Fans attending Carolina Stadium to watch the Gamecocks have probably noticed several new features at the ball park. Along with the National Championship trophy and some items commemorating last season, there is a new clock in centerfield. This clock was erected in the off season because of the addition of a rule requiring certain portions of the game to move quicker.
Listening to the fans in the stands over the weekend, I found that everyone isn’t clear on the new clock rule, so here it is.
There are actually two new timing rules this season. The first rule is a 20 second rule that governs pitching, and the second is a 90 and 108 second rule that governs the time between innings. We’ll start with the simpler of the two rules, the in between inning rule.
Put simply, teams are required to take the field and be ready to play within 90 or 108 seconds of the last out, and the lead off batter is required to be in the box ready to bat. If the defense isn’t ready a ball is assessed. If the batter isn’t ready a strike is assessed. 90 seconds is the rule if the game isn’t televised, and 108 seconds apply for televised games. The NCAA rule book specifically points out that common sense is to be used and makes allowance for delays that are not the fault of either team such as awards ceremonies.
The other rule change governs how much time can elapse in between pitches. It will be referred to as a pitchers’ 20 second rule, but the rule imposes requirements on the batter as well. The first thing to remember about the rule is that it doesn’t apply if a runner is on base. If there is no runner on base, the pitcher is required to begin his delivery to the plate within 20 seconds of getting the ball on the mound. The first violation of the rule results in a warning; all subsequent violations result in balls being awarded to the batter.
The batter must be in the box when 5 seconds are showing on the clock. If the clock expires and the batter was not in the box ready to hit with 5 seconds or less left on the clock, then a strike will be called. There are some other nuances such as the clock won’t start if a runner is returning to base or the pitcher is returning to the mound, but that’s basically the rule.
The rule is found in the NCAA rule book in Appendix F, which starts on page 141 here.
