A’s use spring to adjust to pace-of-play rules
MESA, Ariz. - Spring training this year comes with a new wrinkle: Teams are trying to incorporate the new pace-of-play rules announced earlier this month, experimenting with how to approach mound visits and trying to hustle runners up to the plate.
A’s manager Bob Melvin had some initial concerns about limiting non-pitching change mound visits to six per game, but he has experimented with early visits to the mound this spring to see how it goes - and he’s less apprehensive about the rule.
“Early on, first couple of games you’re thinking, ‘Now we’ve got to be careful with these mound visits.