MLB’s Pitch Clock is the Greatest Rule Change in Sports History…

In this video I talk about MLB’s new pitch clock and why it’s the greatest rule change I’ve ever seen made to a sport…

[@draneym2003]

For the players who don't like it, you have no one to blame but yourselves. If you didn't let it get to the point of a minute between pitches and waning fan interest the clock wouldn't have been necessary.

[@jawbone78]

This exactly. 100%. I wish they didn't need to do this, just like I wish they didn't need to ban the shift. But they do, on both counts, because both things (which, for the record, were objectively the correct way to play under the previous rules) were making the game harder and harder to watch the worse they got.

[@locomojoboy2]

Fax

[@corinthianloyless6799]

If it's too slow for you go watch other sports with clocks

[@BoilingHotCoffee]

@@corinthianloyless6799 You act like the MLB wants to lose fans

[@chazmichaelmichaels88]

​@Device One go play ice hockey before you talk about dangerous..

[@adamgillespie8508]

To be fair, games in the 70’s were shorter because the commercial breaks between innings were only 90 seconds not 3 and a half minutes. That’s a big reason games got longer.

[@tomf5823]

that's one part. the others are there are way many relivers per game now ( i have no idea why they let relievers warm up on the actual mound when they have a bullpen-total waste og time) and back then batters didn't take forever to get in the box and pitchers didn't take forever to pitch.

[@JonnyOpinionated]

Manfred not ready for THAT conversation. He cares more about the $ than the game.

[@ekerson]

The games in the 70's did not have 10 minute reviews of every close play at first

[@ScottRossProductions]

I just told my wife the same thing. Pitchers used to work faster. Hitters used not to step out of the box to scratch their balls after every pitch. Instant replay hasn't helped, either. Technology has ruined the game.

[@danielcastiglione5328]

That’s exactly why they were shorter.

[@DaWARRoom]

Now Rob Manfred only needs approximately 374 more smart decisions to get back on my good side..😁👍

[@scsmith4604]

Only 374??? We need to remember that the Commissioner is really just a hitman for the owners and is an extension of them. If you look at it that way it makes sense. The owners of MLB are the worst in sports too. One thing about the pitch selector that I noticed in a game yesterday. Zach Greinke was wearing it on his arm and the catcher had the ear piece. That game moved really fast.

[@williamseal7788]

i belive all they need to do is not show the clock on tv at all. a lot of people are focused on the clock and not the pitch, take the clock away and people are just looking at a fast pace baseball game.

[@doublethomas8415]

The pitch clock is an abomination.

[@JohnJakeWilliam]

I’ve been watching MLB since the 60’s. Bob Gibson was a legend and pitched at a very fast pace. Pitch the damn ball already, it may save baseball.

[@bradleyr34]

I might start watching again due to this change.

[@trippy2767]

An automatic runner on 2nd during extra innings is stupid and I will feel that way until the day I die.

[@Il_Exile_lI]

The thing the traditionalists opposed to the rule always fail to address is the fact that there has been a pitch clock in the MLB rulebook for like 100 years. Rule 8.04: "When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call "Ball." The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball." Now, obviously this rule has not been enforced for decades, but it's still in the rule book. One could argue that finally implementing an enforced pitch clock is actually bringing us closer to traditional baseball than we have been in decades.

[@rileyesmay]

Then why didn't MLB tell teams they had to speed up the 2022 season and games be on average say 20 minutes quicker, or else we will be enforcing the rule next year? I just don't understand that part, it would seem players and managers wouldn't like the clock on average, and would speed up on their own if it meant they don't have the rule and when they actually need time they would be able to take their time like the bottom of the 9th tied up bases loaded for example. No rule can be made so every impactful match up can have more time, so now they will be rushed. It's sad

[@jawbone78]

Exactly. Players have been abusing the lack of enforcement on pace of play for decades now, and it's been killing the game as it's gotten progressively worse. Between this, the shift ban, and the bigger bases, there's going to be more incentive to play old-style baseball with more balls in play. Pitchers should get easier to hit, balls in play will be easier to beat out, steals will get easier. Swinging for launch angle and exit velo might stop being the objectively best strategy in all situations. I love the new rules, but we won't really know how it all shakes out for at least a full season.

[@jawbone78]

​@@rileyesmay well they have been threatening a clock for years now. But most importantly, you can't tell teams to stop trying their best to win. No team is going to tell its players to step into the box less ready to hit, or to deliver their pitches less ready to throw. The reason it was taking longer and longer is that players learned that they achieved better outcomes the longer they could take and the more carefully they could prepare between pitches, making it the right way to play. Same thing with the shift - it was the right way to play defense, and once you know that you can't be expected to give it up without a rule change to force you to.

[@tomf5823]

while you are technically correct i've never seen it enforced once.a rule only matters as much as its enforcement.

[@mcb0b1]

All the old time purists are mad about people wanting to see a baseball game, take the amount of time it took, when the old time purists were kids watching the game.

[@user-zr6pl6nb6z]

All these rules changes in the past few years are stupid. If people are so interested in fast games, why do they even bother to watch it at all? They make it seem like it's a chore.

[@ricky5369]

this is awful, I heard Roger Clemens say it will turn pitchers into throwers. I thought that was a little extreme, then I saw how short the clock was. This takes all the skill out of being a pitcher and more people are going to get hurt from hit by pitches. I thought this might be like a minute or something just to prevent someone from stalling, this is absolutely ridiculous. I don't think pitchers should feel rushed, to be honest I feel rushed watching them.

[@caseyschenkel1889]

Every rule change to speed up the game has been good except for the ghost runner on second in overtime. I Hate that rule! Capital H Hate. Everything else has been good.

[@ricky5369]

I totally disagree, I think that rule is fine and the pitch clock is terrible. It's not that I'm for the ghost runner rules, but it doesn't take away all of the game's strategy and cause a safety hazard. Also, the ghost runner rule actually feels like traditional baseball. It's obviously not, but it feels like it stays true to the heart of baseball. It's the type of rule they would make in a hometown little league game. It doesn't change the game at all either. This pitch clock takes away all the strategy and skill of pitching. Anyone who thinks this is a good rule has never pitched a game in their life.

[@davidwenzel717]

Who said it would ruin the game? It's the reason I am going to watch baseball again

[@cubsfan2929]

Lol... the reason you're going to watch the game again is because it'll be 16 minutes shorter... you were never a fan and you won't be now dork

[@shadyparadox]

The best part about not having a pitch clock is how it can really extend the tension in the playoffs. Resolving that too quickly is going to take some of the drama out of it now.

[@marianorivera3272]

Ain’t nothing stopping MLB to limit the Pitch clock to the regular season.

[@Nickalzz]

No it’s not. They’ll just be an adjustment phase and in a few years no one will even care or remember.

[@tomf5823]

it's needed in the playoffs too. 4-2 games shouldn't take 4 hours.

[@jordy65056]

Drama is usually with people on bases on which they have 20 seconds

[@magnusmcgee993]

So you are saying you want drama rather than sport?

[@Zman2424]

I wouldn't mind if they turned it off after the 8th inning. The 9th inning is already full of suspense, no need to rush it.

[@jessel2418]

Same thought although maybe even after the 7th inning Also in extras put a runner on first not 2nd base. Stolen bases could return and less sacrifices

[@claytoncourtney1309]

I don't think you should have different rules for different times of the game. That is one of the reasons why I'm against the ghost runner.

[@pliskenmovie]

@@claytoncourtney1309 Hockey is kinda like this. In the regular season, the game doesn't mean as much, people have lives, and teams have flights to catch...so you have 5min of 3-on-3 OT, and the shootout. During the Cup playoffs...full 20min periods until somebody scores. In the playoffs, I'd definitely get rid of the ghost runner.

[@tomf5823]

@@pliskenmovie hockey regular season ot/points rule is hot garbage.

[@Tdrums8]

worst rule ever going to ruin baseball and cause ejections and confrontations .You want a change that will improve baseball .GET RID of the Home plate umps .They Suck and need to be replaced ..They ruin baseball and cant even call a correct Strike anymore

[@tristantaylor3056]

I still hate the ghost runner in extras

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

Innovate or die. I just feel badly for the clock operator who has to watch every second of every inning. That's not as fun as it sounds.

[@Reiderreiter]

How is a pitch clock going to stop batters from swinging at literally everything and striking out on average once per game? Because baseball won’t be saved until players relearn how to bat.

[@tomf5823]

pitchers won't throw quite as hard with less time b/w pitches and eliminating the sihift will cut down somewhat on strikeouts.

