Major League Baseball completed its first season with a pitch clock, and as far as I can tell the world is still spinning on its axis.
I am a traditionalist at heart when it comes to baseball, but as much as I sentimentally resisted the idea of a pitch clock, I was glad when the system was implemented. The games had become excruciatingly long.
The results of game length 2023 are in, and the average game during the season was just under 2 hours, 40 minutes.That’s a significant improvement.
The clock was a notable presence during early games in the season. You may recall Max Scherzer and others had a few adventures with it. But a few weeks later, I pretty much stopped thinking about it.
The only MLB games I went to in person were in Baltimore, and I don’t recall thinking much about the clock. The mere fact of the clock did not detract from enjoyment of the game, but the relatively speedy run of the games helped.
As for the other rule changes, I thought the larger bases were silly, but I must admit the increase in stolen bases enlivened the games I watched. The pickoff throw rule bugs me, however.
I only watched one full game of the World Series, not because I wasn’t interested but because I go to bed earlier than I used to. I was delighted to see a few sacrifice bunts not only attempted but, in traditional situations that called for them, executed. Bravo, small ball!
The Ball Caps Blog 
The clock and bigger bases have made baseball watchable again. Nice to know batters don’t really need to adjust their gloves between every pitch. Banning the shift, though, was a bad move. These guys are professionals; they should be able to hit it where the other team ain’t.
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Oh, I forgot about the ban on the shift. I agree with you. All it would take to thwart those shifts is one good hitter who would mercilessly exploit it by hitting into the wide open spaces.
My initial reaction to the pitch clock was long live Mike “human rain delay” Hargrove! But like you, I warmed up to the new pace though I think I’ll draw the line with robot umps. I like that pitchers and batters have to adjust according to the type of a game an umpire happens to be calling that day.
My initial reaction was like this is too much for baseball and Manfred is trying to ruin baseball but then I saw how well it worked out! Please subscribe to my blog! I also wrote about this!
Agreed: ixnay on the obot rumps!
My initial reaction was like this is too much for baseball and Manfred is trying to ruin baseball but then I saw how well it worked out! Please subscribe to my blog! I also wrote about this!