Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-30
THE BASEBALL
BEAT
Chin Music on Beat the Clock
BY BURTON HAWKINS

CATCHERs AND UNPIREs will be chatter but definitely
not chummer this season. Conversational flow will spurred
by the new rule which dictates that pitcher deliver
the ball to the batter within 20 seconds after receiving
It's Beat the Clock minus music and prizes and bubbng
master OF ceremonies, and it isn't going to work.
The rule applies only when the bases unoccupied
which automatically reduces its importance to Washington
pitchers They rarely experience carefee moments And
to prevent catchers from getting about nteprea
tons OF the rule it's specified 1.-THE umpire shall insist that
the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher that
the pitcher takes his position the rubber promptly"
The purpose to speed the game The penalty will consist
OF the umpire calling BALI for each violation 1t up
another avenue to arguments without accomplishing any
thing, because it's too easy to locate oopholes.
Yogi Berra and Jim Hogan have been quick point
that there's nothing to prevent them from walking
handing the ball to the pitcher they feel pitcher in
need of "breather." The pitcher call time" The
catcher call time The baseman trotting in for
word with the pitcher, call "me" The first basenan
detecting shoelace which require square knot instead
OF that questionable granny he's wearing call "tme
TWENTY SECONDS ARE insignificant in a lifetime
unless chopped into the bits when you Sad do or plunged
embanknent lost the money final fur
long. But 20 seconds on the mound is long time
There is no need for haste when pitcher gets the ball
back from the catcher The pitcher turn esure stroll
back step or two pick the resin bag adjust his cap
the Shortsop to shift step toward base return
the rubber fire the ball and have seconds to spare
It's doubtful that Sal Mage With all his elaboration
consumes 20 seconds Sal admits he rubs ball regardless
of whether needs rub He puts his finger tips his lips
wipes them of the front of his shirt He retreats the
resin bag turning his back to the batter vacanty
into centerhed and contemplates his next pitch
NOW, THOUGH, MAGLIE must be clock conscious He
doesn't like it, 1.-THE pitcher is out there alone" Mage says
THE ball is virtually in his hands at all times Why
handicap him by putting stop watch him?"
Obviously the umpres aren't going to employ stop
watches Enforcing the speedup rule the province
plate umpire, and Cal Hubbard American League umpire
supervisor, says the 20 seconds will be estimated:
So the plate umpire could be saying to himself somewhat
foolshly, Tick tick tick tick" when Clint
Courtney interrupts to inject Cant wait get
and tie into of Dukes steaks We done
there last Tuesday and he half Ever been
there? Whatsamadda, amt you speaking more?"
The umpire picks up the ticks again the of IA
and the thrdbase coach bellows Hey Joe take look
that ball. Umpire Joes calls for the ball. lofts it back the
pitcher and resumes, Tick =. tick tick tick"
THERE WILL BE long-count umpires and short count
umpres with only few able to approximate the efficiency
of Gruen. There will be those who will become irritated
when Is seconds have evaporaed There will be others who
will refuse to become exercised when seconds have vanished
There will be catchers who will declare pitcher is
oung up the signs and stroll out to him to correct the
condition, consuming dozens of seconds This naturally will
cussons with screaming red-necked cachers and yepng
Infatuated the umpres audacity
in questioning motive-the umpires may reach the concu
sion that the rule designed to time merely touches
squabbles which waste more time.
Then there's bound to be the umpire devoted to duty
and conscenousy ticking of the seconds, who will count
to 81 halt action and below Baonly discover there's
on base and the rule doesn't apply Much merriment
will follow