Beginning with the 2023 season, the MLB introduced the concept of a pitch timer. During the same season, I went to multiple Spring Training games and to the opening day of the Rockies, and one conversation I kept hearing from fans was about how the new MLB pitch clock worked. After watching that opening day game I decided to put together this guide to help fans answer the one common question I kept hearing – how does the MLB pitch clock work?
The pitcher has 15 seconds to deliver a pitch when no runners are on base, 20 seconds when more than one runner is on base, and 2 minutes and 15 seconds between each half-inning. If a pitcher fails to start their windup before the timer runs out, the pitcher is charged with an automatic ball.
Additionally, the hitter must be in the batter’s box and ready for the next pitch with at least 8 seconds left on the pitch clock. Otherwise, the hitter is charged with a strike.
From watching that home opener game, I also learned a lot about when the pitch clock starts and stops. Keep reading to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the MLB pitch timer works.
Article Contents
- The Four Types of Pitch Clock Timers in the MLB
- Hitters Must be Ready to Swing With 8 Seconds on the Pitch Clock
- 15-Second Pitch Timer When Bases Are Empty
- 20-Second Pitch Timer When Runners Are on Base
- 30-Second Pitch Timer After Retiring a Hitter
- Teams Are Allowed 2:15 Between Each Half-Inning
- Teams Are Allowed 2:15 For Pitching Changes
- Mound Visits are Limited to 30 Seconds With the Pitch Clock
- Managers Get a 15-Second Timer to Challenge Close Plays
- When Does the Pitch Timer Start?
- The Pitch Timer Temporarily Disappears for the 7th Inning Stretch
- Who Controls the Pitch Timer?
- What is the Penalty for the MLB Pitch Clock?
The Four Types of Pitch Clock Timers in the MLB
There are four times that can be seen on the pitch clock – 15 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, and 2 minutes and 15 seconds. The table below shows what scenarios are responsible for setting the pitch clock time.
| Time on Pitch Clock | Scenarios for Setting Timer |
| 15-Second Pitch Clock | – Between pitches, when bases are empty – Managers to challenge close plays |
| 20-Second Pitch Clock | – Between pitches, with runners on base |
| 30-Second Pitch Clock | – After each play |
| 2 Minute 15 Second Pitch Clock | – Between every half-inning – During pitching changes |
Keep reading to learn more about each scenario, as well as the rules around MLB’s pitch timer.
Hitters Must be Ready to Swing With 8 Seconds on the Pitch Clock
Unlike other sports, where a timer applies to one team (usually the offense), the MLB pitch timer applies to both offense and defense. And because the pitch timer applies to both the pitcher and the hitter, you might have heard some people talk about an 8-second rule in baseball. But what is the 8-second rule in MLB?
In the MLB, hitters must be in the batter’s box and be ready for the next pitch with at least 8 seconds left on the pitch clock. If hitters are not ready when 8 seconds are left, they are charged with an automatic strike.
The other pitch clock rules mentioned below all refer to the pitcher delivering the next pitch, but keep in mind for each scenario mentioned that hitters are still required to be ready for the next pitch with at least 8 seconds left on the pitch clock.
15-Second Pitch Timer When Bases Are Empty
The first time I saw an MLB game with a pitch clock I was confused because sometimes the pitch clock said 15 seconds and other times the pitch clock said 20 seconds. At first, I thought it had to do with what inning the game was in, but it turns out the pitch clock is determined by how many runners are on base.
When there are no runners on base, pitchers get 15 seconds to deliver the next pitch.
The one exception to this rule is pitchers get 30 seconds on the pitch clock after retiring a batter. If a hitter strikes out, pops out, or grounds out, 30 seconds are put on the pitch clock.
20-Second Pitch Timer When Runners Are on Base
When the offense has one or more runners on base, 20 seconds are put on the pitch clock.
This 20-second rule applies to any number of runners. Whether there is one runner, two runners, or three runners, pitchers will get 20 seconds to deliver the next pitch.
Similar to the 15-second rule above, the one exception to this rule is that 30 seconds are put on the pitch clock after each play.
I can easily see an argument to be made to allow more time when more runners are on base. After all, if there are runners on first and third, pitchers will need enough time to check both runners. But for now, the 20-second rule applies to any number of base runners.
30-Second Pitch Timer After Retiring a Hitter
Regardless of how many runners are on base, 30 seconds are put on the pitch clock after a hitter is retired.
This allows enough time for the defense to get the ball back into the pitcher’s hand, the retired batter to exit the field, and the next batter to get ready for the next pitch.
