March 04--MESA, Ariz. -- Major League Baseball officials Joe Garagiola Jr. and Steve Palermo met Wednesday morning with the Chicago Cubs' staff to discuss new pace of game rules.
Manager Joe Maddon was appreciative of the concise presentation and said he would support the changes designed at accelerating the pace of the game, which include a pitcher throwing his last warm-up pitch no more than 30 seconds before the inning starts and a batter entering the box between 20 and five seconds before the first pitch is thrown.
Maddon believe the biggest issue would involve batters keeping one foot in the box between each pitch, with few exceptions.
"I will try to understand the pace of game and how it relates to young people wanting to become more of a baseball fan," Maddon said. "I'm trying to understand that completely. But whatever the group wants to do, I'm definitely on board."
Cubs outfield prospect Albert Almora said the new rules won't affect him.
"I'm here to play baseball," Almora said. "Whatever rules they put in, I'll do whatever. I'm here to play."
