Among the three rules MLB wants to expedite, the shift ban and the pitch clock have been the most controversial.
The league wants a 14-second pitch clock when the bases are empty and a 19-second clock with runners on base.
This, for pitchers, could be a significant trade, because many hurlers are used to taking their time between pitches to fight the jitters off or find focus.
Whether there is a need to make games shorter on average is a discussion for another day, but MLB seems fixated on the idea and the Players Association approved a faster move towards this particular rule.
Former major league player Will Middlebrooks is not a fan of the current time proposals by the league.
“MLB wants a 14 second pitch clock with no one on base and 19 seconds with runners on… Just have a 25 second clock all around and that’s VERY doable for everyone,” he said via Twitter.
MLB wants a 14 second pitch clock with no one on base and 19 seconds with runners on… 😂 Just have a 25 second clock all around and that’s VERY doable for everyone.
— Will Middlebrooks (@middlebrooks) March 6, 2022
A Pitch Clock Certainly Makes Things Different
To clarify, if a pitcher exceeds the time limit to deliver his pitch, the punishment is a ball, so while is not too harsh, it’s obviously an unwanted outcome.
However, not every pitcher is used to working as fast, and in some cases, it could affect their command and control.
It’s certainly something they will need to adjust when the time is due, but 14 seconds between pitches does seem like a short time.
Pace of play has been a problem for the league for a long time, and sure enough, some fans have complained that some games are too long.
And sure, games are a lot longer now than, say, 25 years ago.
However, the pitch clock is not an easy change on pitcher, and it will require some time to settle in in many cases.
NEXT: MLB Owners And Players Remain Far Apart On Two Points