If spring training games feel a little quicker this year, it's because they are. Today, Major League Baseball announced a 20-second pitch clock for all spring games, a change that comes with some level of nuance.
According to an MLB release posted to Twitter by Mark Feinsand, a 20-second timer will be set between each pitch, and pitchers must begin their windup motions before the 20 seconds expires.
In addition, "batters must be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher" by the five-second mark of the timer.
More info from @MLB regarding the 20-second pitch timer that will be used during Spring Training games: pic.twitter.com/DfGsIisXxI
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 22, 2019
During this year's PiratesFest at PNC Park, Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington spoke a bit on the topic:
Neal Huntington is more concerned about PACE of game than LENGTH of game: #dkps #pirates pic.twitter.com/7kic9dcjBe
— Hunter Alek Homistek (@HunterAHomistek) January 26, 2019
Pitcher Steven Brault will be the first Pirate to put the new rule to use, as he faces Enyel de los Santos and the Phillies Saturday in Clearwater, Fla. Our own John Perrotto is on the scene there.
Follow our Pirates team page for all that coverage as it becomes available leading up to, and following, the opening pitch at 1:05 p.m.