NEW YORK (AP) – Pitchers will have to beat the clock at Triple-A and Double-A this season.
In an effort to speed games, Minor League Baseball’s governing body said Tuesday a ball will be called in the count starting May 1 when a pitcher fails to start his windup or reach the set position within 20 seconds after having possession of the ball on the mound.
The clock will be reset when with runners on base a pitcher feints a pickoff or steps off the rubber, or after any action that allows a hitter to reach the batter’s box. Depending on the situation, the hitter must be in the batter’s box or within the dirt circle surrounding the plate when the countdown begins.
The speed-up rules are more radical than those instituted in the major leagues for 2015, where approval of the players’ association was needed. Minor league violators in April will be subject to warnings only, the same as in the major leagues.
Both the major leagues and minors will have clocks timing pitching changes and between-inning breaks: 2 minutes, 25 seconds for most games and 2:45 for games on national television.
Penalties in the major leagues are limited to warnings and fines, but in the minors a ball would be called if a pitcher doesn’t start his windup or come to a set during the last 20 seconds. In addition, a strike would be called if a hitter isn’t in the batter’s box and “alert to the pitch” with five or more seconds left.
Clocks are being installed at 60 ballparks in the high minors, paid for by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, the interactive branch of MLB.
The major leagues also plan to enforce the rule used in the minors that requires a hitter to keep at least one foot in the batter’s box in many instances.