J P Morosi: MLB and Union Making Progress on Pace of Play for 2015

[weams]

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/sources-mlb-players-union-making-progress-on-possible-pace-of-play-rule-tweaks-for-2015-021215?adbsc=mlb_b40428056&adbid=566018587471540224&adbpl=tw&adbpr=16877611

The players' union does not seem as concerned, but sources say the MLBPA is willing to work with MLB on minor changes. Both sides appear comfortable with resuming play as soon as television broadcasts return from commercial -- a concept that would not impact game play after each half-inning begins.

The MLB rulebook already includes regulations about staying in the batter's box between pitches and the amount of time it takes a pitcher to deliver the ball. However, that language likely would need to be altered to enable stricter enforcement.

For example, a comment to Rule 6.02(b) reads, in part: "The batter is not at liberty to step in and out of the batter's box at will . . . Umpires may grant a hitter's request for Time once he is in the batter?s box, but the umpire should eliminate hitters walking out of the batter?s box without reason. If umpires are not lenient, batters will understand that they are in the batter's box and they must remain there until the ball is pitched."

At present, though, MLB rules do not specifically mandate that the hitter keep one foot in the batter's box, as is the case in the minor leagues.