Jim Schlossnagle shares how pace of play rule helps pitchers

Texas A&M head coach Jim Schlossnagle has had his pitchers working hard to get used to the 20 second pitch clock in college baseball this season. One of the reasons why is that he thinks it will be a big benefit towards the pitchers who can keep up a good pace.

By forcing the batter to be ready early, Schlossnagle explained, he is forcing the action in general.

“100% benefits the pitcher,” Schlossnagle said. “A lot of it depends on the umpire because it’s a 20 second clock. The hitter has to be ready at 10 seconds. So if the pitcher is forcing the action, and the umpire doesn’t allow the hitter — the first 10 seconds is for the hitter. So if the pitcher is ready to go at 16 and he starts but the hitter is not ready, then the umpire has to slow him down. What we’ve seen in practice, at least sometimes, umpires they’re trying to get the game over with too and so it’s going to be an interesting little battle. It’s going to be a little interesting thing between how umpires apply the rules. How many of these teams have practiced it the way we have? We’re using the electronic system to get the pitches. Right now on defense, our pitchers are moving at record pace, which puts pressure on the hitter to get ready. Ut remains to be seen but it’s gonna be interesting.”

Jim Schlossnagle names starting rotation to start the season

Jim Schlossnagle named his starting rotation for the first week of the season as junior right-hander pitcher Nathan Dettmer on Friday, transfer southpaw Troy Wansing on Saturday and sophomore righty Chris Cortez on Sunday.

“Right now the rotation is going to be Dettmer, Wanting and Cortez in that order,” Schlossnagle said on Wednesday. “Remains to be seen on what we’ll do next Tuesday and just to get through the weekend, and win them one at a time that way and see who’s leftover. But then from a lineup standpoint, I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do and you’ll find out Friday night.”

Wansing is a major transfer pickup fro the Aggies, and Schlossnagle said he brings good command and speed from the left side of the mount.

“Well, I mean, left handed pitching, I don’t know if it’s the rotation of the earth but it’s something strike throwers that are left handed seem to get outs,” Schlossnagle said. “Troy had a nice season at Purdue last year. He’s changed his body significantly, he’s refined his pitches.”