What Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said about new SEC baseball pace of play rules
Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin spoke about the SEC's new pace of play rules Tuesday.
That includes the 10-run rule, which ends games if one team is ahead by 10 or more runs after seven innings, as well as a 30-second clock between batters, requiring the batter to be ready for the pitch within 20 seconds, and a 30-second limit on mound visits.
"It doesn't matter what my thoughts are (on the run rule)," Corbin said. "So that's the way it is. Just got to make sure you're not losing by 10. ... I'm all for speeding the game up. But you know, there's been situations, too. In the past, we've been part of it. North Carolina State against Clemson (in 1995). We're down by 11, top of the ninth and rallied and came back and won with two outs. So, you know, nothing's ever over in baseball, but it is what it is."
The NCAA also has a new rule this year that MLB's new larger bases could be used for games in MLB ballparks if regular-sized bases were not available. Corbin said he wasn't sure if the bigger bases would be used during the team's opening tournament at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, but that the team is prepared if they are.
Overall, Corbin said the timer between at-bats would have less of an impact on pitchers than hitters due to the 20-second pitch clock that was instituted in 2020.
"I think the pitcher, once he gets to the mound, that's been in play for two years. I think the hitter staying in the batter's box with 10 seconds, yeah. That's come up once in the scrimmage. I'm glad it did. Because we were penalized with two strikes, so it took the hitter away from his bat. But ... I think once it's in play and once you start playing with it over time, I think it all comes together. I don't think it's a big issue."
Corbin said he felt some of the new rules in MLB, such as bigger bases and a limit on pickoff throws, could come to college baseball soon.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin talks SEC's new run rule