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The days of actually throwing four pitches for an intentional walk are reportedly over in Major League Baseball.
On Tuesday, Howard Bryant of ESPN The Magazine reported MLB approved the use of a dugout signal instead of the traditional four-pitch walk when a manager wants to give an opposing batter first base, starting in the 2017 season.
Bryant noted there was only an intentional walk every 2.4 games during the 2016 campaign.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale confirmed the news and added that in addition to pitchers being able to signal for intentional walks, there are "plans for a two-minute limit this year for instant replay reviews" and "pace of game warnings and fines" will be instituted.