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Online now: 4 members: Dj Thaniel, Rjoe, TABLE SETTER 11, dalberghetti; 96 anonymousDiscussion: How to Play More Innings
| Posted | Discussion |
| Oct. 8, 2014 Allan55 102 posts | How to Play More Innings I feel the 1-1 count would speed up the game. However, with the majority of the players opposed, I feel limiting the number of runs in an inning from 7 to 5 (major plus) would be a start. The teams would reach the limit of runs more often and play more innings. I also would allow only one pinch runner per inning. Most teams take too much time deciding who will run. Remember...it only takes 30 seconds twice an inning to burn 10 minutes in a game. I would say the average number of pinch runners for each team in an inning is two. That means there are four every inning. That can be limited. Yet another way of speeding things up is to have a batter ready to hit two minutes after the third out of an inning. If a pitcher wants to pitch between innings, then he should hustle out and do it. If the pitcher is not ready to pitch, then a ball is called. This would hurry things along. Too much time is wasted between innings. A teammate of mine also mentioned all the time that is wasted as balls are thrown in after home runs. We played innings where there were three separate times balls were thrown in (not uncommon), which resulted in nearly three minutes of lost playing time. I know I am scrutinizing, but all of this time adds up and shortens our playing time. I welcome other opinions. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | Why would you like to shorten the games?? I would propose to make each game 90 minutes, finish that inning and play the open inning. Also, make it 3 strikes and 4 balls. Imo the only ones that would like a shorter game would be the tournament director and umpires. If you like shorter games play one pitch! |
| Oct. 9, 2014 Jawood Men's 50 943 posts | The comment on shortening games always comes up when there is a discussion about how to speed up the game. I don't think anyone wants to get the game over any quicker, we want more GAME ACTION in the time we are allotted, there's a difference. The 1 and 1 count would do this along with most of the other suggestions made. I don't think 90 minute games will happen anytime soon. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I don't believe it will happen either. It would mean paying umpires more. My point is that as a player that loves the game why would I want to speed up the game. Btw, I love one pitch games! But, there is a time of one pitch and a time for 90 minute games. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 Sparky.1 Men's 75 284 posts | Right up front BruceinGa, Umpires do not get paid on an hourly-wage, they are paid a per-game fee! |
| Oct. 9, 2014 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I know that Sparky.1. I would think they would want to negotiate their per game fee if they knew games would be a minimum of 90 minutes. I wouldn't expect them to work a 90 minute game at the 60 minute fee. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 local 169 posts | We had to tell the umpires on more than one occasion that we were ready to play. A few spent way too much time between innings talking B.S with who ever was behind the backstop. Most umpires were great as usual. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 JohnBob Men's 65 256 posts | I have said this on here before--I feel the easy way to speed up the game is to stop letting Ump's take 10 or 15 minutes or more in between games. Over and over you have 2 teams ready to play but no Ump's. This adds up over a whole day. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 crusher Men's 75 524 posts | Bruce, I like your 90 min per game. That would be great. Yes we will not get that as stated above. How about 70 min? We may get more completed games. I believe this could work. With Last Inning called all games could be on 1.5 hour schedule and be on time (I Believe). Thanks for your comments Bruce. C |
| Oct. 9, 2014 Tim Millette 615 posts | Forget just doing it for more innings. HOW ABOUT DOING IT TO GIVE PITCHERS A BETTER CHANCE TO NOT HAVE A BALL DRILLED UP THE MIDDLE. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 crusher Men's 75 524 posts | Do not pitch and U do not have to concern yourself. If you pitch have good reactions or do not pitch. Pitchers that throw a ball belt high on outside of plate best start backing up as that ball has a 50% chance of coming back middle, I know as I pitched for 20 years. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 JD32 9 posts | Our senior club plays 2 innings at a time. 3 outs, clear the bags, 3 more outs and change sides. A lot lot less time to and from the dugout. It regularly results in more innings played under a time constraint. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 Mario Men's 50 451 posts | I agree with Bruce, go to 90 minutes then the open inning. We are paying enough money that we whould get to play full games. As Stick said earlier, USSSA thought that 1-1 count would speed up games and it did not. |
| Oct. 9, 2014 Tim Millette 615 posts | Crusher...aren't you the same guy that said no to the 1-1 because you might hit a pitcher like you do a lot in your 1-1 senior league) |
| Aug. 5, 2015 Linknblue Men's 65 5 posts | Starting with a 1 and 1 count doesn't NOT speed up the game. Most tournament players are swinging within the first 2 to 4 swings anyway. With the extra "foul" ball you are really adding back the strike into the count so you've really only eliminated a ball from the count. You want to speed up the game. Stop with all the discussions on anything remotely being a judgement call by the umpire. Every one doesn't get to voice their oplinion and as "mature" players we all do that. Only allow the manager to talk to the umpire and no one else. In between innings, at the very least, JOG back onto the field. If yyou team takes 1 1/2 to 2 extra minutes to get to their positions after the last out that's 10 minutes right there. In between the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 5th innings and somethings between the 6th and 7th inning. Sometimes we take longer with the really senior players. Be ready when it's your turn to bat. Speed up the courtesy runners process. You want a courtest runner, have them ready "immediately". If you're not ready, you'll have to wait til you are. You know who needs runners and who doesn't. Have the home team be the "official" scorekeeper. Umpires don't need to keep score and sometimes that slows down the process. I've done softball for 40 plus years and senior softball is the only group that I've seen tasking the umpires with keeping score and tracking HR's. But of course that's me here on the West Coast. |
| Aug. 5, 2015 PJ3P Men's 50 94 posts | 1 and 1 count with no extra speeds up the game a lot. Umpires that have no clue where 12' or 15' is along with the 1 and 1 count and people are hacking at the first pitch they can reach. Welcome to the Florida Half Century where with no run or home run limits games finish 7 innings most of the time for most teams. You just cannot be as picky about what you swing at with the 1 and 1 count and it lowers the amount of offense. |
| Aug. 5, 2015 hemi racer Men's 65 237 posts | JD32, we also do two innings at a time. Works great for us. |
