"How many special rules does Shohei Ohtani have?" - "Stop the favoritism" - Criticism over game delays due to extended warm-ups and the fairness debate surrounding Ohtani with the Dodgers

1. What Happened — The Origin Lies in the "Sense of Unfairness" on Social Media

Sportskeeda reported that Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani delayed the game with "extended warm-ups," causing fans' dissatisfaction to erupt. The article introduced comments like "How many special rules are there?" and "Stop the favoritism." The article is structured around a "social angle," focusing on fan reactions without concluding the specifics of the event.Sportskeeda

Similar sentiments were observed in international reports and commentary during the World Series, with overseas articles conveying FOX broadcaster John Smoltz's observation that "the usual 90-second frame extended to about 3 minutes." However, there is a discrepancy in reports regarding the extent of the overrun in specific instances and whether any official violations were declared, necessitating cross-referencing with primary records (umpire records/official violation counts).The Times of India

2. Reviewing MLB's "Time" Rules — Pitch Timer and Batter Obligations

The premise is the pitch timer regulations introduced in 2023 and slightly revised in 2024. It is 15 seconds with no runners and 18 seconds with runners. If the pitcher does not start the pitching motion within the time limit, it is automatically a "ball." Conversely, the batter must be in the batter's box and "alert" (ready) to the pitcher with 8 seconds remaining, or a "strike" is declared.CBS Sports+2MLB.com+2

While this "between pitches" time is widely known, warm-ups between innings or during pitcher changes are managed under a different framework. MLB's "Pace of Play" guidance explains the countdown operation guidelines, such as the final pitch signal before inning start or batter announcement (general explanation since 2018). Essentially, the idea is "any number of pitches within the frame, but within the required time."MLB.com

3. Is "Extended Warm-Up" a Violation? — Umpire Discretion and the Scope of Exceptions

The issue is when, why, and which rule's "time frame" was exceeded. Game progress is primarily under the control of the home plate umpire/crew chief, and "legitimate delays" can occur due to weather, injury checks, broadcast timing, equipment issues, etc. Especially in the postseason, longer breaks may be inserted due to broadcast and production requirements. Therefore, the mere appearance of "looking long" does not immediately imply a violation.

Moreover, even in cases where adjustments on the mound extended right after a change, making the first pitch appear delayed, if the umpire properly stopped and restarted the timer, no rule violation occurs. Currently, no official documentation confirms that "only Ohtani is given special treatment, and violations are overlooked." The focus of the reports is more on the point that "fans felt that way" rather than the presence of a violation.Sportskeeda

4. Why Does It Seem Like "Only Ohtani is Favored"? — Cognitive Bias and Visibility

The perception of "favoritism" is compounded by (1) excessive exposure to superstars, (2) selective broadcasting and social media, and (3) the emotions of the opponent's local fans. While emphasizing star players is business-wise reasonable for MLB and media, the achievements of other players become relatively less visible and are easily perceived as "bias." In fact, MLB's official social media frequently posting about Ohtani itself sparks debates and ignites criticism of "favoritism."The Times of India

Furthermore, in this postseason, booing and calls in the enemy territory of Toronto became a topic, with emotional voltage rising in several instances. Such an "atmosphere" makes even a delay of several seconds easily spread as a significant unfairness.Reuters+1

5. Data and Operational Consensus — "Rules are the Same for Everyone" as a Principle

Since the 2024 revision, the time between pitches with runners is fixed at 18 seconds, and 15 seconds without. Violations result in automatic balls/strikes applied equally to everyone. The basic principle remains the same even in the postseason. Therefore, even if there was a delay in Ohtani's individual scenes, if timer stop requirements or substitution/production requirements were involved each time, it cannot be immediately called "favoritism." Rather than the rules being "especially" relaxed, it is more logical to understand that broadcast breaks or on-site judgment sway the sense of time.CBS Sports+1

6. Historical "Long Preparations" and the "Pace" of Star Players — The Range of Acceptance

Many star pitchers tend to create their own "pace." The pitching tempo, sign exchanges, and rosin handling can make the perceived time feel longer. However, even so, staying within the rule framework is a professional condition. This season, with Ohtani's return to two-way play, the team has carefully managed his pitching adjustments throughout the week. It is entirely possible that the context of health considerations and his unique routines lead to experiences that "seem long."Los Angeles Times

7. Comparison with NPB — The Cultural "Pace" and Mechanical Counting Differences

While NPB historically emphasizes the cultural "pace" more than MLB, recent efforts have been made to shorten game times. MLB's pitch timer is mechanical and clear, but NPB's operation is somewhat softer, depending on the league, stadium, and situation. This cultural difference, where American viewers are "absolute about seconds" and Japanese fans evaluate "context and pace," is a reason for the discrepancy in perception even when watching the same footage.

8. "Favoritism" Discourse in the Media and SNS Era — How Much is Legitimate Criticism?

Exposure to star players is legitimate marketing that maximizes league value, but if it undermines the perception of fairness in the sport, it backfires. The important points are (1) the official increases transparency in rule operation, (2) broadcasts clarify timer displays and stop reasons, and (3) reporters and commentators distinguish between "facts (seconds, rulings)" and "emotions (atmosphere)" in their reporting. By doing so, parts of the "favoritism" criticism based on factual misunderstandings will naturally decrease.

9. Practical Checklist — When You See "Extended Warm-Up"

• What time of day? Between innings, right after a change, or between pitches.

• Was the timer displayed? Was the pitch clock on the broadcast screen or in-stadium display operational?

• What were the stop requirements? Were reasons for stoppage such as injury, equipment, production, or umpire meetings clearly indicated?

• What was the ruling? Was an automatic ball/strike, caution, or violation indicated?

• Can it be confirmed in official records (Game Day, box score notes, etc.)?

10. Conclusion — The Existence of "Special Rules" is Unconfirmed; The Discussion is About "Operation and Impression"

At present, no official documentation indicates the existence of "special rules applied only to Ohtani." Rather, the explicitly defined seconds for the pitch timer, etc., are equally imposed on everyone. This uproar is best understood as a scenario where star exposure, opponent emotions, and the long postseason production overlapped, leading to a simplistic association of **"looked long" = "favoritism"** spreading. Moving forward, the visibility of timer operations by officials and broadcasters, along with media prioritizing fact-based explanations, is essential for healthy discussions.Sportskeeda+2CBS Sports+2