The installation of a pitch clock is one of many changes coming for MLB after the lockout is over.
Other changes that were approved were banning the shift and having larger bases.
These changes will go into effect in 2023.
They were a key point in the Players Union’s latest proposal on Sunday.
There has been talk of using robot umpires, but the union has yet to approve that.
Former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling shared his thoughts on the implementation of the pitch clock, stating that this would be a change for good in the game, and that pitchers should not take long to deliver their pitch.
If a pitch clock actually affects you you're likely not a consistently good pitcher. Tempo is a weapon and you get far FAR better defense behind you working quick. On no planet should it take you 15 seconds from stepping on the rubber to throw the next pitch
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) March 7, 2022
Would It Help?
There are a number of ways to look at this.
On one hand, there will be people who say baseball shouldn’t have any sort of clock involved, and that what makes the game great is not having to worry about a clock like other sports do.
But on the other hand, and to Schilling’s point, the game has been slowing down progressively over the years, and a pitch clock could help speed the game up a little bit and get fans invested in baseball again.
Schilling is correct that pitchers shouldn’t take long to deliver their pitches, and that is something that has slowed the game down.
Often times, pitchers will throw over to first base in a pickoff attempt, or even step off the mound for a time.
Things such as that slow the game down significantly, and don’t do anything to help drive fans back to the game.
Baseball needs to accelerate and adapt, and if it can’t do that, then there is little to no chance that it will ever have the same effect on fans as it once did.
Leave a Reply