COLLEGE BASEBALL: NCAA proposes 20-second pitching clock

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 24, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

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Picking up the pace of play?

Rob Watt understands the NCAA's intentions.

The first-year University of Mount Olive baseball coach just hopes it doesn't change the true essence of the national pastime.

The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee tabled the idea of implementing two visible 20-second pitch clocks -- one behind the home plate area and the other located behind the outfield wall -- during the 2019 season for all Division I schools. The Big 12 Conference experimented with the clock in just league play this past spring.

Division II and Division III schools would be required to add pitch clocks for 2020.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel must approve the proposal, which is scheduled for review Aug. 15.

Watt thinks the NCAA reducing game time may help it gain solely from a travel standpoint because student-athletes could miss valuable class time or face a long trip.

"I do get the fact that games could get a little long and that's where they're hinting to cut some time out," Watt said.

Under the proposal, the clock begins once the pitcher steps onto the dirt portion of the mound with the baseball. If the pitcher does not deliver a pitch, make a pick-off attempt or step off the rubber in the allotted time, the batter is assessed a ball. If the batter is not prepared to hit by the time the 20 seconds expire, he is given a strike.

Committee members discussed whether time should be added to the clock if a runner is on base. They agreed to reset the clock at 20 seconds after each pitch.

Also proposed was a two-minute time limit after each half inning. The clock would start immediately after the third out is recorded, negating the current 90-second period which begins when the last outfielder steps into foul territory.

"There are some small nuances in baseball where you talk to the pitcher, slow the game down to your advantage to get a guy loose or whatever," Watt said. "It enforces all of us to be prepared and think a little bit more ahead, I guess."

The Committee also recommended video review and a series of rule changes.

If technology is available, coaches will be allowed two video review challenges per game starting in 2019. It's the same standard of judgmental calls where umpires have an extra set of "eyes" to help interpret their decision.

Watt doesn't foresee that on either the D-II or D-III level.

Many schools have budget limitations that wouldn't allow them purchase the necessary video equipment. Plus, they'd have to find a viable area to set up the equipment and provide space for the review in either the dugout or press box.

"If it's available, you can't argue with somebody trying to get the call correct," Watt said. "I'm all for getting the call right by all means. I do like the human element of baseball, too. [But] I don't see it being something all schools could justify putting in unless the NCAA mandated it."

Other rule adjustments:

• Defensive players are not allowed to block a base without possession of the ball at any time.

• A batter cannot make a movement to get intentionally hit by a pitch. If any portion of his body is outside the batter's box to be hit, it will result in a strike.

• Pitchers cannot fake a throw to third, then throw to first. It will result in a balk.

• Intentional walks no longer require four pitches. The defensive team can inform the umpire that is giving up the free base.

• Teams can have just six defensive conferences on the mound per game. Base runners, however, are not permitted to leave the bases they are occupying during the time out.

Watt says the base blocking and HBP are subject to interpretation.

"I think that rule [blocking] is actually put in there to keep guys from deliberately making players slide or go out of the baseline," he said. "Rules like that are tough. If an umpire feels like the defender got there a little bit early and blocked the base, then you're not going to get the call. It's weird, but just like anything else in baseball, it's up for interpretation on how the umpire sees it."

Some teams use the hit-by-pitch as part of their offensive gameplan.

He's seen some players intentionally get hit, but also understands that if a pitcher is throwing hard and snaps off a breaking ball, the batter's only protection may be to turn into the pitch.

"I'm all for finding a way to get to first base as best you can, but I'm also the first guy to be extremely frustrated when I feel like the batter has gone into the strike zone to get hit by a pitch," Watt said. "I don't agree with that, whatsoever."