MLB will test a series of experimental pace-of-game initiatives in the Arizona Fall League for possible MLB inclusion beginning with the '15 season. The measures include the batter keeping at least one foot in the batter's box throughout an at-bat, no-pitch intentional walks, a 20-second pitch clock to be used for 17 AFL games at the Salt River Fields complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., an inning break clock that will enforce a two minute, five-second break between half-innings and a maximum of two minutes, 30 seconds for pitching changes. There also will be a limit of three mound or time-out conferences per game not involving injury or pitching changes. These represent the first tangible moves from a new pace-of-game committee created by MLB Committee Bud Selig and involving several league, team and union execs. "We're going to learn a lot and we think this will be really good. It's a great setting," Selig said. "The committee has been hard at work and has a lot of ideas. I'm confident we'll be able to implement some things (at the major league level) next year." The AFL last year similarly served as an important testing ground for the expanded instant replay put into use in the majors this season. Further tweaks of instant replay will be tested at the Salt River Fields games this fall. That complex, the Spring Training home of the Rockies and D-Backs, features a major-league level instant replay system and connectivity to the league's Replay Operations Center in N.Y.
PENALTY SYSTEM: The consequences for players and managers violating the pace-of-game rules in the AFL will vary. Pitchers not adhering to the pitch clock will grant the batter a ball on their at-bat. A similar penalty will apply to violations of the inning break and pitching break time limits. A batter stepping out of the box during his at-bat without being granted permission can have a strike called on him. The time clocks, displayed in both dugouts, behind home plate and in the outfield, will be administered by an independent operator, not part of the umpire crew. As the average length of an MLB game has crept past three hours, even with historically diminished offense, pace of play has increasingly become a flashpoint issue for the league, and was a prominent topic during the commissioner election process in August.
