Pitcher's Shot Clock

The SEC started the "shot" clock last year for pitchers in order to speed up the game and the NCAA adopted it this season.  It gives the pitcher a minute and a half between innings and 20 seconds between each pitch but only when the bases are empty.  Pitchers tend to slow down the game when runners are on not when the bases are empty so I don't think the pitch clock makes a difference in the first place.  For guys that work fast it doesn't really matter.  I'll be the first to admit it is annoying when pitchers walk around the mound after every pitch.  I understand that college baseball fans think games are too long and speeding up the game is a good idea but it's trying to reinvent the game.  The new bats have lowered final scores which speeds up the game.  What about hitters that take 30 practice swings, check their batting gloves, touch their toes, take another 10 practice swings and slowly walk to the batter's box?  What's next? No National Anthem? No warm-up pitches?  Play the game the way it's supposed to be played.

Buying In to the Team

Throughout the course of a baseball game there is always a play or few which decide the winner and loser. It might be a home run, sac fly, double, error, missed opportunity, etc.  Obviously the score at the end of the game is what matters the most but there is much more that goes into that.  College baseball is about playing at a high level and buying in to the team concept.  There aren't many programs that draw the attendance to feed off the crowd like football and basketball.  Generally, the teams that play at a higher energy level win close games.  

Opening Day

Today is the national start day for college baseball. There are many story lines surrounding this season such as Garret Wittels breaking Robin Ventura's hit streak, runs coming at a premium due to new bats, and Rosenblatt Stadium is only a memory.  For the past seven months we've waited and prepared ourselves for this day.  Opening day is sure to generate some adrenaline and also turn some stomachs.  For northern programs it's the first time being outside and fly balls and pop-ups seem to dance in the air.  The sun never looked so bright and the grass never looked so green.  It's a day to break in the freshman but outside of the first inning it's just another game to the older guys.  Opening weekend doesn't tell how the season will end up but it gives a sense of where you're at.