Beat the Clock: Pitchers Put on Timers in High Minors

NEW YORK (AP) — Pitchers will have to beat the clock at Triple-A and Double-A this season.

In an effort to speed games, Minor League Baseball's governing body said Tuesday a ball will be called in the count starting May 1 when a pitcher fails to start his windup or reach the set position within 20 seconds after having possession of the ball on the mound.

The speed-up rules are more radical than those instituted in the major leagues for 2015, where approval of the players' association was needed.

In the majors, the speed-up rules involve clocks timing pitching changes and between-inning breaks, but the penalties that start May 1 are warnings and fines. The minors also will have timers for pitching changes and breaks, but balls and strikes will be assessed against violators.

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