MLB owners yesterday adopted six measures to try and speed
up games, according to Claire Smith of the N.Y. TIMES. The
measures were adopted from former AL Umpire Steve Palermo's
recommendations on how to shorten games (N.Y. TIMES, 6/9). In
Washington, Johnny Ludden writes that the owners hope to cut the
average game time by 30 minutes. Recommendations to go into
effect after the All-Star Game include cutting time between
innings from 2 min 25 sec to 1 min 45 sec, introducing the first
batter of each half-inning 1 min 15 sec after the previous out.
In addition, umpires can now prevent hitters from repeatedly
leaving the batter's box. Other recommendations that could go
into effect next year include umpires calling "high strikes,"
raising the pitcher's mound, and pitchers will be allowed to go
to their mouths while on the mound. The owners did not approve
the recommendation to eliminate the DH (WASHINGTON POST, 6/9).
REACTION: Hal Bodley writes that calling the high strike is
the only rule owners need to adopt to move the game along (USA
TODAY, 6/9). A USA TODAY survey of baseball fans found that 62%
say the time between innings was the reason games are too long
(Mike Dodd, USA TODAY, 6/9)
