Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced that the pace of play committee is planning to test a series of rules during the Arizona Fall League. That begins on October 7.
Here is a look at some of the rules to be tested in the Fall League:
Batter's box rule
The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout his at-bat, unless one of a series of established exceptions occurs, in which case the batter may leave the batter's box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate.
No-pitch intentional walks
In the event a team decides to intentionally walk a batter, no pitches shall be thrown.
20-second rule
Requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied. The penalty prescribed by Rule 8.04 for a pitcher's violation of the Rule is that the umpire shall call "Ball."
2:05 inning-break clock
There shall be a maximum 2:05 break between innings. Hitters must enter the batter's box by the 1:45 mark. When batters violate this rule, the Umpire may call an automatic strike. When batters are set by the appropriate time and pitchers fail to throw a pitch before the conclusion of the 2:05 period, the Umpire shall call a ball.
2:30 pitching change break clock
There shall be a maximum 2:30 break for pitching changes, including pitching changes that occur during an inning break. The first pitch must be thrown before the conclusion of the 2:30 period or the umpire shall call a ball.
Three "time out" limit
Each team shall be permitted only three "Time Out" conferences per game (including extra innings). Such conferences shall include player conferences with the pitcher (including the catcher), manager or coach conferences with the pitcher, and coach conferences with a batter.
Selig is planing to talk with coaches, umpires, players and other contributors to determine which rules will be put into play at the MLB level.