[@darlingtondeathbeam]

That's a batter problem, not a pitcher problem

[@johnanthony9923]

Just stop it. It will make ZERO difference. 1) People who already watch will continue to watch. 2) People who don't currently like baseball aren't going to start watching because the games are slightly shorter. 3) People who think the game is too slow aren't going to be any more entertained because of this. People enjoy football, soccer, and even cricket. Those games can be as long, or even significantly longer. The LENGTH of the game is irrelevant. Most of the *PLAY* of the game is strikeouts and walks, and, overall, just not that entertaining to most people. Add in 20+ 5 minute commercial breaks between every half inning and pitching change (which there are about 10 of per game). People would rather watch a 5 hour football game between two random teams than a TWO hour baseball game of their OWN team.

[@Nickalzz]

That’s just silly. There’s literally large portions of the game where nothing is happening and one guy is just obviously stalling. All this is doing is adding a rhythm to the game instead of staring matches every pitch. It’s weird that people are even defending the way it was. Most of the game is spent with the commentators just saying random things trying to keep fan engagement up. Of course it’ll matter and bring more fans. You’re obviously just very biased about this.

[@tomf5823]

@@Nickalzz well said

[@rmustang04videos25]

The problem with the pitching ninja video is it takes a spring training game compared to a NLCS game from 2016 with a base stealing runner at 2nd base using classic pitch calling that can be stolen… it’s a pretty disingenuous comparison to use…

[@wizardoferror9942]

Yeah. The MLB themselves do better comparisons.

[@nathyatta]

As an Australian there is a cricket analogy to this. Shorter forms of the game have become much more popular than longer forms in recent years, especially in India. A lot of cricket purists complain about this because longer forms are seen as being more pure (or whatever). I kind of agree, and like the longer forms better, but if shorter forms of the game bring more people to enjoy the game i love, so i can enjoy it with more people, then I think that can only be a good thing.

[@johnanthony9923]

You just disproved the entire argument. Cricket is MUCH longer than baseball and people still watch it. People watch long games in plenty of sports. Are cricket matches also 50% commercials like baseball?

[@aarn700]

@@johnanthony9923 because people watch a longer version doesn’t not mean that a shorter version isn’t more popular and brings more people in

[@nathyatta]

@@aarn700 I was going to say something similar. I think a bit of the interplay and intricacies between pitches will be lost, which will probably annoy many fans, but you have to think about everyone.

[@ryan_alexander]

Full size little league baseball it is, mercy rule included

[@poocrayon4588]

Its not the same thing. They hurried up bowlers in cricket as well years ago. The different forms of the game of cricket take different time - this isnt like that.

[@dannyhale7645]

I agree with your main point, that the pitch clock is a good rule change that was desperately needed and it might save the game. I strongly disagree with your assertion that nobody stopped watching the game because of previous rule changes. I did. I've been a die hard Cardinals fan since '82. In the past, I watched every Cardinals game that was broadcast on TV. Over the last few years, I've lost interest. With all the rule changes, I barely recognize the game anymore. I only watched a few games last season, and that was just to see Yadi's and Albert's final season. I just don't enjoy watching the game anymore. It's not just me. My wife, my 80 year old step dad, and my 87 year old father in law were all lifelong Cardinals fans who used to watch the Cardinals as much as I did, but they stopped watching before me. I've talked to dozens of people who have stopped watching baseball, and every single person has cited the rule changes as their primary reason. Some of these fans grew up listening to every game on the radio before television was invented. The DH rule coming to the NL was the final straw for me. I'm sure you are well aware of the arguments over how the DH rule removes most of the strategy from the game. So I shouldn't need to explain that. If you grew up watching the AL with the DH, you'll never understand anyway. I admit that the reliance on sabermetrics, leading to the shift and other nonsense has hurt the game, too. As has batters stepping out of the box to adjust their batting gloves for 10 minutes between each pitch. For me, and everyone I've talked to, though, the rule changes are the biggest reason. It's been an endless cycle under Manfred. He changes rules, and fans stop watching. So he tries changing more rules to fix it, and more fans stop watching. It's like Albert Einstein said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Baseball has always been a game who's charm is in it's traditions, and Manfred doesn't understand that. He's like a bull in a China shop. He's done more harm to the game than Pete Rose and all of the Black Sox combined. If anyone deserves a lifetime ban, it's Rob Manfred. I was initially annoyed to hear that good Ol' Rob was making significant rule changes again this year. After looking into it a little, I'm hopeful that he finally got it right. All these new rules might be a step in the right direction. With the way Scherzer has taken advantage of the pitch clock, the rule might need some tweaking, but I think it might help. This year, Rob Manfred might just be the proverbial blind squirrel who finally found a nut. Then again, he might just be a nut. Either way, I'm going to at least tune into some of Waino's games during his last season. I'm hoping to see baseball when I do, because it's been a long time.

