Major League Baseball is getting set to implement a 20-second pitch clock when there are no runners on base for the 2018 season, ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting.
A part of commissioner Rob Manfred’s pace-of-play initiative, should this pass, pitchers will be required to begin their throwing motion within 20 seconds of the previous pitch.
According to Olney, MLB doesn’t necessarily need the players’ union to agree to the pitch clock as the league has the power and authority to implement this in 2018, regardless. However, league officials would prefer to come to an amicable agreement on the matter, if possible.
This time limit has been experimented with in the minor leagues for the past three seasons and it would appear it’s now ready for The Show.
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