MLB Pace of Play Rule

[Patch]

Apparently MLB is enforcing their pace of play rule. An out fielder took 3 seconds (?) too long to step into the batters' box,  and was fined. $3500 is his total so far. Another player in the article say he has been fined $50,000 for the rule violation. 

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23997090/new-york-yankees-outfielder-brett-gardner-not-happy-fines-violating-pace-play-rules

Hope the link works. 

I like baseball, and never really took interest in how long a game took. It was a drink for 3 innings, eat for 3 innings, and watch last 3 innings affair for me. Hopefully get a ball hit my way. Give an umpire a bad time, or better yet, a manager going full tilt boogy on the Blue. 

Pace of play rule in MLB?  I just know about that. 

[dennyjones]

I didn't realize they had that rule but I like it.   I quit watching baseball for that exact reason.     

[Piz]

This may be something of a seventh inning stretch but here goes.  A pitcher, like Greg Maddux, could pitch a complete game in 2 hours, 10 minutes, or so.  Like an efficient golfer; he knew what he was going to do long before he reached the field of play.  Once there...he simply went about his business.  In other words: he behaved as if he had been there before...which, of course, he had.  Slow play...be it baseball or golf...is the direct result of pointless deliberation.  

[krupa]

They definitely need a pace-of-play rule in baseball.  A few years back there is/was a pitcher for (I think) the Cubs who was taking almost a minute per pitch.  Granted, it was during the playoffs but he'd take forever even when the bases were empty. I love baseball and one of the reasons is that there isn't a clock.  And while I am one of the most patient people you will ever, that game was completely unwatchable.

[Casualgolfer]

I played D1 baseball and follow the MLB very closely. The main problem is the use of the bull pen. They are enforcing the mound visit rules this year but it hasn't sped anything up really. Everything now is all about match ups and analytics. When you bring 2-3 relievers in the same inning it kills the speed of the game and makes it not fun to watch.