Baseball's 12-second rule

[markvid]

Does anyone know when the clock actually starts?
Batter in the box? Pitcher get ball?
Anyone know this one for fact?

 

[Angola!]

there's a 12-second rule?

 

[User 1019]

http://www.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp

8.04
When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.” The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

If they enforce it, every pitcher in MLB will be working like Tom Browning. That's a good thing.

 

[Starman]

I believe it used to be 20 seconds.

They ought to install an NBA-style clock behind home plate, and in center field.

Step up and pitch. Buzzer goes off, it's a ball.

Limit each batter and pitcher to ONE 5-second time out per at-bat.

Throw to first and the runner gets back standing up, that's a ball too.

 

[Hank_Scorpio]

That's the beauty of baseball. That there isn't a time clock like any of the other sports.


Of course, there are always the extreme cases where batters (Mike Hargrove) or pitchers (Rafael Betancourt) that this should be enforced. But, as a general rule, it's a bad idea.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

If they could just do something about the unnecessary pitching changes during playoff games, I'd be happy.

 

[Beachey]

I remember hearing Bill Veeck wanted to install a pitch clock but MLB stopped him.

 

[deskslave]

I'm pretty sure it was Betancourt and Manny Ramirez last year that I actually timed the gap between pitches. Bear in mind, it was bases empty, and I think two outs in the seventh. It was something like 59 seconds. Infuriating.

 

[mike311gd]

"A 12-second rule. What are you talking about?"

 

[joe]

"A 12-second rule. What are you talking about?"

Ah, Mr. Human Rain Delay his own self.

 

[Starman]

I remember hearing Bill Veeck wanted to install a pitch clock but MLB stopped him.

He did at one point, and the commissioner ordered it removed. Just because there's a rule on the books, no reason to enforce it. :

Also: Eliminate ALL warmup pitches for the second and any subsequent new pitchers in any one inning. They've been throwing in the bullpen, they should be ready to go.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

I remember hearing Bill Veeck wanted to install a pitch clock but MLB stopped him.

He did at one point, and the commissioner ordered it removed. Just because there's a rule on the books, no reason to enforce it. :

Also: Eliminate ALL warmup pitches for the second and any subsequent new pitchers in any one inning. They've been throwing in the bullpen, they should be ready to go.

A winning team should not be able to change pitchers if it has a lead of seven or eight runs or more.

 

[buckweaver]

Also: Eliminate ALL warmup pitches for the second and any subsequent new pitchers in any one inning. They've been throwing in the bullpen, they should be ready to go.

Terrible idea. Eight warmup pitches only takes about 90 seconds. That's not the problem. ... Ban most between-inning "entertainment" or limit it to said 90 seconds.

Of course, then precious TV could only show 3 quick commercials. Can't have that.

 

[fishwrapper]

I remember hearing Bill Veeck wanted to install a pitch clock but MLB stopped him.

He did at one point, and the commissioner ordered it removed. Just because there's a rule on the books, no reason to enforce it. :

Also: Eliminate ALL warmup pitches for the second and any subsequent new pitchers in any one inning. They've been throwing in the bullpen, they should be ready to go.

A winning team should not be able to change pitchers if it has a lead of seven or eight runs or more.

Really? What if a team scores 12 runs by the second inning? That starting pitcher must complete the game even if he's thrown 265 pitches?

 

[mike311gd]

I see absolutely no harm in that.

 

[Huggy]

Which umpire monitors this? Does the home-plate ump have a stopwatch?

The guys doing the Royals - Jays game last night on FSN KC (there was no Jays' feed due to hockey commitments) were talking about this rule and mentioning there was no need to worry about Hallday since he works so fast. Indeed, he went the route in 2:14.

 

[OJ1414]

Which umpire monitors this? Does the home-plate ump have a stopwatch?

The guys doing the Royals - Jays game last night on FSN KC (there was no Jays' feed due to hockey commitments) were talking about this rule and mentioning there was no need to worry about Hallday since he works so fast. Indeed, he went the route in 2:14.

I can't remember which team it was against or who the pitcher was but a couple weeks ago, in a Cubs game, the second or third base umpire pulled out a stopwatch at one point. The pitcher sped up shortly, though, and the watch was put away.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

I believe it used to be 20 seconds.

They ought to install an NBA-style clock behind home plate, and in center field.

Step up and pitch. Buzzer goes off, it's a ball.

Limit each batter and pitcher to ONE 5-second time out per at-bat.

Throw to first and the runner gets back standing up, that's a ball too.

My one issue with the buzzer is that it could be distracting for both the pitcher and the hitter. You don't want a buzzer going off right as the hitter is facing a 90 mile an hour fastball that may be heading for his head. Likewise, the buzzer could cause a pitcher to mess up his delivery, and hurt his arm.

 

[Cameron Frye]

I see absolutely no harm in that.