Red Sox-Braves spring training game ends in tie due to pitch clock violation

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Spring training games ending in ties are not uncommon because managers don't want to use up pitchers in extra innings in February. But history was made in Saturday's Grapefruit League tie between the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves.

It's every ballplayer's dream (maybe not in spring training, but you get it): bases loaded, two outs, full count, tie game. However, the Braves' Cal Conley struck out without even seeing a pitch on a 3-2 count to end the game.

How? 

He wasn't set in the batter's box in time.

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A view of the scoreboard at CoolToday Park prior to a Grapefruit League press conference Feb. 16, 2020, in North Port, Fla. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

New MLB rules give pitchers 20 seconds to deliver a pitch with runners on base. But batters have just eight seconds, whether there are base runners or not, to get set. If pitchers do not oblige, a ball is called. If hitters don't, it's a strike. Since Conley was not ready, strike three was called, and the game ended in a tie after nine innings. 

While tightening the pace of play is necessary for the sport, doing so at the expense of the literal ending of the game might be just a stretch.

Manny Machado became the first victim of the pitch clock rules Friday. He was not set in time and immediately fell into an 0-1 hole.

"I'm gonna have to make a big adjustment. I might be 0-1 down a lot this year," Machado said afterward. "It's super fast. There's definitely an adjustment it's gonna be."

PADRES' MANNY MACHADO BECOMES FIRST VICTIM OF MLB'S NEW PITCH CLOCK

The changes come after test drives in the minor leagues,