Olympic baseball: New extra-innings rule throws players

Posted: 8:49 AM- BEIJING - Only a week before the Olympic tournament, the International Baseball Federation implemented a new, unusual format for extra-inning games.
    It took just three days for the system to come into play - twice, within in about an hour on the two fields at the Wukesong Sports Center.
    And the players found the experience "a little different," according to Salt Lake Bees pitcher Kevin Jepsen, in a tone that suggested "a little" meant "a lot."
    Jepsen did his job well by pitching two scoreless innings in a game the Americans eventually lost 5-4 to Cuba in 11 innings. China's first-ever Olympic victory came in 12 innings over Chinese Taipei, 8-7.
    In an effort to prevent marathon games from throwing the tournament off schedule - which is strange, because sessions are held in the mornings and evenings, with considerable time in between - the federation adopted this plan: Beginning with the 11th inning, teams would start with runners at first and second base, and have the first batter come from anywhere in the lineup.
    U.S. first baseman Terry Tiffee called it "bogus," and infielder Brian Barden said, "It's not baseball."
    The Americans scored a run in the top of the 11th, but Cuba answered with two runs to win.
    Jepsen had allowed one hit while striking out three batters in the ninth and 10th innings. Bees infielder Matt Brown was 0-for-4 at the plate, making him 3-for-12 in three games.
    The other game was scoreless in the 11th, but the teams went wild in the 12th. Chinese Taipei scored four runs, only to be topped by China's five runs.