Commissioner Rob Manfred says pitch-free walks are on fast track
Planned modifications to video-review rules for this season include a 30-second time limit for managers to request a review, and a two-minute limit for the review umpire in New York to make a decision — unless a supervisor in the replay room gives permission for the umpire to take longer.
“As soon as we’re done with the clubs, we’ll start implementing the pitchless intentional walk,” Manfred said Tuesday before the opening game of the new spring training ballpark of Houston and Washington.
Wanting to speed the pace of play, management also discussed raising the lower edge of the strike zone from just beneath the kneecap to its pre-1996 level the top of the kneecap, the installation of pitch clocks and limits on trips to the pitcher’s mound.
Under baseball’s labor contract, management can make unilateral changes to playing rules only with one year advance notice.
Other changes planned for this year include revised language to stop quick pitches and to keep first- and third-base coaches in the coaches’ boxes.