[@sangmookee6524]

As a South Korean, l'm convinced pitch clock will save entire MLB

[@ml242]

i'll withold judgement on this because it might be fine but it is still too many changes at once. all they *need* to do is have a robot ump calling balls and strikes. it'd make the game faster and fairer. baseball fans like me do already like the game, alienating fans to get new blood is risky. and even if this works out but the ghost runner stinks, big bases will stink, and everything else manfred touches stinks too. see: ftx and gambling sponsorships, blech.

[@scsmith4604]

The one thing I think will be interesting to watch is how quickly a pitcher tires out now. We might be now in an era where pitchers will not be able to go 6 innings anymore as they will tire out quicker.

[@jawbone78]

They could always throw less hard. What I'm hoping for is pitchers reverting to an easier, less power-packed style of pitching and batters being simultaneously less able to dial in and having to swing more defensively. If so, this should lead to more balls in play. We won't know for a while because players are still adjusting and will be for quite a while.

[@user-zr6pl6nb6z]

A lot of these pussy pitchers nowadays can't go six innings as it is.

[@Nickalzz]

I’m interested in this also. I think it’ll just introduce more strategy though. Also the batter will have less time to think about their strategy too so it’s exciting.

[@user-zr6pl6nb6z]

@@Nickalzz Small things amuse small minds.

[@mcb0b1]

Maybe they will finally learn how to pitch instead of just throwing hard.

[@ChakatNightspark]

The Pitch Clock is Not the Greatest Rule. It is only going to make the game going quicker. Pretty Much, MLB Franchise doesn't really care about the fans, They want to make the games Go as fast as possible. Get Everyone out of the Stadiums and off the TV air as fast as possible. Perhaps, before saying it is the Greatest Rule Change in Sports History @The War Room. Go to EVERY SINGLE PLAYER in MLB and Ask if they Like the Pitch Clock and the Batter Clock. Ask for Their Honest Answer to it. Just Don't Say it is the Greatest bested On Your OWN opinions. Cause it is only YOU who think its the Greatest Rule.

[@Tom.788]

Doesn’t seem like they thought this all the way through.

[@AV57]

One camp wants the game to be played like it was for the first 100+ years of its existence. The other camp wants the rulebook to remain the same.

[@eliasjerhada]

Blackouts now need to end

[@Art-bn7di]

I like the rule overall, only change I would make is maybe adding like 2-3 seconds onto the clock. 15 Seconds has felt pretty fast in my opinion.

[@BachBeethovenBerg]

I think it should be 20 seconds with nobody on and 25 seconds with runners on. Also I think the batter shouldn’t be automatically penalized if he’s not ready by 8 seconds, but allow the pitcher to pitch no matter what in the last 8 seconds even if the batter isn’t ready.

[@mbdg6810]

@@BachBeethovenBergi agree.

[@MIKEYBASEBALL]

I think they should remove it

[@ricky5369]

or add 45 seconds, this is ridiculous. someone's going to get hurt and pitching strategy is now dead forever

[@ricky5369]

@@MIKEYBASEBALL yea I agree this is awful. I thought this rule was going to be like a minute just to prevent it from going on forever, which I think would be not terrible. This is absolutely terrible.

[@rmp5s]

All this to knock a whole 20-something seconds off the average...no thanks.

[@thehotdoga3981]

you forget when you get hungry and get in line for food and instead of missing a single inning you miss 4 innings entirely

[@thehotdoga3981]

honestly agree with most of what you said but some of the crap players like scherzer are pullin is total BS and shouldnt be possible

[@jawbone78]

Then stay in your seat and buy from the vendors - if people don't have time to get up for food without missing play, the stadiums will send more people out to deliver it to you, the way it used to be.

[@prodigy2652]

@@jawbone78 i like to not be ripped off

[@Nickalzz]

You’re being disingenuous and exaggerating. It’s doesn’t take that long to get food.

[@thehotdoga3981]

@@Nickalzz it was mostly a joke but I have had to miss a little under an inning once or twice

[@ekerson]

Pitch clock is terrible. Its not going to draw in new fans, its just going to turn off current fans. Games are not too long. Its going to ruin the game. No rule change is going to get me to watch NBA or soccer. I still hate the Nike logos and still hate the ghost runner. Hate the pitch clock as well.

