Feb

13

A 13th inning rule for the Cape League?

Posted by Greg | Filed Under News | 7 Comments

Last season it took 18 innings for the Harwich Mariners to beat the Orleans Cardinals (now Firebirds), and move on to the Cape Cod Baseball League Championship, which they eventually won.

What might have happened in that Cape League game if in the 13th inning a rule had been in place to start each half-inning with runners on first and second base (and the batting order intact)? Apparently, that is precisely what will happen in a few weeks when the World Baseball Classic gets underway.  According to Japanese and Italian reports, the idea is a little controversial for fans.

Would the 13th inning rule work for the Cape League, whose collegiate elite and aspiring pro players are equally coddled?

Comments

7 Responses to “A 13th inning rule for the Cape League?”

  1. Brian Foley on February 14th, 2009 1:09 am

    Great idea and it would save the pitching staff’s from long games. I am not a fan of these games going 18 innings where a kid could potentially get hurt.

  2. Andrew on February 14th, 2009 11:08 am

    I’m a little torn, but I’m in favor of this. I’ve been at 18-inning long Cape games before. The majority of fans left well before the 14th inning. Personally I enjoyed the game, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a desire for the game to end so that I could get home.

    Implementing the rule may also serve as another bullet point for the “showcase league” argument.

  3. Capeman on February 15th, 2009 7:48 am

    Similar to the ridiculous college football overtime, I don’t like it. You should have to earn baserunners and not doing so doesn’t really make it baseball anymore.

    The “18 inning game” is a rare event and altering the way the game is played for such an occurence doesn’t make sense.

  4. Willie on February 15th, 2009 9:10 am

    Most high-level college position players were pitchers at some point. I rather see them tow the rubber and give it a shot for a few batters.

  5. Brian Foley on February 15th, 2009 9:38 pm

    I rather see a game end rather then an outfielder blow out his arm trying to pitch.

  6. Willie on February 16th, 2009 8:49 am

    Morris from Auburn, 1B, may close for them according to their website?

    Throwing to a few hitters, especially with wood bats to finish up an extended game isn’t that far-fetched.

  7. Brian Foley on February 23rd, 2009 2:00 pm

    I respectfully disagree with you Willie. The point of the Cape League is to showcase the athletes for potential MLB careers. They might not say that but that is what it is for.

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