After striking out on a pitch clock violation, Orioles 1B Pete Alonso argued HP Umpire John Tumpane's automatic strike call, claiming that because Diamondbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel wasn't looking at him at the timer's eight-second mark, he shouldn't be called for a batter violation for not looking at the pitcher. O's manager Craig Albernaz briefly discussed the call with Tumpane before returning to the dugout.
Let's clear up the pitch clock confusion.
When Major League Baseball introduced the pitch clock prior to the 2023 season, the league released a set of procedures outlining the pitcher, catcher, and batter's responsibilities. Because we are concerned with a timer-specific violation, let's review the timer-specific requirements:
At 9 seconds remaining on the timer, the catcher must be in the catcher's box.
At 8 seconds on the clock, the batter must be in the batter's box and alert to the pitcher.
Prior to 0 seconds on the clock, the pitcher must begin delivery (or disengage if there are runner(s)).
HP Umpire Tumpane called batter Alonso for failing to be alert to pitcher Ginkel at the eight-second mark, but Alonso's (and the Baltimore broadcasters') argument that he shouldn't have been called for a violation because pitcher Ginkel wasn't similarly alert to (or looking at) the batter doesn't have any basis in the pitch clock rules or procedures.
To be clear, the batter is required to be alert to the pitcher by eight seconds remaining on the clock, but the pitcher is not required to be alert to the batter: the pitcher's only obligation is to deliver the pitch (or disengage the rubber [e.g., attempt a pickoff] if there are runners) prior to the expiration of time.
The pitcher is not required to be alert to the batter at eight seconds; the batter is required to be alert to the pitcher at eight seconds, and thus, HP Umpire Tumpane called a batter violation when Alonso wasn't alert at eight seconds.
Video as follows:
