MLB tweaks pace of play rules set to take effect Friday

By foxsports
Published

NEW YORK (AP) Major League Baseball has tweaked its pace of play rules that take effect Friday, giving hitters and pitchers more leeway before imposing fines.

The new agreement between owners and players came as game times dropped to 2 hours, 54 minutes through April 29, down 8 minutes from the same period last year.

Under the previous deal, a series of warnings and fines would begin May 1 and be cumulative, carrying over throughout the month and leading to $500 fines for players who took too long.

Now, for the month of May, the penalties will reset and start over with each new series.

Players and owners may again revisit the pace of play regulations before June.