Yanks' mound meetings slow Series, give MLB pause

(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada, left, talks with starting pitcher CC Sabathia in the first inning of Game 4 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA— All those meetings on the mound called by catcher Jorge Posada and the New York Yankees are giving Major League Baseball pause, too.

Posada and pals visited pitcher CC Sabathia eight times _ in a single inning _ on Sunday night, grinding Game 4 of the World Series to a standstill. Agitated Phillies fans booed each trip.

MLB vice president of umpiring Mike Port said frequent mound meetings by all teams likely would be discussed by baseball officials this offseason.

"It would fall under the province of pace of game," Port said before the Yankees beat Philadelphia 7-4 to take a 3-1 Series lead.

Baseball has tried speed-up rules and guidelines in recent years, with varying results. Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon was fined a few times this season and even had a ball called on him for taking too long to pitch. Hitters are encouraged to stay in the batter's box.

One trip to the mound is allowed per inning _ by a manager or coach _ before a pitcher must be pulled. There is no limit, however, on players-only meetings.

The Yankees held six in the first inning of Game 4. Then came eight more _ four alone with Jayson Werth hitting _ in the fifth. Damaso Marte relieved Sabathia in the seventh. After two pitches, Posada made the 60-foot, 6-inch trudge yet again.

Sabathia wound up striking out Werth with two runners on. Perhaps the Phillies could have used a meeting to figure out who covers third base if Johnny Damon steals second against an overshifted infield.

"It's just part of the game," Posada said. "We want to talk with each other so we know what we're doing."

Plate umpire Brian Gorman clapped his hands while Posada and Andy Pettitte met in Game 3, trying to hurry them along. The PA system at Citizens Bank Park played "Fly Like an Eagle" by the Steve Miller Band _ the song starts out "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' into the future" _ when Posada and Sabathia talked.