By: Katie Beth Haidet
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The SEC implemented a new pitch clock rule to start the 2023 season.
Pitchers now have 20 seconds to get rid of the ball from the moment they receive it and both feet have to be on the pitching mound.
The coaches say the rule change was made to allow sports broadcasting channels to directly schedule 3 hours per baseball game.
One Arkansas pitcher, Austin Ledbetter says he has less time to regroup before each pitch.
“Before the rule, you wouldn’t have to think about throwing a pitch on time, you could step off and take a breath or do something like that now you can’t,” said Ledbetter.
The coaches are working to re-script their bullpen to practice the new adjustment.
They have segments in their bullpen that allow each player to see when the clock starts running.
Zach Barr, Director of Video and Scouting, says this new regulation just adds another worry to the pitchers on the mound.
“There’s a lot to process out there as a pitcher, especially a young guy, where are the runners, who is the runner, what am I trying to do with this guy at the plate, is a guy at 2nd base a base stealer,” says Barr.
Some coaches say the quickness of the game has a chance to impact their ability to not dwell on the chaos.
“The good part about it, if there is a positive, is it is forcing guys to move on with success or failure whatever that might be,” says Barr.
With the rule being implemented for only two weeks, pitchers say it is hard to tell how much it will affect the season.
“It’s honestly so new that you can’t really critique it, but you just have to kinda go with it,” says Ledbetter.
Arkansas baseball will resume on Wednesday in Baum Walker Stadium.