Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365

There are supposed to be several new initiatives this year aimed at cutting down the length of games and speed the pace. Wondering if anyone has noticed any difference in the games you have watched this year?

On related side note heard a trivia question on the radio.

What is the fewest number of pitches a pitcher can throw and finish with a 27 strikeout perfect game?

Valen wrote:There are supposed to be several new initiatives this year aimed at cutting down the length of games and speed the pace. Wondering if anyone has noticed any difference in the games you have watched this year?

On related side note heard a trivia question on the radio.

What is the fewest number of pitches a pitcher can throw and finish with a 27 strikeout perfect game?

I guess they are going for 79. He comes in with the first batter having 2 strikes already. But does he technically get credit for a perfect game or does the original starter also get credit? I think so, so it would be 81.

I have to agree with 79, as I understand the question phrased "as is."

A pitcher gets credit for a strikeout on any third strike. But there could be a semantics game going on here, also. A perfect game can still include a "combination of pitchers". So........

It's a 27 strikeout perfect game, but the implication is that the 27 strikeouts were the relief pitcher's, so again, "finish with a 27 strikeout perfect game" may be open to some interpretation. Who, exactly, are we talking about?

So I guess that means the possible answers are 1, 2, 79 or 81.

According to guy on radio it is 27. After the first pitch to each hitter if the batter steps out of the batters box for more than 15 seconds the umpire can call an additional strike for each 15 seconds that pass. So in theory each batter could strike out on just one actual pitch. Thus assuming no balls thrown 27 pitches.

I did notice in some of the spring training games I watched the action was starting almost immediately upon return from the commercial break. Break over and pitcher was getting the sign and throwing. Had to keep on my toes when I fast forwarded through the commercials to resume regular play upon end of last commercial.

As I understand they have a specified number of seconds to start play after the break and there is an actual clock that players can see for reference. Penalty to whichever side is not ready to start play.

That was a good one, a very good one! So I guess the intent of the question was to imply only one pitcher took the hill.

Valen wrote:I did notice in some of the spring training games I watched the action was starting almost immediately upon return from the commercial break. Break over and pitcher was getting the sign and throwing. Had to keep on my toes when I fast forwarded through the commercials to resume regular play upon end of last commercial.

As I understand they have a specified number of seconds to start play after the break and there is an actual clock that players can see for reference. Penalty to whichever side is not ready to start play.

It this a new rule? In that case it's not really trivia-it's a major development. So what is the speedup rule for the pitcher?

The rule referenced in the 27 pitch 27 strikeout technicality possibility is actually an existing rule that was not or at least was rarely enforced. Rule 6.02 says hitters must keep one foot in the batters box during an at bat. I have heard conflicting reports on whether the 15 second requirement to be ready to bat or pitch is now official or was only being tested in spring training.

The timers requiring play begin within 15 seconds of the end of commercial timeout between innings I believe has taken effect and is official.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/109822622/mlb-announces-new-pace-of-game-initiatives-changes-to-instant-replay

The rules for between inning breaks are interesting. Looks like they allow for about 2 one minute commercials and 15 seconds for whatever. The last 40 seconds will have check points to ensure play starts on time.

Time Remaining: Activity
40 Seconds: PA announces batter and begins to play walk-up music
30 Seconds: Pitcher throws final warm-up pitch
25 Seconds: Batter's walk-up music ends
20 Seconds-5 Seconds: Batter enters the batter's box
20 Seconds-0 Seconds: Pitcher begins motion to deliver pitch

More information is provided at this link.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/109799096/mlb-announces-pace-of-game-initiatives

Yahoo sports weighs in...
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mlb-s-new-pace-of-play-initiatives-170311480.html

USA Today gives it's take....
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/02/20/mlb-pace-of-play-initiatives/23733285/