Major League Baseball and the players’ union are making progress toward an agreement on pace-of-play rule changes that could be implemented in time for spring training games, according to Fox Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi.
MLB could implement new pace-of-play rules in spring training games
More good news for people who don’t want clocks, but would like quicker games.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Stricter enforcement and minor rewriting of existing rules will likely be the extent of the changes, notes Morosi. The current rules state that pitchers must release the ball within 12 seconds of receiving it when the bases are empty, and that hitters aren’t allowed to exit the batter’s box without reason.
Neither of those bylaws are enforced much by umpires in today’s game. That could change soon, though verbiage regarding how long pitchers can take to throw the ball while runners are on base would have to be added. The same applies for major league hitters, who aren’t required to keep one foot in the box -- a rule that is already in place in the minors.
Both rules, in addition to the previously proposed plans of shortening between-innings breaks, would be a step in the right direction for those who would prefer MLB stay away from pitch clocks.
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