# Penalties in MLB **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 23, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415 "2018-02-23T16:47:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mrdeals](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Mrdeals](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrdeals)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/1 "2018-02-23T16:47:16Z")
I am hearing a lot about a possible implementation of a pitch clock in the MLB. However I haven’t heard anyone say what the consequence would be for a violation. I’m also struggling to think how a baseball team would be penalized. It seems like adding or subtracting points would be too severe as baseball is generally low scoring. Added strikes? Outs? ---
**Author:** ![aktep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@aktep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aktep)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/2 "2018-02-23T16:49:20Z")
In most cases where one is used, a pitch clock violation results in a ball. (ETA: Or strike, if the violation is on the batter) ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/3 "2018-02-23T16:49:48Z")
I think it would be adding balls to the pitch count, rather than anything larger than that. But it won’t be implemented this season regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/4 "2018-02-23T16:50:48Z")
> [@aktep](#): > > In most cases where one is used, a pitch clock violation results in a ball. Yes. [Cite: Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_clock) ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/5 "2018-02-23T17:46:52Z")
It should be fifteen yards, just like the big penalties in football. The pitcher should have to throw from a spot near second base for the rest of the inning; if it’s the batter who takes too much time, he should have to bat 15 feet 6 inches away from the pitching rubber. ---
**Author:** ![K364](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k364/32/5_2.png) [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/6 "2018-02-23T19:41:53Z")
Or, as in hockey: two minutes in the Sin Bin ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/7 "2018-02-23T19:52:12Z")
> [@K364](#): > > Or, as in hockey: two minutes in the Sin Bin That will just cause more penalties! ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/penalties-in-mlb/809415/8 "2018-02-23T19:59:11Z")
The Big 12 is using a 15-second pitch clock in conference play this season. The way I am reading the rule, if the time runs out, it is a ball unless the batter was not in either batter’s box, and the pitcher was on the rubber, when the clocked reached 5, in which case it is a strike. (If neither one is in position, it is a ball.)