I think getting rid of warm up pitches when a new pitcher comes in would help. They've already warmed up in the bullpen so they should be ready to go.
Interesting article about baseball's future
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Last: 11 yr ago by Stros94
The baseball card thread motivated me to bring this up here. This may sound silly but I think MLB should do a better job of trying to mainstream baseball cards with a focus on kids rather than investors/hobbyists. There is more competition for attention and dollars today and baseball cards have died as the popularity of baseball declines (chicken or egg?).
My kids love baseball already but when they started collecting cards it went to another level. They watch games almost every night with their binder in front of them. They feel like they know the player and have a connection because the card is something they own. When that player does something good they feel an extra level of excitement. They also read the back and ask a lot of questions, which helps them learn about the game and what it all means.
Cards help them identify with the players. When they play baseball they pretend to be Mike Trout etc, like many of us who pretended to be Players from past generations. They want to see them play live ($). My kids talk about their cards and their friends go home and ask daddy for cards of their own.
A kid can't be a Pokemon character when he grows up. There should be no reason why baseball cards can't help reverse the culture shift (at least a little bit).
One pack of baseball cards in the hands of a kid who otherwise would never see one could make a difference. How can baseball find a way to make that happen?
Sorry for the tangent but I've seen the significant effect with my own eyes and I remember the same feeling when I was a kid (and I wasn't much of a collector).
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/sports/baseball/fewer-are-investing-hearts-and-money-into-collecting-baseball-cards.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
My kids love baseball already but when they started collecting cards it went to another level. They watch games almost every night with their binder in front of them. They feel like they know the player and have a connection because the card is something they own. When that player does something good they feel an extra level of excitement. They also read the back and ask a lot of questions, which helps them learn about the game and what it all means.
Cards help them identify with the players. When they play baseball they pretend to be Mike Trout etc, like many of us who pretended to be Players from past generations. They want to see them play live ($). My kids talk about their cards and their friends go home and ask daddy for cards of their own.
A kid can't be a Pokemon character when he grows up. There should be no reason why baseball cards can't help reverse the culture shift (at least a little bit).
One pack of baseball cards in the hands of a kid who otherwise would never see one could make a difference. How can baseball find a way to make that happen?
Sorry for the tangent but I've seen the significant effect with my own eyes and I remember the same feeling when I was a kid (and I wasn't much of a collector).
quote:
She first opened 33 years ago in this tiny town tucked into the northeast corner of Georgia. It was an era when baseball card collecting engaged scores of passionate Americans, especially children.
The hobby ultimately engulfed adult baby boomers — some driven by the investment potential, others willing to spend considerable discretionary dollars just for fun. By the early 1990s, baseball cards were the engine of a full-blown billion-dollar industry that capitalized on a card collection craze.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/sports/baseball/fewer-are-investing-hearts-and-money-into-collecting-baseball-cards.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
I completely agree. How much are the packs that your kids buy? What brands?
We pay them $5 per week for doing chores (ages 10 (girl) 7, and 6 (boys). The boys have been spending all of it on cards lately (the savings lessons went out the window when they started collecting).
Anyway, for $5, they can get a couple Topps foil packs of 17 cards each (2014 players). There are packs of 12 for $1.99. They are surrounded by every other type of card from WWE to Pokemon at Target, Wal Mart etc, so they probably get lost in the shuffle.
I think I'm going to hand out single cards on Halloween to do my part!
[This message has been edited by Sandman98 (edited 7/29/2014 9:42p).]
Anyway, for $5, they can get a couple Topps foil packs of 17 cards each (2014 players). There are packs of 12 for $1.99. They are surrounded by every other type of card from WWE to Pokemon at Target, Wal Mart etc, so they probably get lost in the shuffle.
I think I'm going to hand out single cards on Halloween to do my part!
[This message has been edited by Sandman98 (edited 7/29/2014 9:42p).]
Getting rid of practice between innings and warmup pitches would go a long way. Of course the practice between innings is prime commercial time, so that'll never happen.
Even with the sport "dying", its players are still making the most money.
Even with the sport "dying", its players are still making the most money.
Even if the games are longer, football games seem to have more action for the viewer. In baseball, a guy may have a 6 pitch at-bat that may only involve the pitcher, catcher and batter never putting the bat on the ball. In football, even boring plays have a vast majority of the participants in action.
Baseball needs to create a quicker pace in between pitches and outs in order to maximum the feeling of action, in my opinion. The only one foot outside of the batters box is a step as well as a 'pitch clock' that gives pitchers a limited amount of time between pitches to make the pitch when nobody is on base.
I also would advocate for a limited number of mound visits (time-outs) per game, somewhere around 2. I would also advocate for pitching changes coming from the dugout rather than have the coach walk to the mound and take up an additional 45 seconds before the relief pitcher even begins running onto the field. Limiting warm-up pitches when coming into the game during a 'open' inning I like as well.
In reality, the length of the game is not nearly as much a problem as the pace or perception of pace of the game.
