Zack Grienke throws eephus pitch to avoid pitch clock violation

The pitch clock rules state that a pitcher needs to have started the motion to deliver a pitch prior to the clock reaching zero. There are rules that place a hitter in the box at a reasonable time. The pitch time also changes depending upon if there are runners on base or not.

It appeared during the video that Greinke was having issues with the PitchCom system. With the pitch clock nearing zero, he elected to throw an eephus pitch rather than have an automatic ball be issued.

When the PitchCom system was working, Zack Greinke called off a pitch that he selected.

Throughout baseball history, catchers would relay signals to their pitchers that were “shake offs.” The goal of this was to keep the hitter guessing as to what pitch may be next. PitchCom allows pitchers to get their pitch called without a sign being laid down, so to see Greinke shake off his own pitch is hilarious.