The pitch clock that MLB is implementing starting from 2023 is bringing in a lot of controversy with it.
Pitchers are violating the clock because they don’t see the batter “set” to hit, and hitters still unnecessarily walk around the plate between pitches and aren’t ready in time.
Some pitchers are trying to take advantage of the confusion by hitters and start their delivery way too quickly, even before the hitter is reasonably set to see the pitch.
The league is interfering to make sure this doesn’t happen.
“MLB sent a memo to Clubs last night clarifying that umpires will call a quick pitch if the pitcher delivers the ball before the batter is ‘reasonably set’ in the batter’s box (i.e., timing the hitter’s eyes looking up),” MLB insider Mark Feinsand tweeted.
MLB sent a memo to Clubs last night clarifying that umpires will call a quick pitch if the pitcher delivers the ball before the batter is "reasonably set" in the batter's box (i.e., timing the hitter's eyes looking up). (1/2)
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) March 4, 2023
Per the new rule, the hitter has until the eight-second mark to be alert to the pitch.
If he is alert before that, then the pitcher can start his motion even if the clock hasn’t hit eight seconds.
But if he isn’t ready to see the pitch and the hurler starts his delivery, a ball will be added to the count if there are no runners on base, and if there are, a balk will be called.
It’s part of the new set of adjustments that pitchers will need to get used to.
It hasn’t been an easy process, but a time will come in which they will catch up with the new way of playing.
We are hoping it happens soon.
There is still a lot of confusion, though, and that will likely be the case for a few more weeks.
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