[@ricky5369]

Anyone who thinks this is a good rule has never pitched a day in their life. All the strategy and skill of pitching is dead, their purpose is now just to get the ball in play.

[@chazm3]

I’ve always noticed that more time was taken by everyone after every foul ball. Under the new rule when does the pitch count start when there’s a foul ball?

[@Fargoleafy]

Nah. Dumb change. Gonna cause problems, will barely speed up the game and will bring in 0 new fans.

[@nubopgritty634]

It's designed to attract people who don't like baseball and they will now watch it for a few weeks and again decide they don't like it.

[@desamster]

The most convincing argument that baseball isn't boring, are post season condensed games. Keep an eye on TrueRGM's channel in october and you'll see what I mean.

[@sangmookee6524]

I've watched that channel, too

[@halogamerfromxbox]

I wouldn’t mind the pitch clock, if the commercials wouldn’t cut into playing time. I’ve seen way too many times when the commercials end and when they go back to the game, there’s already a runner on and 1 out. If you’re focusing on speeding up the game AT LEAST LET US SEE THE WHOLE GAME

[@cmoore185]

In theory, it sounds great and will make a difference except in televised games, like every game played after spring training. The most time used in a televised game is the use of dead time where every play is shown at least twice and the time wasted for commercials. The reason most games are longer is because all games are televised and all of them play into the hands of broadcasters and commercials. Imagine how fast each game could be if they didn't have commercial breaks and didn't replay anything that wasn't a game changing play.

[@robthompson8285]

Watching baseball is a joy again. I love the clock.

[@guyaldrich5878]

What will save the game is cut salaries and ticket prices in half ! They would still make insane money if they did this !

[@NomahLovesYah]

Agree, just went to a spring training game and it was way more fun to watch.

[@Chaser610]

My opinion on it from a royals fan pov is that it’s way more fair to smaller market teams because being able to afford good pitchers doesn’t matter if they take longer to throw than the pitch clock

[@somedude1901]

I also waited to form an opinion on this change, but I agree - it’s fantastic. Just want the pitch clock gone in the 9th inning and in the post season

[@tylerilgenfritz6444]

I can get behind this, playoffs need that tension, the atmosphere. We can't have pitchers and batters being rushed with the biggest pitch/AB of their lives. Also can't have a pitch clock win a game in the playoffs.

[@timboslice8559]

@@tylerilgenfritz6444 their professional athletes they should be able to handle taking a pitch then getting right back to it. I love this rule change

[@Ortified]

Getting rid of blackouts will save baseball. This is ruining the pacing of the game and players. Casual fans don’t exist anymore because you can’t turn the local game on unless you pay for cable or Bally sports. Players will find ways to manipulate the clock that the mlb won’t be able to fix like they did with Scherzer.

[@charliegodinez9655]

I don’t like the clock. Feels like I’m watching a rushed game to just get an outcome instead of getting the feel of a game within a game. I’m a real baseball fan and love long games that have substance to them.

[@stevehunt9051]

Players have to adjust. Just like us in our everyday job.

[@CDavid1951]

How to make the game shorter; three innings should be enough time to finish a game so all the Very busy people can get on with the things they love to do.

[@WillConley]

Nah just a one-inning home run derby pitched by a machine, batted by a robot.

[@jordangraham1276]

I like the pitch clock

[@therebellioussheep2368]

Only boomers don't like the pitch clock.

[@danielcastiglione5328]

Hate it! Worse change of them all.

[@06general066]

I swear people with opinions like this have never even touched a baseball let alone played a game

[@ricky5369]

yes!!!!! This is absurd, people who want this rule have never pitched in their life. You can't rush pitching like this, a minute is acceptable but this takes away strategy. Pitchers will become throwers, there is so much strategy and skill developed over the years with pitching and now it's all out the window. People in the comments are talking about how it makes the game quicker blah blah they clearly have never played baseball because they are seeing it like any other sport with a pitch clock.

[@timboslice8559]

Football has a play clock and America loves it! I think America will love this new pitch clock addition to baseball

[@ricky5369]

dude, are you kidding me? no way you're serious Have you ever pitched before? THEY ARE NOT THE SAME THING it's not even like shooting a basketball. This is absolutely terrible and dangerous

[@corinthianloyless6799]

Don't care what you say... I'll be putting an asterisk by this season.

[@PhantomofDB]

Why just this season? It’s here to stay. It’s been in the minors since 2016 with nothing but success

[@mikeyf7039]

We needed ABS (computer strike zone, like in minors) before the pitch clock. If 15 seconds is more important than accurate calls, MLB dun screwed up. I can’t watch angel Hernandez decide the zone any longer.

