2023 rule changes, unintended consequences

[FrankWakefield]

I don't really KNOW what I'm about to post about (not a first).

The new rules... a few unintended consequences have crossed my mind. First one I would like to hear thoughts on is the pitch clock.

From my prejudiced, incorrect Old Times were better perspective, Bob Gibson would have no trouble pitching with the clock change. Lots of pitchers in the 60s could work quickly. Sometimes, when listening to the radio, when the radio break was 60 seconds, I recall there were pitchers that would already be a pitch or two into the first batter before the commercial break was over. The announcer would say what the first two pitches were as the third pitch was happening. Those were the days of games occasionally being complete under 2 hours. NOT TRUE with many modern pictures. As a Cardinals fan, I've agonized as Giovanny Gallegos would tentatively stand on the mound between pitches.... Players on the field with Bob Gibson would have to be alert, because Gibson was pitching, constantly. Jim Kaat worked quickly later in his career.


https://www.net54baseball.com/attach...1&d=1680270179

The Cardinal's hurler, who pitches a glacier-like frequency. 'cause a thread needs a card.

These modern pitchers have gotten accustomed to having their own amount of time to get ready between pitches. Thoughts: Might delivering a pitch with greater frequency reduce the possible velocity that could have been placed on the pitch? Will pitch count for a starter go down because he now can't take as long to catch his breath, relax his arm, then start his windup?

So, my first question:

Most 2023 pitchers have learned to pitch at their own pace, will the pitch clock rules result in some injured arms because a pitcher's pitch frequency and pattern has changed?

[Leon]

I think pitchers will get used to the clock over time and it won't affect them too greatly. I pitched as a youngster and think I could adapt. Making the games be a bit shorter isn't a bad thing. That all said, it doesn't matter much to me as I don't watch MLB or keep up with it.
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[mrreality68]

I think the pitch clock over time will be good for the game but when a strike is called on a player(Mets/Miami game) for a player getting back to first base to late then seems odd. Punishing a player for the actions of another player

And also striking out with a pitch thrown because of the batter not engaging in time seems odd (forgot which team that was)

[BobbyStrawberry]

I'm sure all will get used to it but the 15 seconds still seems too rushed to me. I wish they would have increased it to 20-30 even with the bases empty.

[stlcardsfan]

I went to the Cardinals and Blue Jays game yesterday and they still managed to exceed 3 1/2 hours for a 9 inning game. Admittedly, it wasn't a very pretty game. 10-9 with tons of pitching changes.

However, the game moved noticeably quicker when there was action going on in the field. Which I and everyone seemed to enjoy.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by stlcardsfan

I went to the Cardinals and Blue Jays game yesterday and they still managed to exceed 3 1/2 hours for a 9 inning game. Admittedly, it wasn't a very pretty game. 10-9 with tons of pitching changes.

However, the game moved noticeably quicker when there was action going on in the field. Which I and everyone seemed to enjoy.

I am taking a wait and see on the clock, but honestly do like it to this point. As to the latter statement, that is where I would like a bit of a change.

To see less pitching changes would help my enjoyment. Something like a minimum batters faced requirement or a per game limit for changes.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by stlcardsfan

I went to the Cardinals and Blue Jays game yesterday and they still managed to exceed 3 1/2 hours for a 9 inning game. Admittedly, it wasn't a very pretty game. 10-9 with tons of pitching changes.

However, the game moved noticeably quicker when there was action going on in the field. Which I and everyone seemed to enjoy.

To be fair, that game had 30+ hits and a strike zone the size of a grapefruit. I enjoyed it. 10/12 games clocked in under 3 hours and the late games were over at decent time. If the STL/TOR game would have been played last year it probably would have pushed 5 hours.

[Jim65]

The players are professionals and this is their job. They will adapt just like every person is forced to do when their jobs have rules. There will be a learning curve like Pete Alonso casually strolling back to first after a foul ball. The game will be better for it in the long run.

[mainemule]

Originally Posted by mrreality68

I think the pitch clock over time will be good for the game but when a strike is called on a player(Mets/Miami game) for a player getting back to first base to late then seems odd. Punishing a player for the actions of another player

And also striking out with a pitch thrown because of the batter not engaging in time seems odd (forgot which team that was)

It was Devers, I was there, and it was BS.....CANNOT have that happen because of 1-2 seconds. Both he and pitcher were engaged but clock went below 8 seconds and Devers needed to be looking at the pitcher. It's a crappy rule that needs to be tweaked.

[kmac32]

The pitch clock definitely shortens the game and may lead to more DWI arrests as if you have to drink the same number of beers in a shorte time, then there will be more drunk drivers. Also the beer vendors will make less as fewer beers can be consumed in 2 hours. Bet MLB didn’t consider these facts.

[brass_rat]

I knew I would like the pitch clock, but I didn't realize I would love it as much as I do. Games were just becoming unwatchable with all of the stalling...

Now if they would only get rid of replay challenges or at least penalize unsuccessful challenges, that would be great.

My guess is that teams had pitchers doing a while lot more tabata with their workouts over the off-season to help reduce their recovery times between pitches. That, plus going max effort less frequently during the game. I wouldn't be surprised if pitcher injuries actually drop in a couple of years once they learn how to pitch instead of just throwing hard...

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by kmac32

The pitch clock definitely shortens the game and may lead to more DWI arrests as if you have to drink the same number of beers in a shorte time, then there will be more drunk drivers.

I've read that a couple of teams are already either delaying last call by an inning, or eliminating it altogether.

Not good.

Last call is an issue of public safety. If someone gets killed by a drunken driver and it can be proven the driver was at a game where last call was delayed or removed, you can bet the team will be named as a defendant in the wrongful death lawsuit.