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Players in AFL struggling to adjust to 'pace of game' procedures

Mark Townsend
·Yahoo Sports Contributor

Lost in the background of MLB's so far fascinating postseason is the experimentation going on down in the Arizona Fall League involving the league's proposed "pace of play" measures. In select games, we've even seen the first usage of a 20-second pitch clock, which is obviously designed to limit or eliminate any lollygagging and unnecessary posturing that routinely takes place between pitches.

As noted in the clip above, a pitch does not have to be released before the pitch clock expires. A pitcher coming set at the waist is good enough. From there though, the pitcher must either throw a pitch or make a pick-off attempt. Stepping off the mound after the clock hits zero results is considered a violation.

There were three violations in the first game which featured the clock, which will be used in 17 games total at Salt River Field during league play. Mark Appel, the Houston Astros No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft, committed two of those violations.

The penalty for a clock violation is an automatic ball added to the batter's count.

Batters are also required to keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout the 20-second countdown, unless one of a series of exceptions occurs. The exceptions include, among other things, a foul ball or a foul tip; time being granted to the hitter or catcher, and a pitch that drives the batter of the box. If the batter steps out, the pitcher will be allowed to continue and throw his pitch.

As top Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Corey Seager told Baseball America, the pace of game measures are taking some getting used to because they are taking players out of their comfort zone.

“It’s tough,” Seager said. “You almost feel rushed. It’s not your normal (routine) where you can take your time, get your rhythm. It’s kind of on somebody else’s rhythm. It was a little rushed … getting on and off the field, getting your stuff done in the dugout and in the box mainly because you only have 20 seconds between pitches. You swing and then get right back in—it’s a little weird.”

It's weird, but there's little doubt it's had an impact.

Those are the numbers MLB is most interested in seeing.

Based on Seager's comments, it definitely sounds like the approach of most players would have to be adjusted should these measures be implemented permanently. But maybe they'll also find that a faster paced game leads to a more well-played game, as much of the thinking and perhaps over thinking would be eliminated.

We're probably a long way from this becoming a real story, but the foundation is being laid and you can bet MLB will continue examining the possibilities.

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!