Although the 15-second bases-empty pitch clock and
30-second between-batters pitch clock will remain the same in 2024, MLB
will reduce the runners-on-base limit by two seconds, from 2023's mark
of 20-seconds to 18seconds in
2024. Furthermore, the pitch timer following foul balls or other dead
ball situations will now begin upon the pitcher receiving the new
baseball as opposed to 2023's start of the pitcher entering the dirt
circle or mound area.
Mound Visit Limit
In 2023, teams were permitted five mound visits per
game before being compelled to remove a pitcher for any subsequent visit
exceeding this allotment. Umpires had discretion late in games to allow a
mound visit without requiring the pitcher's removal. In 2024, teams will be
allowed four mound visits until the 9th inning, when umpires may
afford teams an additional visit without the must-remove-pitcher penalty.
Pitcher Minimum
In addition to the existing three-batter minimum rule for pitchers, 2024
will now require any pitcher who warms up on the field prior to an inning to
face at least one batter (three for any pitcher newly into the game). This
will prevent managers from executing pitching changes
after warmups but before the first batter of the new inning.
Runner's Lane
Due to a flurry of runner's interference incidents, MLB
will expand the runner's lane in 2024 to include the entirety of the dirt
path between home plate and first base in fair territory, in addition to the
existing three-foot wide lane in foul territory during the latter half of
the distance to first base. This expansion effectively means runners may run
to first base without penalty in fair territory, provided that both feet
remain on or touching the dirt. A runner will be deemed legal if half
of their foot is on the dirt and half on the infield grass in fair
territory.
