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Auburn

New SEC baseball guidelines implemented for the 2023 season

On3 imageby: Ellie Oldham02/14/23ellieoldham_
On3 image
Peter Aiken via Getty Images.

In attempt to decrease the length of games and increase fan experience, the Southeastern Conference implemented new rules for this upcoming baseball season.

The SEC game clock policies are a supplement to existing NCAA Playing Rules, which remain applicable.

The new “pace of play” initiatives are as follows:

— A 30-second timer between hitters: beginning at the end of the prior play. This is indicated by the umpire’s final signal or other clear indication that the play has concluded. Consistent with NCAA pitch clock protocols, the batter should be alert to the pitcher with 10+ seconds remaining. The pitcher then can begin motion to deliver the first pitch before the 30-second clock expires.

— A 30-second timer on a mount visit: Begins when a coach exits the dugout or when a positional player leaves their respective position to visit the pitcher’s mound. Unless the coach signals for a pitching change, the coach must leave the mount when the timer expires. Upon expiration of the 30-second clock, the 20-second NCAA pitch clock shall commence.

— A 2:30 timer on a pitching change: Begins when a new pitcher crosses the warning track or leaves their bullpen area, either at the start of an inning or as a part of a mid-inning pitching change. Upon the expiration of the 2:30 clock, the 20-second NCAA pitch clock shall commence.

— A 10-run rule for conference play: The contest shall stop after seven innings if a team is ahead by 10+ runs. In non-conference games, this rule can be implemented only with the consent of the coach of the non-conference opponent.

— Revision to inclement weather policy: General curfew policies on the final game of a conference series (Sundays) shall be waived if the visiting team does not have classes on the following day (Mondays). If the curfew is waived, no game may start after 10 p.m. local time or resume after midnight local time.

SEC Initiatives effecting Auburn

Most of these SEC guidelines are straight forward and should not effect Auburn in a negative way. If anything, the tempo should help this team perform better than before.

The main thing that sticks out is the inclement weather policy. If you remember back in the Auburn-Alabama series last season, Auburn won the first two games of the series. The teams were tied 1-1 on Sunday when a thunderstorm halted play in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Tigers had the bases loaded with just one out and were looking to take the lead.

In order for a game to be considered “complete,” either a full five innings has to be played or the home team has to be leading in the middle of the fifth. This series was after school got out for both teams, so nobody had school the next day. If this new policy were put in place, the game might have continued at some point. A third Auburn win to end that series would have locked their host title into place. (Yes, they were elected to host a regional regardless, but this game would have made it more certain.)

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