Posted on 04/22/2018 5:22:44 PM PDT by Mariner
Since he took over as commissioner, Rob Manfred has made pace of play his biggest focus. He’s tried to implement new rules with the intention of speeding up every game.
On Sunday, San Fransisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt threw a pretty large wrench into those plans. He set the record for the longest at-bat in Major League Baseball’s modern era.
That’s right. Belt dragged out a 21-pitch at-bat against Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jaime Barria. That broke the previous record, which was set by Ricky Gutierrez, who turned in a 20-pitch at-bat against Bartolo Colón in 1998.
As you might expect, a 21-pitch at-bat takes a fair amount of time.
Roughly 13 minutes elapsed during Belt’s at-bat. The end of the battle wound up being a little anti-climatic. Belt flew out on pitch No. 21.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
4HR in the last 4 games, including today.
Be more concerned about the relief pitcher that took 1 minute for every pitch.
He should bat second. He’ll never knock in 100 runs. Wear out the starting pitcher. Good first baseman and a good baserunner.
And how often does even 6 happen ? Once in every dozen games, I'd guess.
NO! Don't mess with baseball, the game is perfect as it is. (Well, except for that Designated Hitter, thing)
The Angel pitcher threw 49 pitches in the first inning and didn’t give up a run. Oh my.
How many fans were carried out?
I used to be a big Bball fan. But got tired of the game seeming to be in slow motion.
IMHO, baseball needs a shotclock.
“He should bat second. He’ll never knock in 100 runs. Wear out the starting pitcher. Good first baseman and a good baserunner.”
He MAY never have 100 RBI, but he’s certainly on his way.
And the best defensive 1st base in the league.
Yeah, I like him 2nd in the order.
What would you do when somebody hits the limit?
Strikeout?
That would not be baseball.
“The Angel pitcher threw 49 pitches in the first inning and didn’t give up a run. Oh my.”
Then they sat his rookie ass down.
He was worn out.
If 6-10 fouls was common and always slowing the game, I'd consider giving the batter 6 chances to put it in play or sit.
But he never reached 21.
I could be wrong but in the early days of baseball, you WERE called out if you kept intentionally hitting fouls.
Think about how many rules have changed over the years.
At one time, umpires sat behind home plate in a rocking chair.
A batter could call for a high pitch or a low pitch.
Catchers were considered "sissies" if they wore gloves.
Designated hitters? Get out of here.
Even old timers would have NEVER allowed that.
Hell, they would have been upset by the concept of a "relief pitcher".
“Catchers were considered “sissies” if they wore gloves.”
I’m pretty sure catchers always wore a glove.
One could not catch even a 73mph curve without a glove.
Bump
At the time (1800s) catchers used both hands, and wore what looked like regular, everyday leather gloves.
and the rediculous call appeal thing
Back then, the catchers played the pitch on the bounce. Seriously. The ump stood behind the pitcher.
Baseball WAS perfect. Now the umpire throws out a player for arguing a call. Like we pay to watch them screw up calling balls and strikes. Technology can put hem out of work. The sooner the better.
Alex Cora hit the 18th pitch of his at-bat over the right-field wall for a home run a dozen or so years ago at Dodger Stadium. Still the best at-bat I’ve seen.
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