The time is ticking, the clock is going down, pitch after pitch. It leaves not just MLB supporters and the MLBPA with the ultimate question: Should the MLB pitch clock rule be banned?
Ruining Pitchers’ Arms
There has been a lot of controversy over the last year since the pitch clock rule was made in the year of 2023. The pitch clock rule consists of a clock running down progressively in between each pitch for MLB (Major League Baseball) pitchers. When there is a runner on a base, the pitcher will get 20 seconds in between each pitch to be able to throw the ball to the catcher at home plate. But when there is nobody on base, the pitcher has 15 seconds to throw the ball to the catcher. Star pitchers that have been significantly injured throughout the season are Shane Bieber, (CLE), Spencer Strider, (ATL), Gerritt Cole, (NYY), have all been ruled to be out for significant time, while both Shane Bieber and Spencer Strider have been ruled out for the rest of the season as they both will be receiving Tommy John Surgery. It will be interesting to see if they ban the pitch clock to preserve these pitchers from getting injured. The MLBPA (Major League Baseball Players Association), believes that it is the pitch clock that is ruining these pitchers’ arms.
Speed
Furthermore, another controversial topic that has been certainley brought up for why the pitch clock is put into place is the speed of the game. Before the drastic move changes that were made to the entire game, the MLB games would be lasting upward between 3 to 4 hours. Although it has definitely been a controversial topic, most people were on board with the game changes at first. But with new rules that have certainly impacted the game, the biggest two rules that have been impacted are both the size and length of the bases and the pitch clock. At first, the MLBPA was on board with the new rule changes that were assessed and brought up at the time, but now there is definitely some different perspectives about these rules, especially the pitch clock. So even though that the MLBPA is not very sure about what they should do for the deciding factor in these rule changes,. Ultimatley, the MLBPA will have to make the deciding factor of doing this move of banning the pitch clock for the players or doing it for the speed of the game.
Money
Subsequently, another crucial factor that is necessary for the MLBPA is the money aspect that is being put into play. Although it is just a speculated myth, the MLB rule change was made to speed up the game, to encourage more viewers watch the game. If there are more views of the games, then that would significantly help out the MLB. Recently, the MLB has dropped a lot of viewers because the games were taking a significant amount of time per game. Another way that the MLB has definitely benefited while also making more rule changes is by adding availability on streaming services such as Apple TV and MLB League Pass to make more viewers buy the money to buy whatever is necessary to be able to watch the game. The pitch clock has certainly impacting viewership, as now there has been a drastic increase in viewership.
Conclusively, it is very controversial as to decide if the pitch clock should be banned or not. The decision that will be made is crucial, as this can change a lot for the sport. But that leaves us with the ultimate question of should the MLB pitch clock be banned or should it be kept?
Work Cited
MLB.com | The Official Site of Major League Baseball, http://mlb.com. Accessed 10 May 2024.
