One of them is the pitch clock.
The pitch timer requires the pitcher to start his motion within 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base.
The timer starts the moment the hurler gets the ball from the catcher and stops the moment he goes into his motion.
If the pitcher fails to start his motion within his established time, he will be charged with an automatic ball.
The new system has already been tested in Triple-A and while it’s certainly a new element for pitchers who have grown accustomed to taking all the time they need, they should eventually adjust to the new conditions.
Batters, however, will need to make some adjustments, too.
“There will be a pitch clock for MLB games in 2023. Batters must be in the box and alert to the pitcher by the 8-second mark or they will be charged with an automatic strike,” Codify Baseball tweeted.
There will be a pitch clock for MLB games in 2023.
Batters must be in the box and alert the pitcher by the 8-second mark or they will be charged with an automatic strike. pic.twitter.com/4wBGWVtr4p
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) February 9, 2023
So there you have it: it will be an adjustment period for both pitchers and hitters.
Good ol’ Nomar Garciaparra, shown in the video, would get an automatic strikeout with those antics.
All kidding aside, perhaps we will be seeing a bunch of balls and strikes being added to the count early in the season, but the number should decrease as the campaign goes on.
Bigger bases and the elimination of the shift – requiring two infielders at each side of second base – are the other modifications introduced by MLB for the upcoming season.
The automated strike zone lurks in the league’s future, as well, but nothing is yet official.
