Report: 20-second pitch clock, mound visit limit among MLB's proposed changes

Major League Baseball is confident that a pitch clock and new rules surrounding mound visits can shave at least 10 minutes off each game, according to a memo obtained by Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

The players' union reportedly rejected the revised proposal from commissioner Rob Manfred on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. While Manfred has the right to impose the rules regardless of the vote, he'd prefer to reach an agreement between the two sides and will meet with union chief Tony Clark next week.

Part of the reason for the players rejecting the proposal is reportedly the fact that many are angered with how slow-moving free agency has been this winter, as more than 100 players - including many prominent ones - remain without a deal less than a month before spring training opens.

Several notable changes regarding pace of play were presented to the players, and obtained by Passan, starting with a 20-second pitch clock both with the bases empty and when runners are on.

PITCH CLOCK RULES

• Clock starts when the pitcher has the ball on the mound and stops when he begins his windup or comes set.
• Should the pitcher step off the rubber, the clock resets.
• Hitters must be in the batter's box five seconds after the clock starts.
• Pitchers receive one warning per game.
• A second violation results in a ball being awarded to the hitter.
• The rule would come into effect on Opening Day.

MOUND VISIT RULES

• Any visit from a manager, coach, or player to the mound, or if a pitcher leaves the mound to speak with another player, counts as a mound visit.
• More than one visit in the same inning results in the pitcher being removed from the game.

Manfred has made it a goal in recent years to trim the length of games. Despite his efforts, the average game time was three hours and eight minutes last season.