Baseball needs to create a quicker pace in between pitches and outs in order to maximum the feeling of action, in my opinion. The only one foot outside of the batters box is a step as well as a 'pitch clock' that gives pitchers a limited amount of time between pitches to make the pitch when nobody is on base.
I also would advocate for a limited number of mound visits (time-outs) per game, somewhere around 2. I would also advocate for pitching changes coming from the dugout rather than have the coach walk to the mound and take up an additional 45 seconds before the relief pitcher even begins running onto the field. Limiting warm-up pitches when coming into the game during a 'open' inning I like as well.
In reality, the length of the game is not nearly as much a problem as the pace or perception of pace of the game.
quote:
We pay them $5 per week for doing chores (ages 10 (girl) 7, and 6 (boys). The boys have been spending all of it on cards lately (the savings lessons went out the window when they started collecting).
Anyway, for $5, they can get a couple Topps foil packs of 17 cards each (2014 players). There are packs of 12 for $1.99. They are surrounded by every other type of card from WWE to Pokemon at Target, Wal Mart etc, so they probably get lost in the shuffle.
I think I'm going to hand out single cards on Halloween to do my part!
[This message has been edited by Sandman98 (edited 7/29/2014 9:42p).]
I think starting next season, I'll try to collect all the Rangers each year. Maybe all the Ranger cards ever.
Imagine what a 2014 Jim Adduci will be worth in twenty years.
thinking about baseball's very near future...as in the 2014 world series...
what a disaster ratings-wise an all-California WS would be. And right now that's a very strong possibility unless the Dodgers spit the bit in the playoffs again
what a disaster ratings-wise an all-California WS would be. And right now that's a very strong possibility unless the Dodgers spit the bit in the playoffs again
Wow that is some tedious ****. Needed though.
Experimental pace of game rules will be in place for all AFL games and will include the following:
BATTER'S BOX RULE: The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout his at-bat, unless one of a series of established exceptions occurs, in which case the batter may leave the batter's box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate. (Exceptions include a foul ball or a foul tip; a pitch forcing the batter out of the batter's box; "time" being requested and granted; a wild pitch or a passed ball; and several others.)
NO-PITCH INTENTIONAL WALKS: In the event a team decides to intentionally walk a batter, no pitches shall be thrown. Instead, the manager shall signal to the home plate umpire with four fingers, and the batter should proceed to first base to become a runner.
20-SECOND RULE [AT 17 SALT RIVER FIELDS HOME GAMES ONLY]: A modified version of Rule 8.04, which
discourages unnecessary delays by the pitcher, shall apply. Rule 8.04 requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied. The penalty prescribed by Rule 8.04 for a pitcher's violation of the Rule is that the umpire shall call "Ball."
In the AFL games at Salt River, a clock will be displayed in both dugouts, behind home plate, and in the outfield. The clock will be operated by an independent operator, who is not a member of the umpire crew. A pitcher shall be allowed 20 seconds to throw each pitch. The batter must be in the box prepared for the pitch during the entire 20-second period. If the batter steps out of the box during the 20-second period, the pitcher may deliver the pitch and the umpire may call a strike, unless the batter was first granted time by the umpire. As described in Rule 6.02(b) Comment, umpires may grant a hitter's reasonable request for "Time" under appropriate circumstances.
The 20-second clock shall begin when the pitcher is in possession of the ball, regardless of whether the batter is in the box or otherwise alert to the pitcher; provided, however, that (1) with respect to the first pitch to each batter, the clock shall begin when the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher, (2) with respect to a pitch to a batter following a play in which the pitcher was involved as a fielder (including backing up throws), the clock shall begin when the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher, and the pitcher has entered the dirt circle to approach the pitcher's plate to begin pitching to the batter, and (3) after a hitter fouls off a pitch, the clock shall begin when the umpire points to the pitcher and says "Play." Please note that the Official Baseball Rules governing quick pitches still apply.
The clock will stop only when the pitcher begins his motion to deliver the ball (and not "when the pitcher releases the ball" as prescribed in Rule 8.04). Beginning the motion of coming to the set position shall be sufficient to stop the clock. If the pitcher maintains possession of the ball without beginning his pitching motion for more than 20 seconds, the Umpire shall call "Ball." The umpire shall give the pitcher a reasonable opportunity to take his proper position on the pitcher's plate after the umpire has called a ball and before the umpire calls a successive ball pursuant to this Rule.
2:05 INNING BREAK CLOCK: There shall be a maximum 2:05 break between innings. Hitters must enter the batter's box by the 1:45 mark. When batters violate this rule, the Umpire may call an automatic strike. When batters are set by the appropriate time and pitchers fail to throw a pitch before the conclusion of the 2:05 period, the Umpire shall call a ball.
2:30 PITCHING CHANGE BREAK CLOCK: There shall be a maximum 2:30 break for pitching changes, including pitching changes that occur during an inning break. The first pitch must be thrown before the conclusion of the 2:30 period or the umpire shall call a ball. The clock shall start when the new pitcher enters the playing field (i.e., crosses the warning track, or foul line).
