MLB announces pace-of-play rules effective this season

Major League Baseball officially announced Friday several additions to its pace-of-play program in an attempt to speed up the game. 

Batters

All batters must keep at least one foot in the batter's box unless one of the following exceptions occur: 

• The batter swings at a pitch
• The batter is forced out of the batter's box by a pitch
• A member of either team is granted timeout
• A defensive player attempts a play on a runner
• The batter feints a bunt
• A wild pitch or passed ball occurs
• The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the mound after receiving the ball
• The catcher leaves the catcher's box to give defensive signals

If the batter intentionally leaves the batter's box and delays play, the umpire shall award a strike without the pitcher having to deliver a strike. 

Countdown clock between innings

Timers will be added to measure non-game action and break time between innings and pitching changes. Following the third out of each half-inning, the timer will count down from 2:25 for locally televised games and 2:45 for nationally televised games. 

Pitchers will be permitted to throw as many warm-up pitches as they wish prior to the point when 30 seconds remains on the clock; however, pitchers will be deemed to have forfeited any of their traditional eight warm-up pitches that they are unable to complete prior to the 30-second deadline. 

Batters will be encouraged to get into the batter's box with 20 seconds remaining on the timer. Batters who do not enter the box prior to five seconds remaining on the timer and pitchers who do not begin the motion to deliver the pitch prior to the clock running out will be deemed to have violated the timing rules. 

Instant Replay

Managers can invoke instant replay from the dugout and will no longer be required to come onto the field. Managers will be required, however, to leave the dugout to challenge a play that ends the inning. 

• Whether a runner left the base early on a tag-up will be reviewable. 
• A manager will retain his challenge after every call that is overturned. 
• Postseason, regular-season tiebreaker games and the All-Star Game will allow managers two challenges per game.
• A manager must use a challenge in order to review whether a play at home plate included a violation of the rule governing home plate collisions.

All violations of the rules will result in a fine. No fines will be issued in spring training or in April of the regular season to give players a chance to adjust.