Minor league game time cut 20 minutes with pitch clocks
NEW YORK » Minor league games averaged 2 hours, 39 minutes in the first three days with a pitch clock, down 20 minutes from the prior average this season.
Major League Baseball said Tuesday that the 132 games with a clock averaged 5.11 runs and 15.9 hits, close to the average of 5.13 runs and 16.1 hits for the 335 games without a clock.
The pitch clock enforcement began Friday and data with the clock included games through Sunday.
Time between pitches during a plate appearance was cut from 21.5 seconds to 19.7 seconds, and time between batters was lowered from 43 seconds to 39.7.
As part of the March 10 memorandum of understanding for a new collective bargaining agreement, a committee composed of six management officials, four union representatives and one umpire has the right to make onfield rules changes with 45 days’ notice.
Among the changes MLB is considering proposing for next season are a 14-second pitch clock with no runners, a 19-second pitch clock with runners, limits on defensive shifts and use of larger bases.
Padres 1st MLB team to reach uniform ad deal, with Motorola.
NEW YORK » There will be a new pitch on Major League Baseball fields next season.
The San Diego Padres became the first team to announce a deal for ads on their uniforms, saying Tuesday that patches with a Motorola logo will be worn on the sleeves of their jerseys.
The March 10 memorandum of understanding for a new collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the players’ association gave the 30 teams the right to sell patch ads on uniforms and sticker ads on helmets. The sides adopted an Aug. 6, 2021, proposal by MLB to amend a section of the Official Baseball Rules.
MLB decided to launch the uniform ads with the 2023 season and says it may start the helmet ads with this year’s postseason.
“Motorola’s iconic logo on our jersey is a perfect alignment with our Padres brand,” Padres CEO Erik Greupner said in a statement Tuesday.
Dodgers seeking sponsors for field, team jersey patch.
LOS ANGELES » The Los Angeles Dodgers have hired a marketing agency to sell naming rights to the Dodger Stadium field and add an advertising patch to the team uniforms.
The team on Tuesday announced the deal with Sportfive.
The uniform patch will appear on jerseys starting next season, having been approved as part of MLB’S new five-year collective bargaining agreement.
The field naming rights deal will give the eventual sponsor the most prominent position within the ballpark and include its name on signage related to the stadium as well as other marketing opportunities.
The team is not selling naming rights to Dodger Stadium, which opened in 1962 and is the thirdoldest ballpark in the majors.
Red Sox add 2 more to COVID list ahead of Toronto series.
BOSTON » Red Sox catcher Christian Vázquez and infielder Jonathan Araúz have been added to the COVID-19 related injury list.
The team announced their additions on Tuesday, a day after catcher Kevin Plawecki and two staffers tested positive for the virus.
Right-handed pitcher Tyler Danish was recalled from Worcester and Boston selected the contract of outfielder Rob Refsnyder from the Triple-a farm team to take their places on the roster.
Boston opened a three-game series against Toronto on Tuesday night.
After Sunday’s 8-1 victory over the Twins, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Boston expected to be without multiple unvaccinated players for an upcoming series at Toronto.
Starting pitcher Tanner Houck told the Boston Globe on Sunday that he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and won’t pitch during the four-game series beginning April 25. He would have been in line to start the second game.