Equinox831]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

I'm assuming you guys saw the controversy around the White Sox and Giants game today.. This new blocking rule has got to change. It's not exactly a terrible idea, just the definition behind what exactly is blocking the plate is way too broad.

[KMRblue1027]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

If the Pace is clocking lots of extra time than enforcing the 12 second rule when the pitcher gets the ball would be likely be ok. I wish we had some kind of data on that alone, I love how fast Lee and Halladay used to pitch but I'm not sure if every pitcher can go that fast.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

I'd get rid of the new home plate collision nonsense.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

Yea, this home plate rule makes no damn sense. It's just absurd, I want to know who thought this was a good idea, because it's a huge fail.

[Blzer]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

I have a [dated] blog piece on the rule:

MLB collision rule: All in favor?

[Jr.]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

I don't mind the collision rule. Like any rule change, it's taken an adjustment period, but I've already seen catchers doing much better with figuring out their positioning.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

At the same time, I've seen outcomes of multiple games affected by the idiocy of it.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

I don't mind the collision rule. Like any rule change, it's taken an adjustment period, but I've already seen catchers doing much better with figuring out their positioning.

Needs to be defined better because the same plays are being called different ways. Also, this nonsense that a runner is called safe when they're thrown out by 10-15 feet needs to stop.

[Jr.]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

At the same time, I've seen outcomes of multiple games affected by the idiocy of it.

Early in the year, yes. The last month or so, I've seen a lot of consistency in the calls and outcomes of reviews.

Needs to be defined better because the same plays are being called different ways. Also, this nonsense that a runner is called safe when they're thrown out by 10-15 feet needs to stop.

This brings in more subjective judgment though. How far away does the runner have to be for the rule to not be in effect? If the runner is going to be out for sure, it should be even easier for the catcher to give a lane. He doesn't have to worry about making a quick tag, he can just stay planted in front of the plate and move into the lane once he receives the ball (which is allowed.. he just can't be in the way without it).

[TheMatrix31]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

Oh, reviews aren't the problems. The home plate rule is the problem. But that's always the case when unnecessary rules are put in place.

[Speedy]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

So I've been thinking about rule changes lately (catcher/pitcher visits, batter in the box implementation, replay system, etc.) and have decided on the biggest one I'd like to see implemented:

Limit the schedule/expand the postseason.

So to expound on my thoughts:

• Limit the # of games from 162 to 154
• Initial WC game is a best of 3
  • Back-to-back (no off days)
  
  
• Division is a best of 5
  • Minimal time (preferably 0 but at most 1 day) between WC finish to division start date
  • One day off in series (game 4 to accommodate for travel, rest players and and build hype)
  
  
• LCS & WS is best of 7
  • One day off (Game 5)
  
  

I don't like that the postseason has so many days off within each series; all season, a team must have 5 SPs but suddenly can get away with 3 or even 2 during the postseason! There should be a reward for finishing a series early to reset the rotation and a potential risk/penalty in pushing SPs with 2-3 days continually, even using RPs on a consistent basis. The more strategy in baseball, the better right?

Bumgardner was great in the 2014 WS but that would NEVER happen in the regular season and I think it placed SF in an advantage they wouldn't have had in a "normal" series in during the season. I'm not trying to hate on SF but any advantages/disadvantages that are had during the postseason which don't occur in the regular season just seems off to me.

[SpritePuck]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

Managers tend to argue calls in an attempt to get a call later in the game, or even in another game when that particular umpire/crew is working. It's rarely for the call at hand. I wouldn't say they don't accomplish anything (which I believe you are implying.. correct me if I'm wrong).

There is also a motivation factor with the players. Players tend to play harder for a manager they believe has their back and will support them when they disagree with a call.

As an athlete knowing your manager will argue for you is huge. You nailed this on all accounts. My only thing to add is managers can get away with more argueing or keep it at a level to avoid rejection easier than a heated athlete. In other words I have seen managers and coaches blow up to keep a player from doing it and being ejected. Often umps and officials tolerate a manager or coach more than an athlete. Also piss an ump off and boarderline pitches when in the box are suddenly strikes. As a catcher you are coached to never argue a call as your pitchers can take the brunt of your actions... let the skipper be the bad guy is the idea.

Heck, I take it beyond not argueing I kiss up to umps throughout the year. Learn there kids names, when my pitcher throws an obvious strike that gets called a ball I bite my tongue and will sometimes ask where it missed but always agree. By late innings that pitch that was outside in the first suddenly is hitting the zone and all I say is blue you called a fine game, glad she finally started hitting my mitt! And by the way catchers who umps like never hardly ever take strikes. Haha when we are at the plate if we didn't swing it had to be a ball. After all we are that cool girl who does her job behind the plate and makes his more enjoyable. MLB umps maybe are less human but at least for U19 and High School softball this is the case.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: If you could change ONE rule...

Bring back the spitball. Scuffing should still be illegal but a bit of sweat & spit, whilst not sanitary, would be entertaining to say the least. And if a pitcher wants a bit vaseline or some such, a little dab'll do ya lol. And if a vaseline ball were to be hit into play, it could actually backfire on the pitcher, if the fielder makes an errant throw with the sticky ball.
Of course, this is too far out there for the mainstream to jump on. I'm just spitballing ideas here.