Boone ‘grateful’ for help from Triple-A umps with pitch clock

Yankees manager Aaron Boone is prepping his club for the inclusion of the pitch clock this upcoming season. With the Bronx Bombers slated to get their first in-game look at the pitch clock when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., on Saturday, the club has had Triple-A umpires working the plate during simulated games prior to the matchup.

“I think these last few days, grateful for the umpires that have come out here and helped us out in that regard,” he said. “I think it has been really valuable. It's sparked more conversation around it, but now to get to start applying it in games obviously will serve us well. It's important to get going.”

Under the new rules, pitchers will have 15 seconds to make a pitch when bases are empty and 20 seconds when runners are on. Failing to make a pitch within the allotted time results in an automatic ball. Also, hitters are now only allowed one timeout per plate appearance and must stay in the batter's box. The hitter must be alert at the eight-second mark of the pitch clock. Failing to do so results in an automatic strike for the hitter.

San Diego Padres star Manny Machado became the first player to commit a pitch clock violation in Friday's spring training game against the Seattle Mariners. Machado received an automatic strike because he was not set and facing the opposing pitcher in the batter's box when the clock

The third baseman was facing Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray when home plate umpire Ryan Blakney stopped play, pointed to his wrist and said “0-1” to indicate the new count. The six-time All-Star's left foot wasn't inside the batter's box when the pitch clock — located behind the batter and over the outfield wall — hit eight seconds, prompting Blakney to give the violation.

The violation didn't deter Machado as he hit a single later in the at-bat.

“I'm going to have to make a big adjustment. I might be 0-1 down a lot this year,” Machado said. “It's super fast. There's definitely going to be an adjustment period, but going down in the history books.” hit eight seconds.