Why did the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani get extra time to warm up for Game 7?

Fans at the Rogers Centre in Toronto might have noticed that Shohei Ohtani was not assessed a penalty when he delivered his first pitch to George Springer in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday after the pitch clock expired.

Ohtani, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, ended the top of the first inning on third base, then had to shift to the mound.

Even though Major League Baseball has rules in place limiting the amount of time players have to get ready between innings, in order to speed up the game, the umpires on the field acted within the rules to give Ohtani more time to warm up on Saturday.

In September 2022, MLB announced three pitch clock rule changes that were approved by the league’s competition committee. The pitch clock was turned off for Ohtani between the top and the bottom of the first inning.

According to the league, umpires “may provide extra time if warranted by special circumstances.”

MLB.com additionally provides the example of a catcher thrown out on the bases to end the previous half-inning who needed additional time to put on his catching gear, noting “the umpire could allow it.”

Ohtani is the only full-time two-way player in baseball. The Dodgers’ leadoff hitter and starting pitcher in Game 7 needed more time, and the umpires granted it.

More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.