Yankees manager Aaron Boone is prepping his club for the inclusion of the pitch clock this upcoming season. With the Bronx Bombers slated to get their first in-game look at the pitch clock when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., on Saturday, the club has had Triple-A umpires working the plate during simulated games prior to the matchup.
“I think these last few days, grateful for the umpires that have come out here and helped us out in that regard,” he said. “I think it has been really valuable. It’s sparked more conversation around it, but now to get to start applying it in games obviously will serve us well. It’s important to get going.”
Under the new rules, pitchers will have 15 seconds to make a pitch when bases are empty and 20 seconds when runners are on. Failing to make a pitch within the allotted time results in an automatic ball. Also, hitters are now only allowed one timeout per plate appearance and must stay in the batter’s box. The hitter must be alert at the eight-second mark of the pitch clock. Failing to do so results in an automatic strike for the hitter.
