MLB players aren’t on board with pitch clocks

NEW YORK — The players’ association rejected Major League Baseball’s proposal to institute 20-second pitch clocks and limits on mound visits — a move that dares management to unilaterally impose the changes designed to speed pace of games.

Union head Tony Clark and deputy general counsel Matt Nussbaum informed MLB of the decision Thursday during a telephone call to deputy commissioner Dan Halem ,a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized.

Management has the right to implement the rules changes it proposed last year. Under baseball’s labor contract, management can change on-field rules with one season of advance notice.

MLB does not intend to make any decision before its next owners’ meetings, scheduled for Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Spring training games start Feb. 23, and the season opens March 29.

Nine-inning games averaged a record 3 hours, 5 minutes during the 2017 regular season and 3:29 during the postseason, and the length of games has concerned club owners and executives in an age where they compete for consumers with more entertainment choices and shorter attention spans. In other MLB news: • Authorities said Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas was accused of reckless driving and criminal speeding after his car was clocked at 105 mph on a metro Phoenix freeway. Arizona Department of Public Safety officials said troopers pulled over Tomas, 27, around 9:30 a.m. Thursday. He was booked into the downtown Phoenix jail, and his Mercedes coupe was impounded. Authorities said Tomas could face up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $500 on the criminal speeding charge, while a recklessdriving charge could lead to a suspended license.