Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Even Major League Baseball umpires are adjusting to the new rules.
On opening day Thursday, the umpires called a strike against the New York Mets' Jeff McNeil because of a runner on first. The umps initially ruled Pete Alonso did not get back to first base in time after a pitch.
That put McNeil in an 0-2 hole despite only one pitch being thrown. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Manager Buck Showalter of the New York Mets talks with home plate umpire Paul Emmel bout a call during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins June 24, 2022, in Miami, Fla. (Eric Espada/Getty Images) However, manager Buck Showalter said Friday the umps made a mistake, and a strike should not have been called.
Under the new rules, pitchers have 15 seconds to deliver a pitch, 20 with one or more runners on base. Batters have eight seconds to be "alert" in the batter's box.