How does the pitch timer work?

Question

Accepted Answer

MLB introduced the pitch timer in 2023 to speed up play, after several years of testing in the minor leagues:

Between batters: 30 seconds.
Between pitches, bases empty: 15 seconds.
Between pitches, runners on base: 18 seconds (cut from 20 seconds starting in 2024).

The pitcher must begin his motion to deliver the pitch before the timer expires. Mound visits, injury timeouts and offensive team timeouts do not count against the pitcher's disengagement limit.

Note: the printed Rule 5.07(c) in the 2026 Official Baseball Rules still says a pitcher must deliver within 12 seconds with the bases unoccupied. The 15, 18 and 30 second figures above are the ones MLB gives on its pitch timer page.

Sources: MLB, Pitch Timer (mlb.com/glossary/rules/pitch-timer); 2026 Official Baseball Rules, Rule 5.07(c).