Feb. 21--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton declared himself "not a big fan" of the new initiatives designed to speed up the pace of play, which were announced by Major League Baseball on Friday.
Among the changes announced for the 2015 season are that umpires will enforce Rule 6.02(d) that requires batters to keep one foot in the box during an at-bat, but for some exceptions. The rule was used in the minor leagues last year.
Timers will also be used to make sure games resume in a timely fashion following inning breaks and pitching changes. And managers will be allowed to stay in the dugout to initiate challenges.
Eaton said some of the changes might take away from what he called "a thinking man's game."
"I'd hate in the World Series that we're trying to figure out what to pitch in a 3-2 count with the bases loaded and, 'Oh man, the time clock is too much,'" Eaton said. "What is the game going to come to? ... But that's my opinion. I just work here and whatever the boss says is what I'll go by."
Sox left-hander Chris Sale, however, didn't share Eaton's distaste for the rules.
"I like it -- get the ball and throw it," Sale said. "This is a culture and generation of right now. People don't feel like sitting through four-hour games. We are not too fond of them either. Anything to pick up the pace and get it going will be good."
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