It’s only been in use in spring training games for a few days, but MLB’s new pitch clock is already causing a lot of criticism.
The pitch clock, which was implemented as part of a comprehensive package of rule changes for the 2023 season, is intended to accelerate play and provide a more streamlined product on the diamond.
Pitchers have 15 seconds between pitches when the bases are empty and 20 seconds when there are runners on base, according to the regulations.
As predicted, MLB players have taken some time to adjust to the new directives.
As Jayson Stark of The Athletic reported on Monday morning, there have already been 69 time infractions in the 35 spring training games played under the new rules. There were 35 violations in just 16 games on Sunday, with pitchers committing 27 of them.
However, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has not been particularly concerned about the league’s new time-imposed restrictions. Despite the fact that many players may face a learning curve, Cora believes that the new brevity will allow baseball to appeal to younger audiences.
“It’s been fantastic. “I enjoy it, to be honest,” Cora stated in Fort Myers. “Why am I saying that?” Because I want to be home sooner rather than later. I believe it is a better product for the fans. I can tell you this based on my children’s current activities: soccer, baseball, and gymnastics. And the order is 1A, 1B, and 3? It is baseball. And they love it. They like it. But they take ground balls, and you have to walk to the back of the line, which takes forever.
“I hate to say this because I want them to enjoy the game. They love it. But I’d love for them to play it. But this is where we are, and there are more enjoyable activities available. Because there is no dead time. Soccer practice is constant. The speed has been incredible. Obviously, there are a few things that we still need to work on, and we have another 27 days or so to get there. But for the game, where do we want to go? There is no doubt about that. “This is the proper thing.”
So far, the pitch clock has had an influence on the first few spring training games.
Stark tweeted on Monday that the average game time in spring training games over the weekend was 2:39. Last spring, games averaged 3:01, which is a 22-minute decrease this year.
