	AllExperts > Baseball Trivia (General)
	Search

About George W. Case III
Expertise
WW II era major league baseball history - questions about specific WWII era players, stadiums, life in the major leagues, teams, impact of major league baseball upon American society during WWII (FDR's "Green Light" letter to the then Commissioner of Baseball) and the relationship of President Roosevelt with Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith in an effort to keep baseball "alive" during the darkest days of WWII.

Experience
Son of a former major league baseball player, George Case Jr. who played in the major leagues from 1937-1947. I was the former Executive Director of SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) Have produced a DVD taken from my father's 8MM COLOR "home movies" of life in the major leagues from a ballplayer's perspective - currently marketing this DVD privately and also in conjunction with www.baseballdirect.com

Publications
SABR Bulletin - "Case's Corner" - newsletter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) "Growing Up at Griffith Stadium" - article published courtesy of The Big Train (Walter Johnson Baseball League) - Bethesda Maryland

Education/Credentials
BA - Rutgers University 1963 MA - Rider University 1979

Awards and Honors
Former Executive Director of SABR Consultant and speaker - City of Trenton NJ baseball exhibit - "When Trenton Baseball Roared Like Thunder" - 1994

You are here: Experts > Games > Trivia > Baseball Trivia (General) > trips to the mound

Baseball Trivia (General) - trips to the mound

Expert: George W. Case III - 10/26/2009

Question
How long has it been since a manager and or coach has been limited
to 2 trips to the mound before taking out the pitcher? A friend
of mine says that in the 1960's there was no limit to the amount
of trips a manager could make.

Answer
I cannot tell you exactly when the rule was changed but prior to the change, probably sometime around 1970 the manager was allowed to make as many trips as possible - the rule change was a result of several factors - trying to speed up the game - has not really happened - the game has actually gotten longer, unfortunately and the change in the managerial strategy of handling pitchers - used to be a starting pitcher was expected to start and finish a game - if necessary, a relief pitcher or pitchers would be used - today the starting pitcher usually will go 6 innings, then a set up man - middle reliever and/or relievers for the 7th & 8th innings (sometimes a set up man will be brought in to pitch to only a certain batter and then he will be removed for another pitcher depending on the hitter, the score, number of men on base etc - then the closer will come in usually for the 9th inning (although on occasion such as game 6 of the AL Championship game, Mariano Rivera actually pitched the eighth and ninth innings) - often more than 3-4 pitchers are used in today's game - and in the American League, the DH has probably contributed to this situation in that a manager can make all kinds of pitching changes, depending on the situation, because the pitcher does not have to bat - so you have a situation where the pitching coach might go out to discuss the specific way to pitch to a hitter and then the manager follows up that conversation by making a trip to the mound and is then is forced to take the pitcher out of the game - actually, which, in my opinion lengthens the game - this happened the other night in the Angels/Yankees game - the Angels pitcher did not want to come out of the game but the manager had to take him out because of the two trip rule

Add to this Answer Ask a Question