Pitch clock

Various baseball leagues and tournaments around the world have started using a pitch clock to speed up the pace of play.

[12][13] The collective bargaining agreement reached to end the 2021–22 Major League Baseball lockout included the possibility of introducing a pitch clock as of the 2023 MLB season.

Four active players, six persons appointed by MLB, and one umpire were formed into a Joint Competition Committee to review and recommend any changes to playing rules.

Additionally, the batter will have seven to twelve seconds to be in the stance, ready to hit, otherwise an automatic strike will be called.

[17] Marcus Stroman of the Chicago Cubs became the first pitcher to violate the pitch clock during the regular season, during the third inning of the 2023 opening day game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

[20] In December 2023 it was reported that MLB competition committee had approved a rule change that reduced the pitch clock from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base, beginning in the 2024 season.

A pitch clock displayed at Werner Park in 2015
The outfield pitch clock at American Family Field is seen in the center of the image on the pillar in September 2022; here, it indicates that seven seconds remain in a television timeout between innings.