[@jawbone78]

Angel Hernandez can't ump forever, and the stats on the newer umps have been promising. The feedback system they have in place now is actually working, with call accuracy increasing. It makes the older guys look bad. I completely agree that we should still move to robot umps, but IMO this change was needed more.

[@michaelschweitzer6718]

The bigger problem is the number of relief pitchers used in a game. If each team uses about five relief pitchers, which is not uncommon, that’s ten times that the game has to stop.

[@elizabethg1901]

That may become more and more common with the pitch clock in order to save arms.

[@wizardoferror9942]

I’m with you. The pitch clock is a very good idea. Rob Manfred is trying his best to fix baseball (heck, he may be eliminating local blackouts for a handful of teams), but what ticks me off is people have that fixed mindset and are like “DUHHHH, FIRE MANFRED! THIS’LL RUIN BASEBALL! YUK! 🤪🤡” 🤦‍♂️ Even people argue that there is a decline in concession sales, but think about it: Games in the 70’s and 80’s lasted 2 1/2 hours and concessions still made a profit. It’s possible.

[@haditahir9608]

I feel like implementing the pitch clock definitely accomplishes one thing and that's effectively killing the game within the game of baseball. Those battles between hitter and pitcher pulling all the stops with their time outs/stare downs. That and having games go into the 15th inning or so and the game and the field basically turning into a battlefield seeing which side will come out on top. These little moments as well being able to witness the game within the game when its not all about the flashy home runs, and logos, and superstars with their chains doing the griddy crossing home plate, is what's gonna be missed. The old guard and that mentality of treating baseball like it's a fucking war I hope still lives on in other ways after this but it's a dying breed and a huge culture shift is inevitable. Guys like Mad Bum and Scherzer are probably the last of their kind.

[@greendayfan1041]

there will still be a game within the game. people will just do it differently, and more quickly.

[@haditahir9608]

@youngbulls Yeah Scherzer said he's already adapted to it but it's high key just exploiting the new time out rules and that's exactly what the game within the game is all about. He's just brining the old guard mentality within the context of the new rules. But like I said, he's probably one of the last one's with that mentality.

[@jawbone78]

The so-called "game within the game" always existed, but it never took as long as it does today. It was way, waaaay out of hand. It's not interesting enough to take as long as it did. The truly exciting part of baseball is the action when the ball is in play. Any rules that decreases the length of time between interesting things happening is a good thing. The fans who liked to watch pitchers and batters stare at each other were not numerous enough to keep the game going. Baseball is dying. This change brings baseball closer to how it was played back when it was the most popular sport in America.

[@tmangoodguy9921]

I completely DISAGREE with your statement

[@rogp2208]

100% agree who tf wants watch them play hot potato.

[@pythor2117]

No

[@olrascal5569]

zoomers gonna zoom

[@bretstanley8931]

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! We gotta get this game over with! Hurry bat boys! If you can't retrieve the bat quickly enough we're going to replace you! Hurry up people! What are they saving--an average of 22 minutes or something? Who the hell goes to a baseball game and says, "Gee I hope this game is over quickly so I can get back home and do something else?" What a joke! MLB is a joke!

[@lilmikeycarson]

If you think this was put in place to "improve the game", you're delusional. The intention was to attract casual fans who care more about betting than they do about baseball, which in turn attracts sportsbetting advertisments - where the real money is. The owners don't care about you or about making the game better or more interesting. They care about money. That's it.

[@MeyersTJ1]

I'm completely on board with banning the shift. Shifting an MLB infield is the equivalent of telling an NBA pointguard that he can only dribble with his non dominant hand. When it comes to the pitch clock, I don't think that it will even last a full year and here are a couple of reasons why. First, fans who attend games and therefore purchase tickets to those games do NOT care that "games are too long." Season ticket sales will drop (possibly dramatically) because who wants to spend that kind of money to go to games that feel rushed? Who wants to travel to and from the game, deal with the traffic, the parking, the price of a beer, etc. to go to games that feel rushed? General attendance will drop for the same reasons and, as such, they will need to drop ticket prices to entice people to come to games. Secondly, batters complaints will start small with not being able to call time more than once even though they're forced to get into the box by a certain second marker. Next, you will see an uptick in quickpitches balk calls and when that happens pitchers will start complaining that its because of the pitch clock. And lastly, and unfortunately, I predict that you will see an increase in arm injuries in pitchers, and the second that said arm injury happens to a major star, kiss the pitch clock goodbye. It will be like the "Tom Brady" rule for the MLB. It is not going to last one full season is my prediction.

