New rules a bit of an adjustment in debut
MESA, Ariz. — San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, in his 13th big-league season, was surprised to open Cactus League play by being warned to get his heels off the edge of the grass. Pitcher Sam Long learned that sprinting in from the bullpen is his best bet. And Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer, like Crawford a longtime veteran, learned that pitchers are still going to vary their delivery times even with a pitch clock.
Welcome to the world of baseball's new rules, with several variations of clock violations, limited numbers of throws over to bases and bigger bases. The Giants were called for three violations in their 10-8 loss to the Cubs on Saturday, one for a pitcher not finishing warm-ups in time to start an inning, one on starter Tristan Beck for not delivering the pitch quickly enough (within 20 seconds) to Cody Bellinger with one on and two outs in the first, and one on third baseman Casey Schmitt for not being ready to hit with eight seconds left on the 15-second clock.
“There were definitely some things we could learn from,” catcher Blake Sabol said, noting that he probably spent too much time game-planning with Long when Long took over for the third inning.
Long said he only got in three warm-up throws and still got dinged for not completing his warm-ups with 30 seconds left on the 2:15 between-innings clock. “I guess I'm going to have to sprint in from the bullpen,” he said.
Hosmer seemed to be the Cubs player who had the most trouble; Long came out with his usual fast pace, delivering the ball with about eight seconds left — but then held for a bit longer at one point.
“He felt a little uncomfortable with the long hold — the clock was ticking down and he called time before we could get a pitch off and he was like, ‘Is that not a ball yet?' ” Sabol said. “I think a lot of guys, it's on their mind right now, especially the veteran guys that didn't play with it last year.”
Crawford learned that the rules against shifts, which include a stipulation that all four infielders must have both feet within the outer edge of the infield dirt when the pitch is thrown, means no part of the foot on a blade of grass — and it can be challenged, too, which potentially could wipe out a big inningending play.
“That was one thing I didn't even realize I did that I just have to be conscious of,” Crawford said. “The only other thing was I felt a little bit rushed getting to the box for the first pitch, but after that, I didn't feel rushed at all.”
Manager Gabe Kapler was pleased with the pace of the Giants first spring game, saying, “Under the circumstances, I think it's going to be a really good rule for Major League Baseball. It's going to make things faster, more enjoyable for the fans and just a better brand, in my opinion.”
Game action: Kapler was less enthusiastic about the team's defensive performance. Going into the winter, the team was clear that the defense must improve this season, and in the Cactus League opener, the Giants made six errors. Only one, by second baseman Thairo Estrada, was made by a projected member of the 26-man roster. … Piscotty, in camp as a non-roster invitee, singled in the first run of the game and also drew a walk. … Beck, who could be up this season, allowed four hits and one run in two innings, and Sabol liked the way he worked out of a basesloaded, no-outs jam in the second, with the lone run scoring on a double-play ball. … Sabol, a Rule 5 selection, hit a homer to dead center in his second at-bat and also doubled. … LaMonte Wade Jr. hit an opposite-field homer in the third, and Schmitt hit a big blast to left in the fourth. … Schmitt made a terrific diving play at third in the second inning, going to his right and making a long throw to first to get Brennen Davis. Schmitt also made an error.