OnĀ October 1,Ā 2014,Ā Major League BaseballĀ announces that it will test some newĀ rulesĀ to speed up the flow of the game during this comingĀ Arizona Fall LeagueĀ season. Hitters will no longer be allowed to step out of theĀ batterās boxĀ during anĀ at-bat; pitchers will need to begin their pitching motion within 20 seconds of receiving the ball; a batter will take his base automatically when anĀ intentional walkĀ is called for, without the need for the pitcher to throw four pitches outside the strike zone; teams will be limited to three mound conferences, now called time-outs, per game; and there will be a set maximum time before the first pitch is delivered following a change of innings or a pitching change. If these changes prove successful, they may well be introduced at all levels ofĀ organized baseball.
TheĀ National LeagueĀ agrees to allow overhand pitching, but rules thatĀ pitchersĀ must keep both feet on the ground throughout their pitching motion in order to reduce the velocity of theirĀ pitches. They still must throw the ball at the height requested by theĀ batter. In addition, teams are now required to supply a separate bench for each club at their park to limit inter-team fraternization.
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November 20, 1884