[@UnleashthePhury]

Between this and banning the shift, baseball is about to become a billion times more watchable

[@michaelzegler1025]

Unfortunately $business$ has put in the 👎clock👎"America's Pastime"🤷is being ruined by the almighty Is Dollar🤷....

[@harrison3910]

Really? The greatest rule change in sports history? Do baseball fans think baseball is the only sport to exist? Tennis has had a serve clock since forever, there’s also been Hawkeye and automated line calls. Baseball needs to keep up.

[@leeartlee915]

All I know is, when I took friends/family to baseball games, they like the experience but they just tuned out of the games because it took SOOOOOOO long for something to happen. My only concern is around the playoffs. I hope they give a little more wiggle room during Oct.

[@ErrollWilliams]

I been through some of the major and minor league ⚾ games. I agree that the pitch clock, 3" inches of base and limit shift is fair so the game can run smooth and time of the game as well. Give the minor league credit for using the pitch clock before major put the pitch clock in as well. Not only that give the batter advantage. But it's the pace of the game as well. My opinion is fair because time (hours of playing) is the key factor of the solution of sports. It's a different level of ⚾ because of technology.

[@t12monkeys]

in 70’s and 80’s Starting pictures having 15+ complete games was commonplace. today you’ll be lucky to get 2. bullpens slow game down too.

[@CryptidKeeperTCG]

Pitch clock sucks, no one who’s ever played baseball would like the pitch clock

[@JamesWatheist]

Its a temporary band aid that will not save baseball long term. Change all you want, deatroy the game, change it to something fundamentally different, you will never make baseball palatable to the tictok generation.

[@krollscott34]

Ive watched less baseball in the last two years than I have in over 40 years of enjoying the game and I think this year will be even less. the dh, shift rule, pitch clock and netting has diminished the game and if they impliment robot umps and automatic runner in extra innings im done.

[@generalshrooms]

BUT I WANT TO WATCH THE BATTER ADJUST HIS WRIST STRAPS 10 TIMES, TAP HIS LEFT FOOT 3 TIMES, RIGHT FOOT 5 TIMES, BAT TAP THE MOUND, ROLL HIS SHOULDERS, THEN PUT THE BAT UNDER HIS ARM TO ADJUST HIS WRIST STRAPS AGAIN AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[@vintagemotorcyclerepair4052]

The sooner MLB goes belly up the better. Meanwhile I will be ignoring it completely as I have for many years. MLB sucks.

[@CH-qy7ug]

People who say they hate the pitch clock I feel like haven’t watched a game with it yet. Trust me the games are way more fun to watch when the pitchers aren’t taking forever and the batters aren’t walking around for 5 minutes in between pitches. There’s just more action to it

[@NoUploadJustComment]

As long as the viewer doesn't have to look at the clock on screen I have no issue with it.

[@elizabethg1901]

Maybe I am an outlier, but I don't mind long games. I watch for the overall strategy and game play. Sure homeruns, strikeouts, and steals are fun, but the whole game is enjoyable to watch/listen, including the slow parts. I end up watching baseball less not because it is "too long" but when it got political and players/teams/networks starting shilling for the (insert current thing here). It remains to be seen, but be on the lookout for more pitcher injuries going forward due to the clock.

[@MA-ck4wu]

As a foreigner, I'll add that it's always a treat listening to that great American sportscasting accent throughout a 3-hour game. It's commentary packed with Americanisms, baseball folklore, anecdotes, wordplay, etc. and all delivered in that delicious neutral radio-friendly American accent. Nonetheless, I don't think that's going away, even with the pitch clock, and the like.

[@ItsAllAboutGuitar]

I completely agree! That's why I stopped watching about ten years ago. "Gotta support the troops" "Thank you for your service". I just want to watch a competitive baseball game, not be brainwashed.

[@jimgaletsis5150]

This is just another in the long line of horrible decisions he has made. This will cause problems when a game matters more including during the pennant race. PitchCom is good. The pitch clock needs to go

[@TheImapotato]

Nope. Still HR, BB, K outcome for the most part. Putting more balls in play is the key

[@sixtiesguy593]

They are ruining the game...LEAVE IT ALONE !! These new changes are for losers!!

[@dannymikulas6226]

Manford and Goodell are the worst commissioners in sports.

