Independent League baseball has its challenges. Without the guiding hand, and finances of Major League Baseball, the clubs are subject more and more to a fickle economy and casual dollars that may or may not believe that “future stars” are unfolding before their eyes every night, as opposed to a host of never-beens who are holding on for a few dollars just to play a few more innings.
However in some cases, the leagues that have survived the longest have actually been some of the most innovative in professional sports. No MLB “Big Brother” looking in means they can be a little more edgy, have players a little older and sometimes have games even more competitive than traditional than affiliated minor league teams. There are few restrictions placed on managers with pitch counts and innings played, so the games have a little higher competitiveness, and with the Indy teams sometimes a last stop for players, there is sometimes an even heightened competitiveness that is sometimes lacking in affiliated teams, especially at the lower levels. While all minor league teams have to be creative in getting fans out for the experience of a night at the ballpark, it is the Indy league teams that have to watch each and every dollar, especially since in many cases the owner of the team has the whole P and L, from salaries of players and staff to hot dog roles.
Every once in a while you will also see a former star looking for a last shot surface at one of the Independent League teams, as opposed to signing on with an affiliated organization where he won’t get a full or long look. It may be a little more money, but the focus is on developing future players with affiliated teams, not in the one shot for former MLB players. The Indy Leagues are about today, about winning, and about the experience for fans.
So into that entrepreneurial spirit is the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. one of the steadiest and oldest independent leagues in North America. With teams around many major markets, the Atlantic League has gotten its share of coverage, and wayward stars over the years, but this year the league is setting out to be even more innovative with baseball in general, by tackling one of the sports’ biggest complaints. Length of games.
How are they going to try and do it?
• Strike Zone – The Strike Zone defined in the Major League Official Rules will be called by Atlantic League umpires in 2013. In practice, despite the rulebook definition, professional baseball pitches above the belt are generally called a “ball” these days. In the past, the Official Rules Strike Zone was called and the Atlantic League would like to attempt to measure the effect of calling the existing rule on pace of the games. The objective of enforcing the Rule Book Strike Zone is to see if this will reduce number of pitches in a game and to speed up play by encouraging hitters to put balls in play earlier in the count.
• Hitters – Existing Rule 6.02 prohibiting hitters intentionally leaving the batter’s box and delaying the game will be enforced. Managers and umpires shall strongly encourage hitters to be ready to bat, and hitters shall minimize time between pitches. Hitters are not to step out of the batter’s box after every pitch. Public Address announcers must stop player walk out music once the hitter enters dirt area around home plate. After a warning, umpires may call a ‘Strike’ for additional violations.
• Pitcher Warms Ups – Existing Rule 8.03 which states “Pitchers will be allowed eight (8) warm up pitches, but shall not consume more than one (1) minute” will now be enforced, as will Existing Rule 8.04 which states “when the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball.” After a warning, each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call ‘Ball’.
• Time between Half Innings – Existing Rule 9.05 regarding “keeping the game moving” will be enforced. Umpires and Official Scorers shall monitor time from the making of last out until first pitch of next half inning is thrown. Goal is 90 seconds or less instead of the existing 120 to 150 seconds.
• Frequent Visits to the Mound – During the first half of the 2013 season, the Atlantic League will also be evaluating whether modifications to the rules regarding mound visits by the manager, coaches, and position players should be added to the experimental program. While this evaluation is being made, managers have been requested to attempt to minimize mound visits and, where feasible, make pitching changes between innings rather than during an inning.
• Game Reports – Within 24 hours following the end of any nine inning game that exceed 2 hours 45 minutes, a written report describing what events caused the game to exceed the 2 hour 45 minutes must be sent to the League Office, by each Manager, Umpires, home club General Manager and Official Scorer.
• Enforcement – This experimental program is a cooperative effort involving all Atlantic League players, Managers, Coaches, Umpires and Front Office. The League expects voluntary compliance and does not anticipate needing enforcement actions that might disturb the flow or integrity of the Game. As data is collected and evaluated adjustments to this program may be made from time to time.
Now from a business standpoint, sometimes longer games mean more concessions consumed, but the goal of the experiment is to draw the repeat customer, one who will see this as speaking directly to their busy lifestyles and will keep them coming back for a few hours at a clip, vs. three or four.
The move also opens up even more sponsorable items for teams…each change brings a host of new ways to promote and keep the game moving at a reasonable clip. If the changes stick, they could get adopted and tried elsewhere, which projects the Atlantic League as innovative and thoughtful about the game. If they fail, it is another good try by clubs looking to get exposure and try and find ways to improve the fan experience.
Now in no way do Indy teams detract from the fan experience of affiliated minor league teams. They complement each other well and often borrow ideas back and forth. However for a league looking to gain marketshare and cut through the clutter, some time adjustments will help, and the Atlantic League has the time to give it a try.
Best Practices: Pole sitting, Chiefs score for fans, Rutgers scores for Sandy