Extra Innings have long been a staple of Major League Baseball (MLB). They are an exciting way to determine a winner for a game that has been tied after the allotted nine innings. However, the rules of extra innings can be confusing, especially when it comes to the mysterious “guy on second.” Let’s explore why there is a guy on second in extra innings and how it affects the game.
What is Extra Innings?
Extra Innings is an extra set of innings played when a game has been tied after the nine innings normally allotted for the game have been completed. The extra innings are played until one team has scored more runs than the other and is declared the winner.
What is the “Guy on Second” Rule?
The “guy on second” rule is a rule that was instituted in 2020, which states that when extra innings begin, the batting team will start with a runner on second base. This runner is referred to as the “guy on second.” This rule is designed to reduce the amount of time that a game can go on without a winner being declared.
Why is There a Guy on Second in Extra Innings?
There are several reasons why the MLB has chosen to implement the “guy on second” rule in extra innings. The first is to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a game that has gone into extra innings. By having a runner on second, the batting team only needs to hit the ball in order to score a run and potentially win the game. This eliminates the need for the team to go through the process of getting a runner into scoring position, which can take several innings.
The second reason is to reduce the number of pitching changes that must be made. By having a runner on second, the batting team does not need to rely on the pitcher to get a runner into scoring position. This reduces the number of pitching changes that must be made, which can help to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a game.
The third reason is to reduce the number of innings that must be played in order to determine a winner. By having a runner on second, the batting team only needs to get a hit in order to score a run and potentially win the game. This eliminates the need for the team to play several innings in order to get the runner into scoring position.
Conclusion
The “guy on second” rule is an important rule that has been implemented in the MLB in order to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a game when it goes into extra innings. By having a runner on second, the batting team only needs to get a hit in order to score a run and potentially win the game. This eliminates the need for the team to go through the process of getting a runner into scoring position, which can take several innings. The “guy on second” rule is an effective way to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a game that has gone into extra innings.