This means whether a hitter strikes out, grounds out, or flies out, you’ll see 30 seconds on the pitch clock.
Teams Are Allowed 2:15 Between Each Half-Inning
After each half-inning, two minutes and fifteen seconds are put on the pitch clock.
This means each team has two minutes and fifteen seconds to get ready before the next pitch. The pitcher will throw a couple of warm-up pitches, the infield warms up by fielding ground balls and making throws to first base, the outfield plays catch, and the catcher will make a throw down to second base.
The pitch clock does not reset during this time. So pitchers need to begin their delivery before the two minutes and fifteen seconds reaches zero. Otherwise, they will be charged an automatic ball.
Teams Are Allowed 2:15 For Pitching Changes
Similar to the time allowed between each half-inning, teams are allowed two minutes and fifteen seconds for pitching changes.
These two minutes and fifteen seconds include the time it takes for the relief pitcher to run to the mound from the bullpen (usually from the outfield) and throw a couple of warm-up pitches.
If the pitch clock reaches zero, the pitcher will be charged with an automatic ball.
Mound Visits are Limited to 30 Seconds With the Pitch Clock
Each team is limited to five mound visits per game and each of those mound visits is limited to 30 seconds. The timer starts as soon as the manager leaves the dugout.
However, managers could decide to change pitchers when they use a mound visit. So technically, this break in action could take up to two minutes and forty-five seconds if they use the full 30 seconds for a mound visit and the full two minutes and fifteen seconds for a pitching change.
Managers Get a 15-Second Timer to Challenge Close Plays
One additional scenario you could see in a game is when the pitch clock is set to 15 seconds after a close play. This is because managers have 15 seconds to challenge a play.
From the games I’ve attended, it looks like the pitch clock is initially set to 30 seconds after a close play. Then it quickly updates to 15 seconds and starts counting down. And even though managers have 15 seconds to challenge a play, I haven’t seen many managers take more than 7 or 8 seconds to make a decision.
After the manager decides on whether to challenge or not challenge, the pitch clock is reset to 30 seconds.
When Does the Pitch Timer Start?
The pitch timer is manually controlled so it doesn’t always start at the exact same time, but there are two common scenarios I’ve seen that determine when the pitch timer begins. I’ll cover those two in detail below.
Scenario 1 – Pitch Timer Begins After the Pitcher Receives the Ball
After a pitcher delivers a strike or a ball, the pitch timer doesn’t start until after the pitcher receives the ball from the catcher. In fact, it seems like the pitch clock starts at the exact same time the pitcher catches the ball. Even if the pitcher is not on the mound, the pitch clock will start.
Additionally, batters can reach base on a base hit. In these scenarios, it looks like the pitch clock will start around the same time the pitcher receives the ball. I’ve also seen the pitch clock just before the pitcher receives the ball, but the timer usually starts around the exact same time the pitcher catches it.
Scenario 2 – Foul Balls Need to be Removed From Play Before the Pitch Timer Begins
Sometimes, foul balls will bounce off a wall or a net and stay in the field of play. In these scenarios, foul balls need to be removed from the field of play before the pitch timer begins.
The Pitch Timer Temporarily Disappears for the 7th Inning Stretch
Baseball is one of the few sports that does not have a halftime, but it does have something called the 7th-inning stretch. At the games I’ve attended, the pitch clock disappears for a few minutes so everyone can enjoy the 7th-inning stretch.
During one game I was at, the pitch timer disappeared for roughly 4 or 5 minutes during the 7th inning stretch. There was enough time for someone to sing America the Beautiful and for all the fans to sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
At the conclusion of both songs, the pitch timer was reset to two minutes and fifteen seconds. So technically, the away team had a few extra minutes to warm up during the 7th inning stretch.
Who Controls the Pitch Timer?
From what I’ve witnessed, the home plate umpire controls the pitch timer.
It looks like the home plate umpire wears some type of remote on his belt. Whenever he’s ready to set the pitch timer, he reaches towards his belt and presses the appropriate button.
What is the Penalty for the MLB Pitch Clock?
The MLB pitch clock includes penalties for both the offense and defense. But what are the penalties for violating the MLB pitch clock?
If a pitcher does not begin their delivery before the pitch clock reaches zero, they are charged with an automatic ball. If a hitter is not in the batter’s box and ready for the next pitch with at least eight seconds on the pitch clock, they are charged with an automatic strike.
These penalties are different than other sports that use a timer. For example, basketball and football have a timer that only applies penalties to the offense. The MLB’s pitch timer includes penalties for both the offense and defense.
