MLB Division Series, Day 5: All Four Series In Action Tuesday

This is as much about pace as it is length. I’ve said it a million times

A 12-11 game can take 3 1/2 hours and be thrilling, while a 5-0 game can take 90 minutes and be dull.

First, you have to enforce the “between pitches” time rule. With a clock, if needed. The constant stepping out from hitters is ridiculous.

1) Pitchers get 15 seconds from the time the return throw from the catcher reaches their gloves to deliver the ball either to home or to a base to hold a runner. Anything longer results in a ball added to the hitters count.

2) Hitters may not leave batters box between pitches except for injury, equipment malfunction or because they ducked out of the way of a pitch.

3) A defensive team gets ONE mound visit per half-inning and that visit — from the time the umpire grants the visit to the defender or defenders returning to position and being ready to play — may take no longer than 60 seconds.

4) Pitching changes must be completed in two minutes. That is, the exiting pitcher and manager must be back in the dugout, the new pitcher ready to pitch and the fielders ready to play, no longer than two minutes after the manager signals pitching change.

5) Replay is instituted and all players and managers are instructed that if they wish to argue a call, they should challenge the play. Otherwise, if they do not return to their position in 10 seconds, a ball or strike is added to the count on the hitter (depending on which side is being penalized) If they do not return to their position in 20 seconds, they are thrown out of the game. 30 seconds, they are suspended for five games.

It’s still a few thousand words short of Babe Ruth’s entry. Longer than Mickey Mantle or Joe DiMaggio’s, though!

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1617827/pitchers_who_have_won_both_the_cy_young.html

but yeah they do restrict things. For example I think I remember Jeff Kent was not allowed to ride his motorcycle or something.

…are trying to help the Cubs hire a new GM.

Though, I’m still very excited for the playoffs. Mark me down for the Brewers. They have a very solid 1-3 sp’s.