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#1
Cons for pitchers
1, for the mental part, thinking they have to throw a lights out game in order to beat out the rain in case of a delay. Also, if the game is delayed before the game even starts, that is even worse for the pitchers mentality and routine. Hitters just sit around and play cards if that happens.
2, the mound and landing area is impossible to maintain through medium-heavy rainfall. Pitchers build grooves into a hard packed mound and get comfortable on their landing foot. In the rain, it gets sloppy and in this day and age most pitchers are extending that landing foot as far forward as possible to generate max velocity. Really easy to slip around in there and mess with a pitchers mechanics and delivery. The batter box is sloppy too, but many hitters are usually changing spots in the box anyways so keeping that in good shape isn't much of an issue for hitters. It does affect base stealing obviously, but that only affects a handful of guys per game.
3, the ball is a little heavier and the feel to it is much different that what a pitcher is accustomed to. Pre-game ball rubdowns pretty much all go to hell and you'll see a pitcher doing everything he can to get it right in his grip before each pitch. It will steal a little pop from a hitter, but not enough really to be stealing homers away from normal sluggers.
Pros for pitchers
1. Harder to pick up the ball in the rain.
2. Drip effect from the rain on the helmets.
3. Ball is heavier and can't be hit as hard
4. Umps may widen strike zone
Thoughts on this?
0
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