MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

Pitch Clock No Problem For Naturals

Starter Christian Binford of Northwest Arkansas delivers to the plate against Arkansas on June 16 as the pitch clock counts down at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
Starter Christian Binford of Northwest Arkansas delivers to the plate against Arkansas on June 16 as the pitch clock counts down at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson said on media day he didn't believe the new rules in the minor leagues to improve pace of play, including implementation of a pitch clock, would be a big deal.

"Not really, maybe a couple ejections," Wilson said with a chuckle.

All About That Pace

• A pitcher has 20 seconds to initiate his windup or come to the set position. If not, a ball will be called.

• A batter must be in the batter’s box with at least five seconds left on the 20-second clock, if not a strike is assessed.

• There is a time limit of two minutes, 25 seconds between innings and 2:45 for a nationally televised game.

He's been exactly right for his team. The Naturals have been penalized for just one clock violation as the season nears the end of the first half of the Texas League season. That came in San Antonio on June 7, which was the Naturals' 55th game of the season.

Naturals infielder Kenny Diekroeger became the first violator on his team when he was a bit tardy getting into the batter's box and was assessed strike one by home plate umpire Ramon Hernandez.

The rules dictate a pitcher has 20 seconds to begin his wind up or come to set position. If the duration is violated the batter is awarded ball one. But in Diekroeger's case, he was in violation and was assessed a strike.

Diekroeger said hitters are paying attention to the clock.

"I do, more so when I'm first entering the box," he said. "Getting ready, everybody has their routine. I don't think my routine takes that long."

He doesn't have any unusual routine, just digging out a hole for his back foot, getting his feet positioned, then taking a deep breath.

"After I take that deep breath, I'm down past 10 seconds," Diekroeger said. "Actually there's been a couple of times since then I've done that and called time and they reset the clock. I apologized to the catcher and the umpire. They were fine with it."

Naturals pitcher J.C. Sulbaran, who is one of the more deliberate workers on the Northwest Arkansas staff, said it hasn't affected his routine on the mound.

"I do move around a lot on the mound," Sulbaran said. "I really have to make sure the mound is perfect before I throw. I thought it might affect me, but it really hasn't, because as soon as you come set, the clock stops."

Sulbaran said working at a quick pace is good for the pitcher.

"I think it's more for the hitter and some hitters say it's more for the pitchers," Sulbaran said. "I got no problem with it."

Texas League president Tom Kayser agreed the clock, which is being used in Double-A and Triple-A leagues, has not been much of an issue in his league.

"We haven't had any disciplinary things come out of this," Kayser said. "People get used to it. It is what it is. There's always the odd player that says 'No clock is gonna tell me how to proceed.' But it's not really been a big thing."

Kayser didn't have current numbers, but noted there were 40 violations called in 56 games from May 15-29. Players and umpires were given more than a month as a grace period. Players were penalized beginning May 15.

There is also a time limit of two minutes, 25 seconds between the end of an inning and the start of the next inning, and there has not yet been a violation of that rule, Kayser said. Umpires have also worked with the teams when they have different types of promotions that could run longer.

"It's a very, very rare occasion, but clubs go beforehand and say "Here's what we've got.' I think I've had one call this year asking for extra time," Kayser said.

Wilson didn't even talk to his players about the clock until just before the penalty phase went into effect.

"I didn't say a word to the guys until literally two days before it went into effect," Wilson said. "One, I didn't think it was a huge deal. J.C. is a little slow at times. But the biggest thing is it's just one more thing to worry about."

Wilson credited the umpires around the league with using good discretion on the new rules, too.

"They have done a good job not letting it affect the game," Wilson said. "There's been a couple times here that the visiting team might have been close. If you had been a stickler of an umpire they probably would have called it, which I don't care.

"The umpires, they are young, too. To add something taking that much scrutiny and add that onto them, they have done a great job."

Hernandez, who is in his third season as an umpire in the Texas League, said the rules are more to speed up the pace of the game, not to penalize.

"We are trying to work with everyone and make it work out the best for everyone," Hernandez said. "We've probably only had about half a dozen violations, our crew. Maybe six to eight."

The rules are also only a framework, which leaves room for interpretation, Hernandez said.

"Some may interpret it slightly differently," Hernandez said. "For the most part, it's not a problem."

The 24-year-old Diekroeger was called up from Class A Advanced Wilmington on May 21 and didn't have the advantage of the early grace period, but he isn't complaining.

"As a player and as a fan, I understand," Diekroeger said. "I don't disagree with why it's there. I think improving the pace of play is good for baseball as a whole."

Hernandez, along with the other members of his crew Sean Allen and Derek Eaton, agreed they have seen the pace of play pick up this season. Even though it might not necessarily been seen in game time. Kayser said average game time in the Texas League thus far is down three minutes.

"I think there's less time spent getting in the box and staying in the box," Hernandez said. "Pitchers are getting their sign and working faster. It might not show in the game times, but the flow of the game has improved."

Sports on 06/19/2015

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