Clock Confusion

I have to admit I am confused by the pitch clock, and why the players were so set against it. The current rule is that with the bases empty, a pitch must be delivered in 20 seconds. That rule is regularly ignored. I thought the pitch clock would only cover that situation. That doesn’t seem to be the case:

It’s an extreme example, Brian Dozier concedes, but just the fact it would be possible bothers him.

“Say it’s the bottom of the ninth, full count, bases loaded, and a guy needs to take a deep breath or gets the hiccups or something,” the Twins second baseman said Saturday. “Is that a walkoff? Come on.”

Dozier, who participated in a two-hour conference call Tuesday with player representatives from all 30 MLB teams, said the players’ union is unanimous in its opposition to a set of proposals from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to speed up the game. The most obvious — and most objectionable — proposal, Dozier said, is the installation of a clock that would require pitchers to throw a pitch within 20 seconds of receiving the ball.

I had not realized the rule was changed:

When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to
the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time
the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall
call “Ball.”

The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the
ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing
stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

The intent of this rule is to avoid unnecessary delays. The umpire
shall insist that the catcher return the ball promptly to the pitcher, and
that the pitcher take his position on the rubber promptly. Obvious
delay by the pitcher should instantly be penalized by the umpire.

It seems to me there should be more time allowed between pitches with runners on base, as you don’t want to give the runner a clue that the pitcher is going home rather than trying for a pick-off.

from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2rmiSjE