<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>NEW YORK (AP) -- <span style="color:#556B2F">A major league position player who scuffs or defaces a baseball would be ejected and receive an automatic 10-game suspension under changes approved Friday by the sport's playing rules committee.Previously, the penalty was to call the pitch a ball and warn the player. For pitchers, umpires have the discretion to issue only a warning if they determine the pitcher's actions weren't intended to alter the characteristics of a pitch.</span><span style="color:#483D8B">As part of the first changes to baseball rules since 1996, the committee approved a recommendation from general managers to largely eliminate tie games.Before this year, when an official game was called due to weather and the score was tied, the statistics counted and a new game was replayed from the start. Under the change, when a game is tied in the bottom of the fifth inning or later and is called because of weather, it will be suspended and resumed before the next scheduled game between the teams at the same ballpark.If no more games remain between the teams at the same ballpark, it will be resumed when the teams meet at the visitor's ballpark. If it is the final scheduled meeting between the teams, it will be replayed from the start if it is needed to determine a postseason berth.</span><span style="color:#FF8C00">Under another change, a player may no longer step into a dugout to catch a foul ball. He still will be allowed to reach into a dugout.</span><span style="color:#008080">A batter running to first base also will be allowed to exit the 3-foot lane in foul territory "for the sole purpose of touching first base," and a batter will lose the ability to run to first on a dropped third strike if he leaves the dirt circle around home plate unless he does so while trying to reach first base.Previously, a player could run to first until he reached the dugout or his defensive position.</span><span style="color:#708090">Another change is, a batter who hits an apparent game-ending home run with less than two outs would be allowed to circle the bases if a runner ahead of him doesn't continue to home plate, thinking the game is over. If there are two outs when the play begins, however, the runner who abandons trying for home plate would be the third out and the home run would not count.</span><span style="color:#FF00FF">Another change allows pitchers to wear a multicolored glove if the umpire determines it isn't distracting. And a pitcher in the stretch position instead of a windup with no runners on base no longer will have to come to a complete stop.With no runners on, a pitcher will be required to pitch within 12 seconds, the timing starting when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the batter's box, alert to the pitcher.</span>In addition, several changes were made to the scoring rules.</div>
I think that 12-second rule might cause some trouble for overweight pitchers who like to take their time.What are those changes to the scoring rules? Did it say?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Feb 18 2007, 07:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think that 12-second rule might cause some trouble for overweight pitchers who like to take their time.What are those changes to the scoring rules? Did it say?</div>It didn't unfortunately.
[quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='85091' date='Feb 17 2007, 09:32 PM'] AKA The Kenny Rogers rule. This is a good rule, I always hated Official Games then getting rained out. It's not an 'Official Game' unless it's 9 innings. I guess that's good for the safety of the player. Okay.... I don't think I've ever seen that happen, but it makes sense. The first one makes sense. A whole bunch of Mets used to use Orange Gloves a few years back which I guess is what started that rule, the other one is definitely AKA the Steve Trachsel rule to try and speed up the game.
definitely the steve TRachsel rule....he takes literally like 25 seconds between him getting the ball from the catcher, and coming set
I like the tie game rule thing. I think any game that is rained out should be suspended if they can get some of it in
