Despite mixed reactions from players and fans, the MLB looks to be unperturbed. While for several years, experts have stated that the pace of the game was affecting its viewership, the 2022 season may have seen a change in the right direction. The league acted in bringing in a pitch clock to hasten what many called a slow game. And while the move may have certainly served its purpose, the fans aren’t the happiest bunch.

MLB’s 2022 rule changes now mean that the pitchers have to pitch within 15 seconds when the bases are empty and 20 seconds when they are loaded to avoid a pitch clock violation. While the move has by and large been effective to reduce the average times of the game, the fans seem to believe that it may not be the best move to move the game forward. But MLB has clearly made a decision in potentially a season-deciding move for all teams contending for the pennant.

MLB Announces Key Decision For 2023 Post-Season

Everyone in MLB is a professional baseball player. And as an athlete, what you are first taught is always how to adapt. While the fans may not appreciate the league’s latest move, the players lobby has been silent on the matter clearly showing the acceptance they have for the move. On Saturday, Rob Manfred, commonly referred to as the ‘man who despises baseball,’ and the MLB announced their decision to retain the pitch clock even through the 2022 post-season.

MLB insider Jeff Passan reported that that while the players lobby had previously expressed an interest extending the times for the pitch clock, such measures have yet to be implemented. MLB’s executive council thus informed the larger base that no such rule changes will be put in place for the 2023 post-season.

The pitch clock appears to be largely effective with games now averaging a time of 2 hours and 39 minutes, nearly 25 minutes lesser than the average last season. And with it continuing even into the post-season it appears that the League has made its decision going forward. Baseball fans however, are another subject altogether.

Fans React to New Rule Change

Fans of baseball are a passionate bunch. When the game changes there are bound to be its detractors, and the fandom found its opposition on social media. But some fans were also not perturbed, believing that the changes were only to better the game.

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The major opposition from the fans came only because they were of the opinion that the crunch games could be potentially decided by the pitch clock. And when the postseason is in question, the World Series could even stand to be decided by a pitch clock violation.

Other fans however, chose to instead focus on how the game was at large benefitting. Some even pointed out that the players had already begun adapting to the changes and it was the same as any other rule that could affect the flow of the game.

And still others were simply holding out on reacting. With the post-season yet to be played with such a rule in place, they decided instead to hold back until they had seen a complete season play out this way before making a decision.

But what do you think? Is the pitch clock a good measure? Or do you think it could spoil the allure of the post-season by rushing the games? Let us know in the comments below!

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