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Should there be a limit on pitchers?

Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:33 am
Posted by Spankum
The Sip
Member since Jan 2007
62123 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:33 am
One thing that slows the college baseball game down big-time is pitching changes. By the time there is a meeting on the mound and the subsequent changes it can take 10 minutes. With college baseball games approaching the 4 - hour mark, should there be a limit on the number of pitchers that can be used in a single game?
Posted by Bacon84
Texas
Member since Oct 2012
1943 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:36 am to
They won’t limit the number of pitchers used in a game.
They could set a limit such as, when you put a pitcher in, he must face 3 batters before being pulled.

I personally don’t think they should put any limits though.

Posted by Nutriaitch
Montegut
Member since Apr 2008
10905 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 11:57 am to
quote:

should there be a limit on the number of pitchers that can be used in a single game?


not the number of pitchers, no.
too many variables...injuries, pitch counts, etc.

maybe some variation of the MLB rule where a pitcher has to face a minimum of "X" amount of batters or something.

Posted by TBoy@LSU
Member since Sep 2012
6256 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:02 pm to
That will never happen.
Posted by Epaminondas
The Boot
Member since Jul 2020
5906 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:14 pm to
One thing that slows down the game is that almost every time somebody reaches base, he calls time to hand off his batting gloves and whatever extra protective equipment he wears (if any) and to sometimes get a base running oven mitt.

If you made it on base with all that stuff and without a special mitt while you were batting, you can go to the next bases while others are batting without a costume change.
Posted by ProjectP2294
West St. Louis County
Member since May 2007
77948 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:25 pm to
quote:

maybe some variation of the MLB rule where a pitcher has to face a minimum of "X" amount of batters or something.



I think the problem with that is that the MLB rule is set at 3, and there is always a desire to be a little more forgiving with those kinds of rules for college. But limiting it to 2 batters makes zero sense.

I could see it happening if the MLB rule was 4 and they wanted to make the college rule 3. But I don't think they're going to make the rule the same as the majors and only reducing it to 2 doesn't really do much.
Posted by Bedtiger
Thibodaux
Member since Dec 2018
788 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:37 pm to
I support the idea that pitcher should be required to face a minimum number of batters.
Posted by jasonbr1975
Lafayette, LA
Member since Sep 2024
1964 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:37 pm to
On a night when both teams use 10 pitchers combined, that's an extra 100 minutes (1.5 hrs). For comparison, the friday night SC game was about 2.5 hrs.
Posted by atltiger6487
Member since May 2011
20122 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:50 pm to
quote:

Should there be a limit on pitchers?
maybe not limit the number of pitchers, but definitely require that they face X number of batters.

Also, a pitching change should be lightning fast. No warmup pitches. It's their responsibility to warm up in the bullpen (maybe a slight exception for an injury).

Football and basketball don't allow substitutes to warm up on the field while the game is halted.

That would save many minutes per game and keep it moving. Baseball, by its nature, is very slow. They need to find ways to not slow it down further.
Posted by geauxtigers810
baton rouge
Member since Jun 2004
585 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:54 pm to
Pitching changes don’t take 10 minutes - where do yall come up with these things?
Posted by ChineseBandit58
Pearland, TX
Member since Aug 2005
49497 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:55 pm to
quote:

One thing that slows down the game is that almost every time somebody reaches base, he calls time to hand off his batting gloves and whatever extra protective equipment he wears (if any) and to sometimes get a

/\ THIS /\ pisses me off - especially the base running oven mitt.

it even looks like that damned glove increases the reach about at least 2 inches.

clown show
Posted by lsufball19
Franklin, TN
Member since Sep 2008
73252 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 12:55 pm to
quote:

On a night when both teams use 10 pitchers combined, that's an extra 100 minutes (1.5 hrs).

that's assuming all pitching changes occur mid-inning and not between innings. Relief pitchers get 150 seconds from the time the enter the field to be ready to pitch. You're doubling that time in this hypothetical
quote:

For comparison, the friday night SC game was about 2.5 hrs.

right, this is only an issue in midweek games where no one is throwing a starter 100 pitches nor should teams be forced overuse pitchers in those games just to avoid games taking longer. Last night's game had 15 different pitchers and the game lasted 3:36. That's not that long of a game considering



quote:


Time Limit (or Clock) Between Innings
• Between innings, 120 seconds (or 150 seconds for a relief pitcher) to be ready for first pitch.

• Prior to the end of the time limit between innings, the following should occur:
o Pitcher has possession of the ball on or near the mound.
o Catcher and batter are in the dirt circle around home plate.

