(New York) Major League Baseball officials are ready to announce a time limit for pitching at home plate and restrictions on defensive measures next season in an effort to shorten game lengths and improve offense.
Major League Baseball’s 11-person competition committee is expected to confirm on Friday the implementation of a 15-second countdown to making a pitch when there are no runners on the trails and a 20-second countdown when there are.
The time limit for making a pitch in Major League Baseball will be slightly longer than what has been experienced in Minor League Baseball this season, at 14 seconds with empty lanes and 19 seconds with runners on tier AAA lanes. At the lower levels of minor baseball, the limits were 14 and 18 seconds, respectively.
In terms of defensive strategies, the new rule stipulates that four players, in addition to the pitcher and receiver, must be in front of the field when a pitch is made, and there must not be more than two defensive players. of the second pillow.
Also, during each hit, a pitcher may not remove his foot from the plate on the mound or throw to a cushion to catch a missing runner more than twice, what Major League Baseball officials call “disengagement.”
If a pitcher attempts a third attempt and fails, an illegal balk will be declared. The limit will be reduced to two if a runner advances.
Finally, the size of the targets will be increased from 15 inches square to 18 inches square. Initially, the measure will give a little more security to the first baseman, who will be less at risk of having his foot trapped by the batter. In addition, it could allow increasing the number of stolen bases, as the distance between the pads will be slightly reduced.
The plan, first reported by The Athletic, was detailed by two Major League Baseball officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the changes are expected to be announced on Friday.
The changes would take effect at the next training camp.
In the minor leagues, the addition of a timer has reduced the average game length from nine innings from three hours and four minutes in 2021 to two hours and 38 minutes this season.
The average length of a nine-inning Major League baseball game is three hours and six minutes this year. According to Elias Sports, it was two hours and 46 minutes in 1989.
“It’s slow. It’s boring,” New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said of a televised 2017 game.
“It’s so hard to watch when you’re not interested in it. »
