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Extra Innings All Screwed Up at Olympics

Valadius Jul 26 2008 04:16 PM

]IBAF changes rules for extra innings By JOEDY McCREARY, AP Sports Writer Jul 25, 4:29 pm EDT DURHAM, N.C. (AP)—Extra innings will have a new look in what could be baseball’s last Olympic appearance. Each team’s at-bat in the 11th inning and beyond will begin with runners on first and second bases. Teams may start the 11th at any point in their batting order under format changes announced Friday by the International Baseball Federation and adopted in time for next month’s Beijing Games. Baseball and softball are making their last appearance for a while, after the International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate the sports from the 2012 London Games. Both sports are working to be reinstated for the 2016 Olympics. Federation president Harvey Schiller said the extra-innings change was adopted to save time. “Extra-inning contests can bring about the most exciting results for players and fans, but such circumstances also make it difficult in the context of the Olympic program,” Schiller said. “We must demonstrate to the International Olympic Committee (that) not only does our game belong alongside the other great sports of the world, but our sport is manageable from a television and operational standpoint.” Under the new format, the 10th inning will be played normally. At the start of the 11th, teams will have the option of beginning at any point in the existing batting order and placing the previous two batters on base. For example, a team that opts to lead off with its No. 3 hitter would begin with its No. 1 batter on second base and its No. 2 hitter on first with no outs. “It’s kind of the same thing (as the traditional extra-inning format),” said U.S. pitcher Jeremy Cummings of Triple-A Durham. “You just get two guys on, so more than likely, guys in the Far East will probably bunt them over. So you’ve got one out with guys on second and third, so that might make the bunt defense come into play a little bit more.” The 12th inning and beyond would begin where the previous lineup left off, with the two hitters ahead of the batter scheduled to lead off that inning being placed on first and second bases. Initially, USA Baseball executive director Paul Seiler was opposed to the format change, but he warmed to the idea after discussing it with general manager Bob Watson, field manager Davey Johnson and the rest of Team USA’s on-field personnel. “The traditionalist in me says, ‘No way.”’ Seiler said. “The IOC is really managing-slash-massaging sports within the Games. We’re one of those few sports that baseball people or traditionalists would say, ‘We do have a tiebreaker—we keep playing until the game’s over.’ “But you know, in the Olympics, where you have (a) finite amount of time to get your program finished (and) the early game goes 15, 16, 17 innings, then what does that do? Television is affected, transportation is affected—a lot of logistical things that we don’t have to worry about on a Friday night in Durham. It’s a domino (effect).” The new rules are being tested at a youth tournament this week in Canada and will take effect for all tournaments under the federation’s umbrella.

Frayed Knot Jul 26 2008 04:22 PM

That's what happens when you have; a) a finite amount of time scheduled and b) people making decisions about baseball who don't know and/or give a shit about baseball

AG/DC Jul 26 2008 04:32 PM

That's spectacularly sucky. Call it a tie.

Rockin' Doc Jul 26 2008 04:35 PM

Baseball is better off not being an Olympic sport if the IOC is going to start making up arbitrary and stupid rules.

Benjamin Grimm Jul 26 2008 05:20 PM

I hope I don't live long enough to see that rule trickle up to the major leagues.

Nymr83 Jul 26 2008 05:29 PM

thats really a load of bullshit, how about extra time in soccer gets played without a goalie, first goal wins?

OlerudOwned Jul 26 2008 06:16 PM

Nymr83 wrote: thats really a load of bullshit, how about extra time in soccer gets played without a goalie, first goal wins? Or having hockey overtimes played 4-on-4 with ties being broken by a skills competition. Wait what? Sigh.

attgig Jul 28 2008 06:21 AM Olympic baseball rule changes.... geez...

[url]http://www.pr-inside.com/ibaf-changes-rules-for-beijing-teams-r723399.htm[/url] this looks like it'll be a bigger joke than the ASG. ]The Olympic baseball tournament will institute a new tie-breaking procedure in Beijing, beginning each inning starting with the 11th with runners on first and second bases. Teams also may start the 11th at any point in their batting order under format changes announced Friday by the International Baseball Federation and adopted in time for next month's Beijing Games. For example, a team that opts to lead off with its No. 3 hitter would begin with its No. 1 batter on second base and its No. 2 hitter on first with no outs. (Merged from Olympic baseball rule changes.... geez..., 7/28/2008)

Vince Coleman Firecracker Jul 28 2008 06:34 AM

Next up: Centerfield lane violations (illegal defense, 1 base awarded) No defensive shifts or base running leads (Illegal man in motion, 1 base awarded or 1 out penalized) Umpire throws a tip-off ball to a lefty and righty batter to start each inning, whichever team hits it gets to hit that inning Yellow cards issued for pitches inside Fielders cannot use hands to throw ball, it must be headed or kicked [url=http://www.maniacworld.com/poor-acting-on-soccer-flop.html]Flopping[/url]! (to gain international interest) (Merged from Olympic baseball rule changes.... geez..., 7/28/2008)

metirish Jul 28 2008 06:38 AM

] this looks like it'll be a bigger joke than the ASG. Looks like a bigger joke than the Olympic Games. (Merged from Olympic baseball rule changes.... geez..., 7/28/2008)

Frayed Knot Aug 15 2008 11:40 AM

[url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/international-affairs/olympics/2008/266699.html]U.S. loses to Cuba[/url] in extras via these new speed-up rules. Drops their record to 1-2

Nymr83 Aug 15 2008 12:05 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: [url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/international-affairs/olympics/2008/266699.html]U.S. loses to Cuba[/url] in extras via these new speed-up rules. Drops their record to 1-2 ]Because of the need to carry 12 pitchers on the 23-man roster, thanks to team's mandated pitch counts to satisfy major league organizations, the U.S. entered the tournament with only three backup position players. so not only are the rules stupid but team USA is shooting itself in the foot with its roster decisions.

AG/DC Aug 15 2008 12:12 PM

Well the word "mandated" is in there.

Nymr83 Aug 15 2008 12:26 PM

well its not "mandated" that players who the mlb clubs have control over make the team with those limitations. the recently-retired, independent league guys, and college players would suffice.

AG/DC Aug 15 2008 12:29 PM

Well, they're eligible. I guess it's debatable whether they would suffice.