Speed up the game?

July 12, 2007
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The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee reviewed its rules and decided to emphasize pace of play at its July 10-12 meeting. The committee's actions must be considered by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel before final implementation.



The committee's main point of emphasis – the pace of play – includes several rules and umpiring mechanics the group believes can be enforced more consistently. In particular, the batter's box rule (the batter must generally keep one foot in the box during an at-bat), handling of conferences (defensive and offensive) and speeding the time between inning and during pitching changes were areas the committee identified as areas in need of improvement.
"There are times where the game should be moved along more quickly," said Gary Vaught, head coach at the University of Indianapolis and chair of the committee. "We are asking umpires and coaches to do their part to keep our games moving. The better enforcement of several rules will assist in this effort."
The committee approved an additional point of emphasis regarding pitching. In the set position (Rule 9-1-b), there seems to be a relaxing of some requirements the pitcher must follow. In particular, the committee is concerned that pitchers are deceiving runners by holding the ball in the pitching hand in front of the body and not at the hip or behind the body, as noted in this rule.
"The committee is not looking for more balk calls with this emphasis," Vaught said. "The penalty is initially a warning. We hope this can be cleared up with coaches and umpires working in unison to correct this issue."
During its meeting, the committee reviewed its rules thoroughly and made several minor adjustments. The group reviewed last year's changes and noted the encouraging results particularly in the area of the force-play-slide rule. In general, the rules of the game are meeting the needs of the baseball community adequately. "The adjustments made in recent years have had a positive effect on the game," Vaught said. "The slide rule change kept the safety of the players at its core but made it easier for umpires to call and for coaches to teach. The game is in great shape."

 

i storngly disagree with the one foot in the box idea. as well as time in between innings (mainly because infielders and outfielders do need a few throws to keep warm)

 

Hogwash!!! Leave the game alone

 

I agree.

 

What are they going to do, call the batter out if he takes both feet out of the box?

This is ridiculous.

 

If they make this change how do they stop the quick-pitch since the batter doesn't leave the box? Crazy!

 

Most of these people making these recomendations and decisions where the captains of the chess team in high school. That was their only sport

 

I think the NCAA committee members need to get a real life.

I think that would help us all. LOL