Playing with Time

Today, as we once again change our clocks to “Spring Forward”, we take a broader look at “March Madness”, not only the College Basketball playoffs, but our attempt to manipulate TIME.

Basketball

Some of you may remember Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. It was the final game with the Bulls for Michael Jordan and coach Phil Jackson. With 5.2 seconds left, Michael Jordan’s game-winner shot put the Bulls up 87-86. It is remembered as one of the greatest plays in the history of the NBA.

In college basketball, particularly during March Madness, teams not only strategize against their opponent, but also against the clock. Who can possess the ball for the final shot of the game?

Baseball

As we approach “Opening Day” at the end of March, some of us traditionalists are bemoaning rule changes that are to be put in place for the 2023 season. These changes are an attempt to manipulate the clock and to shorten the game.

Fortunately, the length of games will still be determined by innings, not minutes, but to create a crisper pace, there will be a 30-second timer between batters and then a shorter time limit between pitches. Pitchers will be required to begin their motion 15 seconds after receiving the ball with the bases empty or 20 seconds after receiving the ball with runners on base. If they don’t, they will be charged with an automatic ball.

Pitchers will also be limited to two disengagements from the mound (i.e. pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance with a runner on first. The disengagements reset the clock.

Batters, meanwhile, must be in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher by the 8-second mark on the clock, or else be charged with an automatic strike.

Life

As we contemplate this March Madness, I offer two poems:

I wasted time and now doth time waste me,

For now hath time made me his numb’ring clock:

My thoughts are minutes and with sighs they jar

Their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch,

Whereto my finger like a dial’s point

Is pointing still in cleansing them from tears. (5.5.49-54)

-Shakespeare

The Stop Watch

One click and time passes,

A second click and time stops.

The buzzer sounds,

The game is over.

CPW