MLB to use 20-second pitch clock in spring training

A new experiment looking to speed up baseball will be utilized in spring training.

Like a shot clock but for pitchers, the MLB commissioner announced the use of a 20-second pitch clock.

“You will see pitch clocks in those (spring training) games,” Manfred said Sunday. “We will start getting ready for the possibility that we’re gonna use the pitch clock on Opening Day.”

There won’t be any “turnovers” or penalties if the pitcher goes over time, however, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASN.

A 20-second pitch clock has been used in the minor leagues since 2015. There, if a pitcher doesn’t beat the clock, a ball is called.

Manfred said that talks with the MLB Players’ Association about using the clocks during the regular season continue.

Manfred, who succeeded former Milwaukee Brewers owner Bud Selig as commissioner four years ago, has implemented multiple other rule changes
— limiting mound visits — to speed up game times.

Games in 2018 took three hours, which was five minutes faster than 2017.