Gene wants a 20 second pitch clock

[CharlieHog]

Coaching Summit Deemed A Success

And perhaps the most interesting development of the summit was the support for Wichita State coach Gene Stephenson’s proposal to implement a 20-second pitch clock. Coaches and NCAA officials are very concerned about picking up the sport’s pace of play and shortening the length of games, and a straw vote for Stephenson’s proposal revealed a strong majority would support the measure (despite Texas coach Augie Garrido’s joke that Stephenson owns a clock factory). There is precedent for this idea: The Missouri Valley Conference used pitch clocks for two years, and the National Baseball Congress World Series still uses a 20-second clock between pitches. A failure to deliver a pitch in time results in an automatic ball. Expect the rules committee to address that proposal when it meets next summer.

[pogo]

I remember when the Valley tried it out and it was great! Games were shorter and really seemed to compress the action. Okie state will NEVER support a proposal like this, they like to fiddle fart around on the mound too much.

[CharlieHog]

I go to a lot of baseball games and rarely find them too long.

[im4wsu]

I go to a lot of baseball games and rarely find them too long.

So many collegiate games are played in weather that is far too cold and miserable, it is sufferable to watch warm-weather west coast pitchers take 60-90 seconds between pitches and games that last 3.5-4.5 hours.

As a baseball enthusiast, I like to have longer games if they are competitive and move along because I feel I get more for my entertainment dollar. OTOH, I also recognize that college baseball will never be a mainstain on television because, in part, the game-length is so variable and unpredictable that scheduling becomes impossible as does keeping sponsors happy.

All things considered, I like the National Baseball Congress use of the closk. Games are ripped off in two hour intervals, the players are still showing signs of life and breath at the end of the game and the performance seems to be generally better. I know as a fan I leave happier.

Having said all that, my suspicion is that in the 65 games played in the NBC, there are probably less than a half dozen clock dictated penalties. It is just not a problem to comply with.

[shock10]

shock10 wants a 20 second pitch clock.

[Ed Harley]

Games are much more fun to watch and play (once you get used to it) with the clock.

[CharlieHog]

OTOH, I also recognize that college baseball will never be a mainstain on television because, in part, the game-length is so variable and unpredictable that scheduling becomes impossible as does keeping sponsors happy.

IMO, college baseball has more standing in the way of mainstream tv coverage than long games. The most important is that when college baseball gets started, college basketball going strong. When college baseball ends, MLB is getting going.

Honestly I don't think a pitch clock would be that big of a deal in practice. I guess it's just the principal of the matter. Baseball should not have a clock. It isn't a timed sport.

[SubGod22]

It's not a timed sport but four hour games are going to keep people away. Especially when half of that time is because the pitcher is walking around behind the mound doing God knows what.

[WuDrWu]

While I respect Charlie's opinion above almost all others, the game is simply better with the pitch clock.

It's only when there is no runner on base, and it eliminates the nonsense that has become commonplace and serves absolutely no purpose.

[im4wsu]

It isn't a timed sport.

Not timed as to length, but there have been many instances of games being called because of curfew...maybe those would have reached a conclusion if played under pitch clock management.

A crufew is not technically timing of a baseball game, it is moreso than a pitching clock which has no effect on the end of the contest.

[CharlieHog]

It isn't a timed sport.

Not timed as to length, but there have been many instances of games being called because of curfew...maybe those would have reached a conclusion if played under pitch clock management.

A crufew is not technically timing of a baseball game, it is moreso than a pitching clock which has no effect on the end of the contest.

I don't think a pitch clock would help in the SEC on Sundays. If there is a curfew on the game it usually gives the teams 3 hours to play. And the games take longer on Sunday because the pitching is depleted and the offense gets rocking.

I do think it's an abomination to have a game end before at least 9 innings and we should try to get rid of the curfew.

[CharlieHog]

It's not a timed sport but four hour games are going to keep people away. Especially when half of that time is because the pitcher is walking around behind the mound doing God knows what.

If people don't come to games it's because they just aren't interested. Making the games half and hour shorter isn't going to make baseball more popular.

[shocker22]

I like the pitch clock idea...but sometimes a 20 second clock can be a little quick...I would like to see a 25 second clock.

[Shocker85]

I consider myself a "baseball purist" and am adamantly opposed to a pitch clock.

One of the beautiful things about baseball that sets is apart from every other sport is that there are no clocks that limit or dictate play. The game is, and should continue to be, allowed to proceed at its own pace dictated by conditions, circumstances and situations of the game itself.

While I agree that there are pitchers who tend to take too long to deliver pitches and hitters who insist upon adjusting their batting gloves, sleeves, and/or protective cups after every pitch, it is within the existing rules for the umpires to insist on improving the pace of play.

Please, don't mess with baseball and introduce a clock.

--'85.

[McShocker]

I consider myself a "baseball purist" and am adamantly opposed to a pitch clock.

One of the beautiful things about baseball that sets is apart from every other sport is that there are no clocks that limit or dictate play. The game is, and should continue to be, allowed to proceed at its own pace dictated by conditions, circumstances and situations of the game itself.

While I agree that there are pitchers who tend to take too long to deliver pitches and hitters who insist upon adjusting their batting gloves, sleeves, and/or protective cups after every pitch, it is within the existing rules for the umpires to insist on improving the pace of play.

Please, don't mess with baseball and introduce a clock.

--'85.

Perhaps the NCAA should make pace of play a "point of emphasis" for the umpiring crews for a year and see if it has an impact. I would think it would be better for everybody if the pitchers would speed up without a clock.