Baseball's 12-second rule

Does anyone know when the clock actually starts?
Batter in the box? Pitcher get ball?
Anyone know this one for fact?

 

there's a 12-second rule?

 

http://www.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp

 

If they enforce it, every pitcher in MLB will be working like Tom Browning. That's a good thing.

 

I believe it used to be 20 seconds.

They ought to install an NBA-style clock behind home plate, and in center field.

Step up and pitch. Buzzer goes off, it's a ball.

Limit each batter and pitcher to ONE 5-second time out per at-bat.

Throw to first and the runner gets back standing up, that's a ball too.

 

That's the beauty of baseball. That there isn't a time clock like any of the other sports.


Of course, there are always the extreme cases where batters (Mike Hargrove) or pitchers (Rafael Betancourt) that this should be enforced. But, as a general rule, it's a bad idea.

 

If they could just do something about the unnecessary pitching changes during playoff games, I'd be happy.

 

I remember hearing Bill Veeck wanted to install a pitch clock but MLB stopped him.

 

I'm pretty sure it was Betancourt and Manny Ramirez last year that I actually timed the gap between pitches. Bear in mind, it was bases empty, and I think two outs in the seventh. It was something like 59 seconds. Infuriating.

 

"A 12-second rule. What are you talking about?"

 

Ah, Mr. Human Rain Delay his own self.

 

He did at one point, and the commissioner ordered it removed. Just because there's a rule on the books, no reason to enforce it. :

Also: Eliminate ALL warmup pitches for the second and any subsequent new pitchers in any one inning. They've been throwing in the bullpen, they should be ready to go.