MLB warns groups that batters might not attempt to trick pitchers into clock violations

NEW YORK — Teams had been warned by Major League Baseball on Wednesday that batters might not try to deceive pitchers into quick-pitch violations.

“In recent days, we have seen batters attempt to induce pitchers to violate the pitch timer regulations by creating the appearance that they are in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher with more than eight seconds remaining on the clock when, in actuality, they have not fully entered the batter’s box,” MLB senior vice chairman Michael Hill wrote in a two-page memo to basic managers, assistant basic managers and discipline managers.

After getting forward 0-1 within the rely in the course of the ninth inning Saturday, Boston nearer Kenley Jansen was known as for a violation for beginning his supply whereas St. Louis’ Willson Contreras had his proper foot within the batter’s field and his left foot outdoors. Jansen adopted with a pair of balls that pushed the rely to 3-1, then was known as for one more quick-pitch violation, leading to a stroll.

“The batter’s purpose with such an approach is to deceive the pitcher into beginning his windup or coming set before the batter is fully in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher,” Hill wrote within the memo, a duplicate of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

“We have advised umpires that conduct by batters designed to deceive a pitcher into beginning their windup or coming to the set position early — including pretending to be in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher – constitutes circumvention under the pace of game regulations.”

“Pitchers must continue to be aware of the position of the batter, and identify when the batter is appropriately in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher before the pitcher begins the windup or comes set,” Hill added. “However, if the umpire determines that a batter appears alert to the pitcher and prepared to hit a pitch with more than eight seconds remaining on the timer, but is deliberately keeping one or both feet outside of the batter’s box, the umpire will not call a violation on the pitcher, but rather will issue a warning to the batter for his deceptive behavior.”

Additional comparable conduct by the batter would lead to a violation on the batter and a strike known as.

“Clubs that have multiple players who repeatedly engage in this type of behavior will be subject to discipline,” Hill wrote.