The introduction of the MLB pitch clock was a huge hit this season, cutting game time by several minutes with just a few glitches. However, the league’s players want a change when the playoffs begin.
Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association, told reporters Tuesday before the 2023 MLB All-Star Game that players don’t want to do away with the pitch clock in the postseason like the league is doing with the ghost runner for extra innings, but she would like to have some more time during the games.
He pointed out that the players reported this to the league office.
From the Washington Post:
“The players who were on the field committee and who were new to the field committee have been consistent in that regard,” Clark said, adding that he was “hopeful” that MLB could make “adjustments” to the pitch clock, which means that a few extra seconds – rather than doing away with the clock entirely in October – would be a palatable solution. He said the union had “explained” its proposals to MLB and was glad the “lines of communication were open.”
The idea was presented to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who opposed it, citing a desire to play playoff games the same way regular-season games were played, noting that the rate of pitch clock violations was falling within of acceptable standards.
From The Athletic:
“Of course we don’t want a postseason game to be decided because of an infringement,” Manfred said. “I understand it’s a possibility. When it comes to taking action and making a change in the postseason, we will continue to talk to players. I still have a significant number of player meetings ahead of me. I’m sure I’ll have some conversations with Tony Clark on this topic.
“I would raise two points. I generally do – and there are exceptions, including the extra inning rule – generally I think you should play the postseason the same way you play the regular season. There are exceptions, okay? I’m open to the subject.
“And secondly, we’re happy with the way time is being handled and offenses being dealt with, particularly in the late game and high leverage situations that we’re seeing.”
MLB players would like some pitch clock changes come playoff time. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The pitch clock may be a success story right now, but Manfred is right that its potential to decide a playoff game could be a dagger dangling over MLB’s improved pace of play. Given that the real purpose of the watch was to watch games better, the idea of changing it for the games that most people will be watching also seems questionable.