MLB 20 Second Pitch Clock and Rule 5.07 (c)

[Guest Chayim Phillips]

What do you know about this and the 12 second playing rule…..

As part of MLB’s Pace of Game Initiative, the Pitch Clock Rule is a rule added last year.  Automatic clocks are placed behind the center field wall, in the dugouts, and behind home plate.  The timers are set for 20 seconds from the time the pitcher receives the ball from the catcher, and the pitchers have to release the ball before the timer runs out.  If the pitcher does not release the baseball, an automatic “ball” is called for the batter.

That’s fine, except I am confused about two points that you may know about:    

(1)  Official Baseball Rule 5.07 (c) says with no runners on base, the pitcher has 12 seconds to deliver the ball; otherwise it’s a “ball.”   Is this Pace of Game Rule saying the pitcher has an additional 8 seconds?

(2)  As I said, Rule 5.07 (c) applies when there are no runners on base.  Does the Pace of Game rule only come into effect when there are no runners on base?  With a runner on base, you have the whole subject on holding the runner on his base or a attempting to pick off a runner.  Is this Pace of Game Rule ignoring that or does the Pace of Game rule only apply when there are no runners on base.

[noumpere]

I am away from my books but:

1) aT ONE TIME AT LEAST THER WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN mIlb AND mlb.  bE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT RULE ON THE TIMING.

2) Yes, it only applies with no runners.  No limit with runners.

 

(apologies for the caps.  I'm on vacation and using a strange computer and I'm not going back to change it.)