MiLB announces changes to quicken pace of play

Minor League Baseball announced rule and procedure changes aimed at reducing the length of extra-inning games and the number of mound visits during a game throughout Minor League Baseball. In addition, the Triple-A level will use a 15-second pitch clock with no runners on base.

At all levels of Minor League Baseball, extra innings will begin with a runner on second base. The runner at second base will be the player in the batting order position previous to the leadoff batter of the inning.
The procedures, created in partnership with Major League Baseball, aim to reduce the number of pitchers used in extra innings and the issues created by extra innings games.
Visits by coaches and position players will be limited to six (6) visits per team. These mound visit limits will apply whether the game is scheduled for seven or nine innings. For any extra-innings played, each club shall be entitled to one additional non-pitching change mound visit per inning.
A manager or coach trip to the mound to meet with the pitcher shall constitute a visit. A player leaving his position to confer with the pitcher, including a pitcher leaving the mound to confer with another player, shall also constitute a mound visit, regardless of where the visit occurs or the length of the visit.
Pitchers at the Triple-A level will be allowed 15 seconds to begin their wind-up or the motion to come to the set position when no runners are on base. The pitcher does not necessarily have to release the ball within 15 seconds, but must begin his wind-up or begin the motion to come to the set position to comply with the 15-second rule with no runners on base.
With runners on base, the pitch timer will go from 15 to 20 seconds.
Games played between April 5-19 will serve as a grace period, with players receiving warnings for infractions. Beginning April 20, rules will be enforced as written.