The Mexican baseball winter league -- the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP) -- won't be celebrating its Opening Day until later this year, but the league has announced some important rule changes to speed up its games, following the path set by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, of which LMP is an Associate Member.
LMP announced four new rules: the automatic intentional walk, limited visits to the mound, a pitch clock and a tie-breaker.
LMP stated that baseball organizations such as the WBSC and Major League Baseball are already enforcing similar regulations.
INTENTIONAL WALK
The pitcher won't need to throw four balls to issue an intentional walk. The managers will just need to signal from the dugout.
LIMIT TO THE VISITS TO THE MOUND
The limits have not been set yet.
PITCH CLOCK
The pitchers will have to deliver their offering within a set time. The exact time has not been announced yet.
TIE BREAKER
If the score is still tied after two extra innings, the teams will begin their at-bats with a runner at second.
Blockbuster Broadcast Deal
LMP also announced that all the games starting from the 2020-2021 season will be broadcast live and in HD across Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic, through a new partnership with media giant SKY.
"This deal will take our league where we deserve to be," commented LMP President Omar Canizales.
Photo courtesy of the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.
