correct. batter has to be in and alert to the pitcher by some time (8 seconds?). after that, the pitcher has to deliver (or step off) by 00. pitcher can’t deliver until the batter is in and alert to the pitcher.
there were pitchers who figured out how to work the other end and they ironed out some of those shenanigans (there is something called the Scherzer Rule bc he had a trick he’d use).
overall the pitch clock is working very well. games move faster all by ironing out the endless and useless white space of lost time. and there are VERY few infractions called. (see here: Pitch Timer Infractions Leaderboard | baseballsavant.com) but there’s always a jerk somewhere…
Jomboy did a video on it. He holds his bat towards the pitcher and looks down at the plate until exactly 8 seconds. When he looks up, he hasn’t pulled his bat back yet, so it appears he isn’t actually set until 6 seconds.
In more if-the-season-ended-today news, the White Sox get a bye in the post season. They’re starting to make me nervous, which hasn’t been a thing for several years.
Here is an article dated 5/25. Oh, woe are the Sox!
Now they are in playoff position, tied for first in the Central – if they were in the Central – and ahead in the West – if they were in the West.
What changed?
New Manager. What caused the players to be suddenly better under new manager versus old?
Googly A.I.'s:
Offensive Rebound
Contact and Patience: The offense went from below-average to grinding out longer at-bats, taking more walks, and striking out less.
Power Upgrades: Hitters like Wilyer Abreu (improved launch angle) and offseason addition Caleb Durbin unlocked more extra-base production and run-scoring. [1, 2]
So, why weren’t they grinding out plate appearances (not “at bats,” nerdally) before? Had they temporarily forgot how to play? Did Alex Cora not emphasize thee simple fundamentals?
Did someone fix Abreu’s launch angle?
Pitching and Defense Foundation
Filling the Strike Zone: Pitching coach Andrew Bailey heavily emphasized throwing strikes and avoiding unnecessary walks.
Elite Glove Work: Pitchers leaned heavily on an elite defensive unit featuring center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, which cut down on opponent runs. [1, 2]
Again, did Alex Cora forget how to manage? Did he tell his pitching coach not to do these things?
Ceddanne has been good at CF all season, I think. Caught a ball with a 5% probability (assuming an average CF, I guess) in Game 2.
Perhaps they got lucky playing against teams on their downslides?
The Scoreboard is not the official record of the game.
Guccione later told a pool reporter that the scoreboard error didn’t affect what unfolded.
“That’s just kind of a courtesy for the fans and for everybody,” he said. “It’s our responsibility, as umpires, to understand how many outs there are.”
I still think the whole appeal on tag up process is idiotic. My thinking is that if he left early, he never actually scored. He can’t have scored until he first tags up. Then this situation would never have occurred.
Leaving early or missing a base is an appeal play. It’s on the umpire to see it but you don’t call it unless it is appealed.
The error here was on the umpire waiving off the run and thus robbing the robbing the Jays ability for a 4th out appeal at 3B.
I don’t really expect most casual fans to understand the rule, but I do expect big league players, managers, coaches and especially umpires to understand the rule.
Fortunately this crazy play did not affect the outcome of the game as Jays won 2-1. However I still can’t get past the run being counted when the guy on third didn’t tag up and the runner on first was doubled up. Why should it matter which runner is doubled up if neither tagged?
I have no sympathy for getting the number of outs wrong. When you are paid millions of dollars per year you should be expected to know the number of outs regardless of what the scoreboard says. Faites attention, as my French teacher use to say.
Let’s say the runner at 3rd tagged up and scored, and the double play at first base occurred after he crossed the plate. I assume the run does not count since an “appeal” is not required?
