After the thrilling conclusion of the 2023 World Baseball Basic — which was devoid of a pitch clock — apprehension over MLB’s newly carried out guidelines has solely grown with the method of Opening Day.
Showing on Friday’s episode of the “Wealthy Eisen Present,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred did his greatest to quell followers’ fears over the much-debated pitch clock, confirming the league is open to creating adjustments if wanted.
“Our toes will not be in stone with respect to the pitch clock,” Manfred stated. “We noticed it within the minor leagues, in spring coaching, we wish to see it in regular-season video games, significantly in conditions which can be high-leverage. I feel we’ll discuss what ought to occur in these conditions. I feel that we definitely have the capability to make changes on the fly.”
The pitch clock has already positively impacted the tempo of play in spring coaching, shortening recreation occasions, one of many inital targets of the rule change. Nevertheless, a number of contests have additionally ended on walk-off violations, which many dread occurring in a giant recreation or probably even the World Collection.
The unease over the pitch clock has appeared to choose up after this week’s WBC championship recreation, which resulted in a memorable battle between Los Angeles Angels teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
Their high-wire at-bat that will have been rife with violations if performed underneath main league guidelines. As a substitute of an unforgettable championship-clinching strikeout, a clock may need determined the result.
