Counting time

by Barca Blog

The Southeastern Conference will attempt to speed up the pace of its tournament this week with modifications and changes to the routines of years past.

Changes include:

*The implementation of a 20-second clock between pitches when the bases are empty, and a 108-second limit between half innings. Teams that fail to meet the time requirements will be assessed a ball or strike.

*There will only be 30 minutes between games, instead of 45. Teams will take infield at another site to save time, and pregame player introductions have been canceled.

*The start time of the first games on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday have been moved from 10 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. CT. On Saturday, the if necessary games will shortened to seven-inning contests.

With four games scheduled on each of the first two days, the modifications make sense. The final game of the night regularly goes past midnight, which doesn't help fans, teams or television.

Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin supports the changes, and doesn't think it will impact the overall play.

"From a ticket standpoint the SEC wants fans, and I don't blame them," Corbin said. "When you start a game at 10 or 11 o'clock at night, you have some issues. There was a lot of dead time that everyone cut down. I do think you'll see quicker games, but I do not think it will have a bearing on the game itself."

Video of the Day: With the installation of the pitch clock, I'll be asking the person sitting next to me in the press box the same question all week long: "What time is it?" Only one response will suffice, thanks to the Spin Doctors.