• Starts when all defensive players have started to leave their positions after the last out has been made. • Stops when the umpire signals to start the time limit for the first pitch of the next halfinning.
• If no visible clock is being utilized, with 30 seconds left the base umpire keeping the timing device will visually cue the plate umpire by extending one hand/arm above his head. The plate umpire will announce “30 seconds” and summon the lead-off batter to the plate. At 15 seconds left, the base umpire will lower his arm to parallel with the ground and point at the plate umpire when the time limit expires.
• At the beginning of a game (first inning for each starting pitcher) or for any subsequent relief pitcher who enters the game, the pitcher is entitled to unlimited warm-up pitches within 150 seconds.
• If the catcher is the third out or on base when the third out is made, the offensive team should have someone ready to warm up the pitcher. If the game catcher is not out of the dugout with 30 seconds left in the time limit and another player is warming up the pitcher, hold the pitcher with one warmup left and wait for the game catcher arrive to throw down following the last warmup pitch.
• IIf the P/DH is the third out or on base when the third out is made to end the inning, allow the P/DH to get their glove before starting the 120-second or 150-second time limit.
• Enforce the rule and use common sense.

Note: The timer shall begin when a new pitcher who is entering the game, either at the start of an inning or as part of a mid-inning pitching change, crosses the warning track (or otherwise leaves the bullpen area if the bullpen is on the playing field). If the pitcher is checked for illegal substances on the way to the mound, the 150-second time limit begins immediately following this check, A pitcher warming-up in the bullpen must immediately leave the bullpen when signaled by the umpire. If the pitcher does not immediately leave the bullpen when signaled, the umpire shall signal for the timer to start.


LINK
This post was edited on 5/6/26 at 1:03 pm
Posted by Tarpon08
Cut Off, LA
Member since Dec 2014
8657 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 1:10 pm to
So fundamentally change the game of baseball?

For the record that is what you're suggesting.
Posted by Bacon84
Texas
Member since Oct 2012
1943 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 1:38 pm to
quote:

One thing that slows down the game is that almost every time somebody reaches base, he calls time to hand off his batting gloves and whatever extra protective equipment he wears (if any) and to sometimes get a base running oven mitt. If you made it on base with all that stuff and without a special mitt while you were batting, you can go to the next bases while others are batting without a costume change.


This is a bit excessive.

I don’t mind letting them shed the guards and whatnot. But there should be some “hurry up” to it.

They take 30seconds to dance and celebrate, then call time. Then take off their stuff, then WALK from second halfway to first… etc.
do all this with a sense of urgency
Posted by pgaddxn
between here and there
Member since Jul 2008
1357 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 2:11 pm to
The first inning last night seemed like we were gonna be at the box for a very long time.

I was happy as a pig in shite because of this.

I love baseball games I don’t care how long they are.
Posted by Lutcher Lad
South of the Mason-Dixon Line
Member since Sep 2009
7530 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 2:26 pm to
quote:

With college baseball games approaching the 4 - hour mark, should there be a limit on the number of pitchers that can be used in a single game?


Would you like it if the game would suddenly go off air at the 3 hour mark? How 'bout after 2 hours? But only at your home, on your tv? Let's not entertain silly limits on baseball.
Posted by KCSunshine
Lafayette LA
Member since Dec 2019
884 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 2:30 pm to
“This will never happen “
~10 run rule( yep I’m an old fart)
~Pitches are called by coach to earpiece catcher,pitcher,1B and SS use
~A green 1st base bag that only runner can use
~2 challenges to a disputed umpires call
~infield shift to one side of infield (hope they do away with like MLB)
~ABS
Posted by sportsfan
Member since Feb 2011
4299 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 2:34 pm to
quote:

They take 30seconds to dance and celebrate, then call time. Then take off their stuff, then WALK from second halfway to first… etc.
do all this with a sense of urgency


I'm asking because I honestly don't know the answer. After the completion of an AB, when does the next batter's pitch clock start? To me that could be an easy fix. Start the clock the second the ball is back in the pitcher's hand. If the runner isn't on the bag ready to play by a certain time (similar to the batter not being in the box), then charge a strike.
Posted by Tigergreg
Metairie
Member since Feb 2005
25921 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 3:28 pm to
quote:

With college baseball games approaching the 4 - hour mark


I'm pretty sure most games go less than 3 1/2 hours.
Posted by moneyg
Member since Jun 2006
62911 posts
Posted on 5/6/26 at 3:43 pm to
quote:

They won’t limit the number of pitchers used in a game.
They could set a limit such as, when you put a pitcher in, he must face 3 batters before being pulled.

I personally don’t think they should put any limits though.



If I was getting creative, I'd consider a pitching change being different than a mound visit. Coach just makes the change from the dugout. You visit the mound, you don't get to make a change.

But, honestly, I also don't think they should put any limits either.

I WOULD get rid of the offensive timeout though.
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