[@MotorSportsLegend93]

I watch Baseball to see my teams win and make it to the world series

[@rileywashere91]

Maybe make commercial breaks shorter. But that would hurt their bottom line, so they won’t.

[@paulhopkins1905]

This rule is going to destroy baseball in those late inning pressure situations. If you like this rule you should find a new sport. The game never needed to be sped up. But then again, you named your channel after the most useless stat in sports

[@jawbone78]

Have you never seen baseball from more than 20 or 30 years ago, or do you just not watch it now? The pace of play has slowed down dramatically, and it has been killing the game. This was badly needed.

[@paulhopkins1905]

@@jawbone78 Bullshit, games are already ending because of phantom walks and strikeouts that were unearned.

[@user-zr6pl6nb6z]

Yeah, I don't get this whole "speed up the game" attitude. If watching baseball is such a chore for these people, maybe they ought to find a different sport.

[@jakestar121]

@@jawbone78 these fans prob grew up with the game after the 80s and think that slow 3.5hr games have always been the traditional norm for this sport lmfao

[@tomf5823]

no it's not. would you rather 2 great basketball players staring at each other for 2 minutes for one goes to make a move? of course not. people taking forever to actually play baseball does not make for an entertaining game. i wanna see great pitchers pitch and great hitter hit- not stare at each other.

[@zantar2482]

I just don't like the clock on the walls. I don't want to see it, I want to look for it and find it but not obnoxious.

[@sangmookee6524]

Commercial break is only 2 minutes. 3m 30s break is only in Postseason.

[@chazmichaelmichaels88]

The clock is nice for me. I hope to never have to stay up late on a work night, just to see the 8th or 9th.

[@theb3654]

The first game I watched this season was 18 to 6 and took 2 hours 49 minutes lol

[@kevinfinnerty8414]

Get rid of the DH, No more inner league play, Only 2 Divisions in each league, One 7 game series for the Pennant. Less Playoffs. And put the Braves back on TBS every day. And Baseball will be back to normal. With the Pitch Clock and no shifts, The game would be great.

[@ajk]

Cubs and White Sox on WGN too.

[@krollscott34]

I also think its a false statement to say no one stopped watching due to stupid rule changes.

[@johnwiatrak3944]

I like it with no runners on base but don't like it with runners.

[@altonT]

The ones who are not going to like a quicker game are the food and merchandise vendors.

[@nahx6205]

I absolutely hate the pitch clock. You however, have ZERO right to compare this to the ghost runner on second in extras. The pitch clock can be, I believe, tolerable, with changes. A complete and utter mockery of the game and everyone who has ever even thought of it's existence however, is not. Completely destroying one of the most interesting and nerve-wracking parts of the game isn't changing with the times. It's cutting your tongue out.

[@tomf5823]

what's interesting about pitchers not pitching?

[@ofthefallen8012]

All mlb is worried about is just showing the action… I don’t care about a high scoring or eventual game… I’m going for these guys trying their best for their teams to try and take the win but they can’t do their best if they’re being rushed and can’t take their time.. that’s just my take on it

[@jawbone78]

There needs to be a reasonable limit on that though. It had gotten completely out of hand.

[@blindovermatter3054]

As someone with a profound visual impairment, the time between pitches is what made me fall in love with the game of baseball. When listening to the radio as a kid, those seconds were magical. That time served to paint a picture, , it gives time for added context, heightened drama, and so much more. A good commentator could do so much more than call a game, they may be able to to describe things, to tell stories, to put me in that ballpark. That seems to be going away now. The way the sport is being consumed is changing, and I understand that. But very few people that I know personally who don’t watch baseball are voicing any interest in doing so, even with the rule changes that have occurred over the last 10 years, very few of which I have been a huge fan of. Call me a traditional list if you want to, disagree with me if you’d like to, I’m not going to get upset about it, but I’m just saying that things are changing and I for one, and not always a huge fan, even if I might come to accept some of these changes down the road. I still love this game, more than any other sport, and lots of other things in life besides, but that doesn’t mean I like everything that comes with it, especially now. It’s a hard thing to wrestle with, but I think it’s worth having conversations about, especially among us fans. Take care, everyone, and play ball!

[@renafan3333]

Ok quick question,why did baseball need saving?

[@MPONEWASH]

What has the world become man we are messing baseball up now home crap man i hate how times have changed in every way

[@cagedtigersteve]

Worst decision ever. There was nothing wrong with it before.