WCBL adopts new pace of play rules

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on December 13, 2024.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The Western Canadian Baseball League has implemented rules with a focus on speeding up the game.

The WCBL announced two new pace of play rules, enacted at the WCBL board of governors annual meetings, which were held in Saskatoon on Dec. 6 and 7.

Following along the precedent set by Major League baseball, starting in the summer of 2025 teams will be limited to six mound visits per game over the course of nine innings, with an additional visit provided to each team for every extra inning played.

The league has also adapted a three-batter minimum rule, requiring each pitcher to face at least three batters or end a half-inning before a pitching change can be made.

If the half-inning ends and the pitcher returns, they must fulfill the three-batter requirement when they take the mound the following inning.

According to a media release Thursday, the average WCBL game during the 2024 regular season lasted two hours and 45 minutes, with a few contests stretching over four hours in length.

In addition, WCBL governors also chose to increase each team’s active roster from 30 to 32 players, which brings a full roster to 40 including eight affiliate players for use in regular season and postseason games.

WCBL rosters must be submitted by May 24 and final changes must be handed in by July 25 each season.

Previously, the final roster deadline was July 20.

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