Batter`s Box Rule - Riders Insider Blog

Minor League Pace of Game Rules
Batter’s Box Rule
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The Batter’s Box Rule will be in effect for all levels of the Minor Leagues
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The batter must keep at least one foot in the box at all times unless one of the
following events occurs:
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The batter swings at a pitch
The batter is forced out of the batter’s box by a pitch
A member of either team requests and is granted “Time”
A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at any base
The batter feints a bunt
A wild pitch or passed ball occurs
The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound after receiving the ball
The catcher leaves the catcher’s box to give defensive signals
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The batter may not leave the dirt circle unless there is a substitution or conference
The batter’s first violation will result in a warning and the subsequent violations
will result in an automatic strike call from the umpire
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As described in the Pitch Timing rules, if the batter is permitted to leave the box,
he must re-enter with 5 seconds remaining or the umpire will call a Strike
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Timer Location – Outfield
There will be one large timer in the outfield
approximately 4 feet tall by 8 feet wide
Timer Location
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Timer Locations – Home Plate
There will be two timers behind home plate between the dugouts
Timer Location
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Break Timing Rules - Pitching Changes and Inning Breaks
Break timing rules will be in effect for Class AA and AAA Minor Leagues only
The timer will start at 2:25 for all games and count down to 0:00
Time Remaining
Activity
30 Seconds
Pitcher must throw final warm-up
pitch
25 Seconds
PA shall announce the batter
Batter walk-up music must end
20 Seconds
On-field entertainment must be
concluded and off the field
20 Seconds – 5 Seconds
Batter must enter the batter’s box
20 Seconds – 0 Seconds
Pitcher must begin the motion to
deliver the pitch
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Break Timing Rules - Pitching Changes and Inning Breaks
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The goal is to begin play with 20 seconds remaining on the timer
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Batters are expected to enter the batter’s box with 20 seconds remaining on the
timer
— If the batter does enter the box by 5 seconds remaining, the umpire shall
award a strike on the batter
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Pitchers are expected to begin the motion to deliver the pitch as soon as the batter
enters the box and becomes alert to the pitcher
— If the pitcher does not begin his motion to deliver the pitch or come set prior
to the timer reaching 0, the umpire will award a ball on the pitcher
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Umpires will notify players when they have reached the various deadlines (e.g.,
final warm up pitch) as a way to keep the pace moving
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If players are ready to play early, the umpires will allow the players to begin play
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Break Timing Rules - Pitching Changes and Inning Breaks
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Inning Break: The timer starts when the umpire signals the final out of the inning
— The timer will start at the conclusion of God Bless America or any other preapproved mid-inning event
— The League President may grant an exception to 2:45 for other mid-inning
events and the umpires and operator will be notified prior to the game
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Pitching Change: The timer starts when the pitcher crosses the warning track or
foul line from the bullpen
— Pitchers should leave the bullpen promptly upon signal from the umpire
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If the timer begins at the end of the inning and there is a pitching change, the
timer will restart when the pitcher crosses the warning track or foul line
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Break Timing Rules - Pitching Changes and Inning Breaks
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Pitchers will have a set amount of time to throw as many or as few warm-up
pitches as they would like
— Umpires should indicate that the pitcher should throw his final warm-up pitch
with 30 seconds remaining
— Umpires should stop the pitcher from throwing additional warm-up pitches
with less than 30 seconds remaining unless an appropriate exception occurs
— Pitchers will not be guaranteed 8 warm-up pitches
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The timer will stop when the pitcher begins his motion to deliver the pitch or
come to the set position
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Exceptions to Break Timing Rules
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Batters and pitchers will not be subject to break timing rules in any of the
following circumstances:
— The pitcher or catcher ends the prior half inning at bat or on base
— Delay in normal break activities (e.g. medical emergency, playing field issues,
equipment issues)
— The umpire believes the pitcher is at legitimate risk of injury if the pitcher does
not receive additional time to throw warm-up pitches
— Any other special circumstance at the discretion of the umpire
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Managers who have a concern about player injury should approach the umpire in
advance of the game to request an exception – umpires and managers should pay
particular attention to Major League players on a Rehab assignment
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Umpires should grant legitimate requests for exceptions from players or managers
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In addition, Umpires should use their judgment to grant exceptions (even if not
requested by the manager or player) when legitimate issues occur that prevent
players from being ready to play on time
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20 Second Pitch Timer
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The 20 Second Pitch Timer rules will be in effect for Class AA and AAA Minor
Leagues only
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The pitcher will have 20 seconds to begin the motion to deliver each pitch
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Start of Timer
— First pitch of at bat (other than first batter after break): Pitcher has
possession of ball in dirt circle around the rubber and batter is in dirt circle
around home plate
— After a pitch in which the batter must stay in the batter’s box: Pitcher has
possession of ball in dirt circle around the rubber
— After a pitch in which the batter may leave the batter’s box: Pitcher has
possession of ball in dirt circle around mound and batter is in dirt circle around
home plate
— After the Umpire calls “Time” or the ball becomes dead: Pitcher is on the
pitcher’s rubber and batter is in the batter’s box, alert to the pitcher
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If the batter is permitted to leave the batter’s box, he must re-enter the box by 5
seconds remaining on the clock or the umpire shall award a strike on the batter
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20 Second Pitch Timer
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Stop of Timer
— When the pitcher begins his motion to deliver the pitch or begins his motion to
come to the set position
— Pitcher makes a pick-off attempt at any base
— Pitcher feints a pick-off attempt or steps off the rubber with runners on base
— Clock will stop and immediately restart
— The Umpire calls “Time”
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The Umpire may call “Time” and signal to the operator to restart the clock if the
operator did not start the timer at the appropriate time
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Penalty System
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Batter’s Box Rule Violations
— The umpire shall issue a warning for the player’s first violation and then an
automatic strike for subsequent violations. These penalties will be in effect
upon Opening Day
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Break and Pitch Timer Violations
— If the batter does not enter the box by 5 seconds remaining in the break, the
umpire shall award an automatic strike on the batter
— If the pitcher does not begin the motion to deliver the pitch or begin the
motion to come set by 0 seconds remaining in the break, the umpire shall
award a ball on the pitcher
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Players are encouraged to request “Time” if a unique circumstance will not allow
the player to meet the timing guidelines described above. Players who are granted
time in advance of the timing deadline will not be subject to penalties
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Penalty System – Grace Period
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There will be a grace period for penalties of the Break and Pitch Timer rules. There
is not a grace period for the Batter’s Box Rule because it has been in effect at the
Minor League level in previous seasons
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May 1 will be the first day in which penalties will be enforced for the timer-based
rules. Prior to May 1, the Umpires shall issue a warning for all violations
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After May 1, there will be no warning for a violation of any of the timing rules. The
player’s first violation in the game will result in a ball or strike call by the Umpire
unless one of the stated exceptions occur
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Other Rules and Guidelines
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If the timers fail, the umpire should keep time with a watch and penalties should
not be enforced
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Application of these rules may not be protested
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Operators will submit reports on violations to the League Office, Minor League
Baseball, and Major League Baseball
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Umpires should report any violations of the Club entertainment guidelines (e.g., all
on-field entertainment must be off the field prior to 20 seconds remaining on the
timer) to the League Office and Clubs may be subject to discipline
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