MLB has a few key rule changes for 2023, but none will be more top of mind than the pitch clock incorporated this year.
The timer, which will be visible on score-bugs and is meant to engender a faster pace of play, is an answer to MLB game times reaching an average of greater than three hours in recent years.
In spring training, average game length has dipped down to about two and a half hours per game, in line with when the clock was implemented in the minor leagues. And it doesn't only affect pitchers; batters and catchers must adjust as well.
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Here's what to know about the pitch clock as it comes to the forefront in 2023.
What is a pitch clock in MLB?
A pitch clock in the context of MLB is a time restriction on how long a pitcher can take to deliver a pitch to home plate.
There is, however, more to it than that. It also keeps batters in the batter's box on time and keeps catchers behind the plate.
Why MLB has new pitch clock in 2023
MLB is adding a pitch clock for a myriad of reasons this year, but it all comes down to a simple number: three.
Because games have lasted an average of more than three hours since 2016, MLB has tried to find ways to increase the pace of play for fans.
The pitch clock was instituted in the minor leagues last year, and it brought the average game time down to two hours and 38 minutes from three hours and three minutes in 2021.
Games have increased in length due to everything from batters stepping out to pitchers frequently disengaging and taking a lot of time between pitches. In reality, it's a direct rebuttal to players taking more time than ever between pitches.
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How long is the MLB pitch clock?
The pitch clock has different lengths depending on the situation.
- No runners on: 15 seconds
- Runners on: 20 seconds
- Between batters: 30 seconds
- Between innings: 2 minutes 30 seconds
The pitcher must be going home before the timer hits zero.
What is a pitch clock violation?
A pitch clock violation is what it sounds like. If the pitcher hasn't made a motion to deliver the pitch when the clock hits 0:00 (the ball doesn't necessarily have to be out of his hand), it will be counted as a pitch clock violation.
What happens when the pitch clock runs out?
If the pitch clock runs out, a ball is assigned to the batter.
However, if the batter isn't alert to the pitcher with eight seconds left on the clock, a strike will be applied.
The clock is then reset as it would be between any other pitch.
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MLB pitch clock rules
There are a few subsets of rules within the pitch clock designed to make sure it can't be gamed.
Maximum two disengagements per plate appearance
One of the biggest things that will affect how pitchers hold runners is a maximum of two disengagements for every plate appearance.
Disengagements are pitchers stepping off the rubber for things like pickoff attempts or to recycle signs from the catcher (the latter should happen less frequently due to PitchCom).
If a pitcher disengages twice and is unsuccessful in picking off the runner on a third attempt, the runner will get a free base. Disengagements reset if the runner advances during the at-bat.
When the batter must be alert to the pitcher
The pitch clock affected batters almost as much as pitchers throughout spring training, as there is also a burden of responsibility on the player at the plate.
The batter must be in the box and alert to the pitcher with eight seconds left on the clock. If he isn't, an automatic strike will be charged.
This rule in particular has led to some consternation, as it ended a game early in spring training.
One timeout per at-bat
Some batters are notorious for long routines between pitches, so this is meant to curb that. Batters now only get one timeout per at-bat, which has been implemented to avoid them gaming the clock to go about those routines.
Mound visits
The rules is still five mound visits per nine innings, with an additional visit in the ninth if all five have been used before it. A mound visit is added for every extra inning a game goes to.
Mound visits are still limited to 30 seconds.
Pitch clock exceptions
There are a few scenarios in which the pitch clock can be lengthened or dismissed at the umpire's discretion.
Injury
The most obvious example is injury. If a player stays down, the umpire can signal for the clock to be shut off until play is reestablished.
Destabilizing plays
These would be situations in which some readjusting is required. A brushback pitch that takes a batter out of play would fall in this category, as would a foul ball that rearranges a catcher's or umpire's equipment. Once things are reset, the clock can resume.
Repositioning
The shift may be a thing of the past, but that just means players are going to be moving more to field.
If a player is taken far out of position tracking a ball, then umpires can pause the clock while that player gets back to his spot. The player, of course, has to show some urgency as well.
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Catcher leading off
The two-minute, 30-second limit between innings can be waived if a catcher is hitting to lead off the next inning and makes a clear effort to get ready in the dugout.
Catchers are wearing a lot of gear, so if a buckle gets stuck, they won't necessarily be penalized for it.
Umpire discretion
MLB is really just asking for umpires to use common sense regarding when to make exceptions to the timer. A lot of things happen over the course of a game to slow it down. This rule isn't designed to combat those, it's designed to keep players honest about what they're doing between pitches.
