Scherzer tests pitch clock limits and commits denial

Max Scherzer speculated that the new pitching clock will allow pitchers to dictate the pace of games.

But in the opinion of a referee, Scherzer was too fast on Friday, even within the parameters of said clock.

Scherzer tested the limits of baseball’s new pace of play rules in his second preseason start. He tried several unusual tactics to surprise Washington Nationals hitters in Friday’s game.

For example, he started throwing to Victor Robles just as referee Jeremy Riggs started the countdown on the clock again.

Riggs sanctioned him with a refusal.

“It takes time, I’m ready, I get the green light,” Scherzer said. “I think it was clean ground, but he said no. You have to know where the limit is”.

The pitch clock in the majors has allowed pitchers and batters to learn a whole new rhythm this spring. Players have 30 seconds to resume action between each time at bat.

Between each pitch, pitchers have 15 seconds without men on bases and 20 seconds when there are any.

Batters must be in the box and alert the pitcher when there are at least eight seconds left on the clock. They can only request one break per turn.

Some adapt and try to take advantage of the rules more quickly than others.

Wandy Peralta of the New York Yankees did his job with such speed on an at-bat in Thursday’s game that he batted out three pitches in just 20 seconds.

Scherzer experimented with some strategies on Friday.

With no runners on the track and two strikeouts against Riley Adams in the third inning, Scherzer froze on the mound and allowed the clock to reach seven seconds before Adams called a timeout. .

On the next pitch, Scherzer took a ready position as the 20-second count began. Adams eventually entered the box with 11 remaining. Scherzer immediately kicked.

Adams swung and fanned a fastball at 96 mph.

“You can tell they expected me to work fast today. They can use that work to their advantage whether they’re speeding up the game or slowing it down,” Scherzer said.

Not all experiments worked. The star not only hesitated, but a double play was called off when referees determined he had allowed time to elapse before beginning his throwing motion.