The MLB made several new rule changes this season. They made the bases bigger, took the shift away and limited the amount of times you can pick off first base. The one rule that has made the biggest difference, and even had players and fans complaining about it, is the pitch clock.
The pitch clock rule is simple. If a pitcher takes over 15 seconds to throw a pitch with no one on base, then they have to surrender a ball. If a pitcher takes over 20 seconds to throw a pitch with someone on base, the same rule applies.
Baseball has also been known for its games taking up to several hours at a time. With the new pitch clock rule that was implemented at the beginning of spring training this season, games have been lasting an average of just two hours a game.
While making the games shorter, and having them also be more enjoyable to fans, there are many people who disagree with the rule. Many fans, who have been cheering on their favorite baseball teams their whole life and have a great amount of respect for the game, think that it takes the point away from baseball.
Pitching traditionally has been about taking your time, so that you can pitch at your pace, not the batter’s or a clock’s . As the season went on, however, the pitchers and batters both got used to it, and many can hardly notice it now.
“I like the pitch clock rule,” said John Raines, a GC pitcher. “Once you get used to the pitch clock, you can’t even notice that it’s even a real thing.”
As the playoffs approached, the question began to rise again, if the MLB should take the pitch clock away. These games are by far the most important, and every pitch matters. Fans are concerned that it could mess up a big game or ruin someone’s at-bat in a heated moment.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, The average time for a playoff game typically lasts 3 and a half hours. Previous years have been slower too, having the games averaging of lasting up to almost 4 hours long. Passan goes on to explain that players insisted on adding time to the clock to give the pitchers and batters more time with the “moment to feel bigger.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfield made the decision to ride the positive momentum, and let the pitch clock play out in the playoffs. With a whole season of players getting used to the pitch clocks, it should not be too much of a problem with players having to follow it during the postseason.
Along with the positive momentum heading into the postseason, the MLB has the numbers to back it up. According to CBS sports, The attendance has risen over 9.18% since last season, along with 23 of the 30 teams seeing an increase in TV viewers. It also states that this has been the highest it has been since 1998.
The reason for these attendance numbers going up is also from the new rules placed. According to Sports Illustrated, runs, batting average and stolen base attempts have all gone up compared to last season. Not only are the games faster, but there is more action in these games now too.
“I think the MLB is doing the right thing by keeping the pitch clock for the playoffs,” said Holden LaCour, a GC pitcher. “I think it’ll be good for TV numbers by making the games faster.”
