WATCH: LSU baseball wins in bizarre fashion as new rule, clock violation records final out
The LSU baseball team secured a walk-off win in one of the most improbable fashions… or maybe not in 2023. The Tigers won via clock violation in the final at-bat for Kansas State.
With the batter facing a 1-2 count and two outs, the home plate umpire paused the action and then signaled a time violation, adding a third strike to record the final out in a 7-3 LSU win.
That’s it. All she wrote. You can watch it below.
The new clock violation rule is certain to create some controversy early in the year as pitchers and batters alike adjust to it, and Friday’s result might provide one of the more extreme examples.
Below are some primers on the new rule.
For the batter’s clock a 30-second timer between hitters will start at the conclusion of the prior play as indicated by the umpire’s final signal of “safe” or “out”, or other clear indication that the prior play has concluded.
The mound visit clock is a 30-second timer that will begin when a coach exits the dugout or when a defensive player leaves their position to visit the pitcher’s mound. Unless the coach signals for a pitching change, the coach must leave the mound when (or before) the timer expires.
The mound visit clock shall not operate when a doctor or trainer accompanies a coach to evaluate a medical issue. Upon expiration of the 30-second clock, the 20-second NCAA pitch clock shall commence.
For the pitcher-change clock, a 2-minute and 30-second timer will begin when a new pitcher enters the game either at the start of an inning or as part of a mid-inning pitching change, crosses the warning track. Once that timer expires the 20-second NCAA pitch clock will begin.
Not everyone is a fan of the changes, which are designed to speed up the game.
Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco is one college coach who has commented on the clock violation rule already.
“I think it’s really a thrust for all of baseball, professionally and college baseball to try and make the game faster” Bianco said. “More digestible for TV and TV slots for fans. Yes, I think you’ll have some purists out there that probably don’t like clocks and they’re okay with watching a three-and-a-half hour game. I think the goal and the hope that people will understand they’re trying to make the game a little faster without effecting the game and in doing so you will effect the game. There will be some balls called and it will take some time for fans to learn what that clock means.”