With one out and none on in the bottom of the 1st inning, Machado failed to appear in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher (ready for the pitch) with eight seconds remaining in the pitch clock countdown timer, which is the new rule's requirement. As a result, Blakney called "Time" and awarded an automatic strike, making the count 0-1. The at-bat continued in short order with Machado getting a base hit.
To review, the 2023 Pitch Clock rules for Major League Baseball are:
30-second timer will be used between batters;
20-second timer will be used between pitches with runners on base;
15-second timer will be used between pitches with zero runners on base.
The clock begins when the umpire declares "Play", the pitcher receives the ball (if time is already in), or the prior play concludes (as applicable).
The batter must be ready to go (in the box and alert to the pitcher) at the eight-second mark.
The pitcher must be ready to go (the pitching motion must begin) by the zero-second expiration of time.
Batter violation penalty: Automatic Strike / Pitcher violation penalty: Automatic ball.
Penalty for Arguing: Ejection.
