MLB uses pitch clock in Arizona Fall League games

Major League Baseball is using a pitch clock in Arizona Fall League games

The Arizona Fall League has been used as a valuable player development tool since it’s inception after the 1992 season. Now the AFL has become the new guinea pig for Major League Baseball. This is not a bad thing. Last fall, MLB tried out instant replay in the Arizona Fall League. It worked so well that it was implemented into major league games in the 2014 season.

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This year, the Arizona Fall League is testing out the use of a pitch clock to improve the pace of play in baseball games. In an era of instant gratification and minimal attention spans, Major League Baseball has taken a backseat to the NFL and NBA when it comes to fan popularity. MLB officials believe that the pace of play is more than partially to blame.

The pitch clock was first tested out on Tuesday afternoon. The two games finish in 2 hours, 33 minutes and two hours, 39 minutes. A total of 21 runs were scored in the two games, so it wasn’t just a matter of dominant pitching. The night game finished in two hours, 56 minutes. That puts Tuesday’s average at two hours, 42 minutes. That shaved nine minutes off of the average game time from the Arizona Fall League last season.

This is just the result from one day. It is very possible that it could shave more time than that off by the end of AFL play.

The main change is the implementation of a 20 second pitch clock. If a pitcher does not throw a pitch within 20 seconds, a ball is called. There are also a host of other rule changed being tested out in the Arizona Fall League. The pitch clock is only in place at Scottsdale. So is the timeout limitation rule. There is a limit to only three mound conference per game. Injuries and pitching changes are not affected by the new timeout rule.

League wide rule changes include the time between innings. Of course, during nationally televised games this may have to be forfeited. The money talks, after all. But in games with no such problems, teams now have two minutes and five seconds between innings. If a batter does not have one foot in the batter’s box ready to go at the 1:45 mark, a strike is called. If a pitcher does not throw a pitch by the 2:05 mark, a ball is called. Also, if you want to intentionally walk a player, a manager simply signals the umpire. No pitches have to be thrown, which could really help the pitchers. Not having to throw four intentional balls should only help control. Also, the time honored tradition of a batter stepping out of the box to adjust himself is likely coming to an end. A new rule states that a player must have one foot in the batters box at all times. the only exception is after a foul ball.

Instant replay is also being expanded to include everything but balls and strikes. Baseball’s modification of the “in the neighborhood” rule is being fully enforced in the AFL this year. That means that players must actually touch the base with the ball for an out to be recorded. This is likely bad news for middle infielders. Expect more injuries from collisions between baserunners trying to break up the double play and second baseman trying to make the throw to first.

Will all of these changes have the desired effect on pace of play? Only time will tell. But if the changes in only nine minutes, is it worth it?

Major League Baseball is using a pitch clock in Arizona Fall League games

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