Fans Feel The MLB Games Are Getting Too Short: What’s The Pitch Clock That Is Annoying The Fans?
Although we should be delighted that MLB is back, it will sadly soon become dreadful and nearly intolerable. For that, we may thank Rob Manfred’s pitch clock.
It’s time to admit a harsh truth: Quick baseball games have never been enjoyable. As we get ready to witness the unsightly, game-quickening technology in games that matter and as spring training games this season have consistently clocked in at 2 hours 30 minutes or less. These are very bad.
Fans Feel The MLB Games Are Getting Too Short: What’s The Pitch Clock That Is Annoying The Fans?
The timing issue affects people present at their local stadium more so than spectators at home.
Manny Machado gets ejected after striking out on a pitch clock violation pic.twitter.com/w71D77ea4f
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 4, 2023
Many individuals are starting to object to the fact that they are frequently paying a significant amount of their hard-earned money on a game while maybe not receiving their money’s worth. In essence, you’re spending the same amount or perhaps more but get less in return.
Although the argument is rather ridiculous, it does have some validity.
Watch as Rafael Devers becomes the first player in MLB history to be called out because of a pitch clock violation. 😐
There's just not enough time to safely step out between pitches (even foul balls). pic.twitter.com/owm6v86aHJ
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) March 30, 2023
A baseball game might no longer be the best option for people who want to get away for the day or the evening. Want to hang out with your friends before you must return home and face reprimands from the girlfriend or the wife? Better not plan on going straight from the stadium back home – her Romcom won’t even be done yet!
Even while viewing at home, the games do seem a little hurried.
The average time for Opening Day games this year was 26 minutes less than last year’s average.
What are your thoughts on the new pitch clock?
(h/t @TheAthletic) pic.twitter.com/6oRs35NC8p
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 31, 2023
The average length of the 13 games that were played on Opening Day of Major League Baseball was 2 hours and 45 minutes. It was 26 minutes quicker than the typical time last year.
The games have been around 30 to 40 minutes shorter overall than they were last year.
The pitch clock that MLB instituted is mostly to blame for the shorter games. Now, when there are runners on base, pitchers get 20 seconds to throw, or 15 seconds if there are no runners on base. In the meanwhile, the hitter gets eight seconds to get into the batter’s box.
Manny Machado was called out on a pitch clock violation and got ejected for arguing it @StoolBaseball pic.twitter.com/povd9sc2rN
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) April 4, 2023
Some people will tell you that the quicker pace forced by the pitch clock is actually a good thing, but those people are idiots.
History speaks for itself! take a look!
A 7-6 Phillies-Cubs game in June that’s just 2 hours 28 minutes? Barf. But a 5-1 Rangers-Twins game in August that’s 3 hours 39 minutes? That’s the good stuff.
As the Cardinals defeated the Reds 15-2 on September 7, 1993, Mark Whitten tied a major league record by hitting four home runs. Bob Tewksbury wins by a score of nine. Pitch clock.
The game lasted 2 hours and 17 minutes. No one could possibly have loved witnessing that.
the pitch clock is an affront to mental health: 1 hour and 57 minutes is not long enough to distract me from the crippling anxiety of being alive https://t.co/v3gbkh0p0C
— Bobby Wagner (@bwags) April 5, 2023
On April 6, 1997, Greg Maddux pitches eight innings in a 4-0 victory over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, and Chipper Jones, another future Hall of Famer, smashes a home run.
Playtime is 1 hour, 47 minutes. I’m speechless in response to Maddux’s contempt for authentic baseball. Such a pleasure thief. With relation to Maddux
The 78-pitch Maddux complete game that everyone usually speaks about occurred on July 22, 1997. That game is this one. the Braves defeated the Cubs 4-1.
The game lasted 2 hours and 7 minutes. Why did Maddux squander everyone’s time in such a manner? And two times in one season? Now, I’m feeling agitated.
Shohei Ohtani may soon pitch left-handed in MLB games to certain batters. 😮
They're waiting for delivery of a special six-fingered glove so he can quickly switch hands without violating the pitch clock rules.
No limits to what this guy can do. It's insane! pic.twitter.com/g4kYSPGRar
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) April 1, 2023
1982 season: The 1982 Cardinals, a World Series champion team, are actually the devil kings of short games who turned everyone off. They are sometimes touted as the definition of “small ball” and “exciting” baseball.
Games last no more than two hours and thirty minutes (78 times). They continue to be the most despised team in St. Louis. Even Ozzie Smith is unable to reveal his face.
1995 campaign: The 1995 Braves, a club full of future Hall of Famers who are still relishing their status as “America’s Team,” are masters at turning off spectators by ending games before 10 o’clock.
Games last no more than two hours and thirty minutes (53 times, including six that lasted less than 2 hours). The Braves finally won a title, and Maddux was at the top of his game, yet the overwhelming emotion in Atlanta that year was rage.
SNY would absolutely be the broadcast that presents an innovative spin on the pitch clock. pic.twitter.com/V2pab3egeV
— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) March 31, 2023
Kerry Wood strikes out 20 Astros on May 6, 1998, tying the MLB record and earning the best Game Score ever (105). Despite what you may have heard, all of this was actually horrible since it was over so soon.
Game-day time: 2 hours 19 minutes. I feel sorry for everyone who had to witness this. It ruined my birthday!
On September 8, 1998, Mark McGwire hits home run No. 62 against the Cubs on national television, breaking the previous record of 61. That ought to have been a thrilling occasion for baseball and the entire globe.
Playtime: 2 hours and 46 minutes (mid-game celebrating included) Brutal. Recall how everyone detested having to watch it and how they whined the following day because the game didn’t last more than three hours?
Bryce Harper:
“I know a lot of players that want our game back…but it is what it is right now.”
The pitch clock sucks people. Don’t be confused. #MLB #RingTheBell
— Philly Sports – Love & Pain (@PHLSportsPain) April 3, 2023
On August 15, 2012, Felix Hernandez of the Mariners allegedly throws a “perfect” game while striking out 12 Rays. The 23rd and most recent “perfect” game in history is this one, if you will.
The game lasted 2 hours and 22 minutes. A flawless game? Whatever. All 21,889 people there that day claim they would have cheerfully switched viewing that bit of “history” in exchange for 50 more minutes at the stadium.
On May 10, 2022, Mike Trout hits two home runs (typically awesome), Shohei Ohtani, a robot, goes 2-for-5 (typically entertaining), a position player pitches (typically entertaining), Anthony Rendon homers while batting left-handed (typically amazing), the Angels defeat the Rays 12-0 (typically exciting for Angels fans), and, oh yeah, Reid Detmers throws a no-hitter (usually a cherished memory).
Playtime: 2 hours and 19 minutes . This could have been one of the most thrilling athletic moments ever. But you do see how the game is at that pitiful moment.
The Yankees-Giants game just wrapped up in 2 hours and 33 minutes.
There was just one pitch clock violation, and that would be the fastest average MLB game in 43 years.
This is going to make baseball so much better.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 30, 2023
Can anybody argue against these epic games and tell me that the shorter games are better? I don’t think so! So Pitch Clock is practically ruining the vibe!
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