Leave it to the Yankees to...

[Skipaway]

I don't think the Yankees actually suddenly need all this communication. It's probably just the extended version of the rhythm game you see hitters and pitchers play.

[Goody]

I think its just to make sure Johnny Damon knows how many outs there are.

NEW YORK -- Yankees left fielder Johnny Damon felt relieved about fighting off the harsh sun on Sunday afternoon to catch Jeff Fiorentino's fly out to left, for the third out of the fourth inning. But as he was about to turn around to oblige fans that wanted him to toss them the ball, Damon made out Derek Jeter's voice carrying all the way in from shortstop.

"Throw the ball in," Jeter yelled.

That's when Damon realized that he hadn't caught the third out of the inning. It was only the second. By the time Damon's blunder registered in his mind, it was much too late to keep Justin Turner from scoring all the way from second base.

Ultimately, the goof didn't factor into the equation as the Yankees pulled away from the Orioles for a 13-3 victory. Nevertheless, Damon said after the game that he was "unthrilled" about the incident.

"It's one of those embarrassing things you hope never happens again," Damon said. "It's happened a few too many times to me."

[MrLegend85]

Seriously?? I would love for someone to tell me how much time all those visits to the mound by Posada added to the whole game. Maybe 4-6 minutes maximum? Just more Yankee Haters whining about stuff is what it sounds like to me. Every team is allowed to do this, so don't single out one team just because they ARE doing this. That kind of stuff gets old. If MLB changes the rules next year fine, right now it is well within the rules and to say it adds a massive amount of time to the game is just ridiculous. I don't see how it would be beneficial for the game as a whole if suddenly it was ruled that this was illegal and if there's confusion you just throw the pitch and hope for the best. That would be very lame. Now as far as the Yankees being more cohesive with the game plan, that is definitely a fair argument, but with the constant allegations against the Phillies for stealing signs, that would definitely explain that. Seriously people, its been a great series and sometimes it seems like people just look for things to complain about, or maybe its just the idiot sports writers that try to stir the pot.... my 2 cents on the subject anyways....

[Skipaway]

Oh surely they won't even change the rules for next year.

When they introduced the batter's box rule, which bans the batter from leaving the batter's box, they tried it in the fall league first, and then the minor leagues. And then they put the rule in MLB without enforcing it, and they discuss when to start enforcing them.

[mlyons]

The Yankees have been making lots and lots of mound visits all season. I guess all those nationally televised games still weren't enough for people to figure that out.

[endgame]

Originally Posted by Skipaway

I don't think the Yankees actually suddenly need all this communication. It's probably just the extended version of the rhythm game you see hitters and pitchers play.

Exactly. It's an extended version of the time-out called by the opposing team during a field goal attempt. Disrupt the rhythm, psyche out the hitter, ideally. In principle, I agree that the rules should not be changed, but even in the example I cited, you can't call two in a row.

I wouldn't want a limit imposed, but just like the strike zone, there needs to be a 'tolerance' zone that is impacted by the umpire and after the third or fouth visit in an inning, I'd expect to see the umpire follow the catcher out to the mound to make sure it was as brief as possible. Enforcement of behavior is learned, not legislated.

[BaseballMan]

I dont think the Yankees were doing anything different than what other teams do. The Phillies could have done the same thing. But i do wish Baseball would limit the timeouts. Isnt it up to the umpire to decide if the timeout should be allowed?

[Skipaway]

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

I dont think the Yankees were doing anything different than what other teams do. The Phillies could have done the same thing. But i do wish Baseball would limit the timeouts. Isnt it up to the umpire to decide if the timeout should be allowed?

Umpires can, but they surely don't want to suddenly change their approaches to granting these timeouts. Teams are used to have them, and if a umpire suddenly to clamp down on timeouts in a game, the teams involved would protest. It'd become an issue of "why here", "why now", and "why us".


That's why it requires the VP of umpiring to initiate a discussion. After that, they'll give out new guidelines to all the umpires and teams to know about it, and then try them out in minor leagues first.

[jbergey22]

Since baseball isnt using a clock there are a few things that could be exploited. I always wondering what would happen if a losing team felt the ump was screwing them and just decided to throw to first base to try and pick off the runner for the next 2 hours.

In football I always wondering what happens if a team gets ahead and keeps talking delay of game penalties until the clock runs down to 0 as it seems the clock starts running again after the penalty on occasions(especially in the college game). Once they get to their own 1 yardline the penalty isnt really important anymore as its at most a half yard penalty.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Since baseball isnt using a clock there are a few things that could be exploited. I always wondering what would happen if a losing team felt the ump was screwing them and just decided to throw to first base to try and pick off the runner for the next 2 hours.

In football I always wondering what happens if a team gets ahead and keeps talking delay of game penalties until the clock runs down to 0 as it seems the clock starts running again after the penalty on occasions(especially in the college game). Once they get to their own 1 yardline the penalty isnt really important anymore as its at most a half yard penalty.

The game clock stops after the 1st DoG and doesnt start again until the ball is snapped IIRC.

[Sdpm100]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Since baseball isnt using a clock there are a few things that could be exploited. I always wondering what would happen if a losing team felt the ump was screwing them and just decided to throw to first base to try and pick off the runner for the next 2 hours.

In football I always wondering what happens if a team gets ahead and keeps talking delay of game penalties until the clock runs down to 0 as it seems the clock starts running again after the penalty on occasions(especially in the college game). Once they get to their own 1 yardline the penalty isnt really important anymore as its at most a half yard penalty.

There are a few examples at Retrosheet of that and the umpire(s) awarding the game to the other team. Usually because of ensuing darkness.

Forfeits

07/18/1954 - Philadelphia at St. Louis - NL - Because of the delaying tactics of the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning, umpire Babe Pinelli forfeited the second game of the doubleheader to the Philadelphia Phillies. At the time the Phillies were leading 8-1 with one man on base and two outs. A few minutes earlier players from both teams had swarmed onto the field where several punches and wrestling matches broke out. Redbirds catcher Sal Yvars and Philles batter Earl Torgeson started the brawl and were both ejected. Managers Terry Moore and Eddie Stanky also tangled. Moore had previously been fired as a Cardinal coach by Stanky. Moore came out of his dugout after Yvars but Stanky tackled Moore. With darkness approaching and the game not yet official, Eddie Stanky brought in three new pitchers in the inning. As the game was not official, no statistics counted for the players, and the Cards Joe Frazier had a lost home run. The first game had been delayed 78 minutes by rain. - New York Times; 07/19/1954, p 22 (Phillies)

Of course in either situation, and in today's media and fan world, the coach would be fired the next day if he tried them.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by bababui

The game clock stops after the 1st DoG and doesnt start again until the ball is snapped IIRC.

I was watching Louisiana Tech play someone earlier this year and in the 4th quarter the clock was not stopping on delay of game penaltys. It was on ESPN and the game was more than likely fixed it seemed.

[Left-handed Badger]

On another note I really hate "Fly Like AN Eagle" time doesnt slip into the future damn it. It slips into the past. Doesnt anybody know the concept of time?