THREE "TIME OUT" LIMIT: Each team shall be permitted only three "Time Out" conferences per game (including extra innings). Such conferences shall include player conferences with the pitcher (including the catcher), manager or coach conferences with the pitcher, and coach conferences with a batter. Conferences during pitching changes, and time outs called as a result of an injury or other emergency, shall not be counted towards this limit. A manager, coach or player will not be permitted to call a fourth time out in violation of this Rule. In such cases, the game will continue uninterrupted, and offenders may be subject to discipline.
Experimental pace of game rules will be in place for all AFL games and will include the following:
BATTER'S BOX RULE: The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout his at-bat, unless one of a series of established exceptions occurs, in which case the batter may leave the batter's box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate. (Exceptions include a foul ball or a foul tip; a pitch forcing the batter out of the batter's box; "time" being requested and granted; a wild pitch or a passed ball; and several others.)
NO-PITCH INTENTIONAL WALKS: In the event a team decides to intentionally walk a batter, no pitches shall be thrown. Instead, the manager shall signal to the home plate umpire with four fingers, and the batter should proceed to first base to become a runner.
20-SECOND RULE [AT 17 SALT RIVER FIELDS HOME GAMES ONLY]: A modified version of Rule 8.04, which
discourages unnecessary delays by the pitcher, shall apply. Rule 8.04 requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied. The penalty prescribed by Rule 8.04 for a pitcher's violation of the Rule is that the umpire shall call "Ball."
In the AFL games at Salt River, a clock will be displayed in both dugouts, behind home plate, and in the outfield. The clock will be operated by an independent operator, who is not a member of the umpire crew. A pitcher shall be allowed 20 seconds to throw each pitch. The batter must be in the box prepared for the pitch during the entire 20-second period. If the batter steps out of the box during the 20-second period, the pitcher may deliver the pitch and the umpire may call a strike, unless the batter was first granted time by the umpire. As described in Rule 6.02(b) Comment, umpires may grant a hitter's reasonable request for "Time" under appropriate circumstances.
The 20-second clock shall begin when the pitcher is in possession of the ball, regardless of whether the batter is in the box or otherwise alert to the pitcher; provided, however, that (1) with respect to the first pitch to each batter, the clock shall begin when the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher, (2) with respect to a pitch to a batter following a play in which the pitcher was involved as a fielder (including backing up throws), the clock shall begin when the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher, and the pitcher has entered the dirt circle to approach the pitcher's plate to begin pitching to the batter, and (3) after a hitter fouls off a pitch, the clock shall begin when the umpire points to the pitcher and says "Play." Please note that the Official Baseball Rules governing quick pitches still apply.
The clock will stop only when the pitcher begins his motion to deliver the ball (and not "when the pitcher releases the ball" as prescribed in Rule 8.04). Beginning the motion of coming to the set position shall be sufficient to stop the clock. If the pitcher maintains possession of the ball without beginning his pitching motion for more than 20 seconds, the Umpire shall call "Ball." The umpire shall give the pitcher a reasonable opportunity to take his proper position on the pitcher's plate after the umpire has called a ball and before the umpire calls a successive ball pursuant to this Rule.
2:05 INNING BREAK CLOCK: There shall be a maximum 2:05 break between innings. Hitters must enter the batter's box by the 1:45 mark. When batters violate this rule, the Umpire may call an automatic strike. When batters are set by the appropriate time and pitchers fail to throw a pitch before the conclusion of the 2:05 period, the Umpire shall call a ball.
2:30 PITCHING CHANGE BREAK CLOCK: There shall be a maximum 2:30 break for pitching changes, including pitching changes that occur during an inning break. The first pitch must be thrown before the conclusion of the 2:30 period or the umpire shall call a ball. The clock shall start when the new pitcher enters the playing field (i.e., crosses the warning track, or foul line).
THREE "TIME OUT" LIMIT: Each team shall be permitted only three "Time Out" conferences per game (including extra innings). Such conferences shall include player conferences with the pitcher (including the catcher), manager or coach conferences with the pitcher, and coach conferences with a batter. Conferences during pitching changes, and time outs called as a result of an injury or other emergency, shall not be counted towards this limit. A manager, coach or player will not be permitted to call a fourth time out in violation of this Rule. In such cases, the game will continue uninterrupted, and offenders may be subject to discipline.
His 3 ball walk and rotating every kid at pitcher are terrible ideas. When kids at the lower levels aren't throwing strikes, it's because they can't, not because they are nibbling or don't have incentive to. The challenge at that age is getting more balls put in play, and both of these ideas would only expand the walkfests that many little league games turn into.
At the younger ages, starting with a 1-1 count will most definitely result in more action. Most kids don't like batting with two strikes so they have a tendency to swing at anything close when they already have a strike where they will be more selective in a 0 strike count.
That is why a lot of coaches will start batters with a 1-1 count in inner squad scrimmages.
That is why a lot of coaches will start batters with a 1-1 count in inner squad scrimmages.
"Extinction" lol lost his credibility right there. The rotating kids at pitcher idea is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. Obviously has no experience at all in coaching or watching youth baseball
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