MLB’s Pitch Clock Leads to Faster Games, Increased Offense, and Record-Breaking Steals
In the latest development in Major League Baseball (MLB), the introduction of a pitch clock has led to faster games, increased offense, and record-breaking stolen bases. The average duration of a nine-inning MLB game dropped by 24 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes in the first year of implementing the pitch clock. Along with this significant time reduction, there have been notable changes in batting average, stolen bases, and overall gameplay.
One of the key benefits of the new pitch clock has been seen by left-handed hitters. The restrictions imposed on defensive shifts have given them an advantage, enabling them to make the most of their opportunities at the plate. Additionally, runners have capitalized on the slightly decreased distance between bases, resulting in more stolen bases. In fact, the 2022 season witnessed the highest number of stolen bases in almost four decades.
Moreover, average fastball velocity reached another record, displaying the remarkable speed and talent of pitchers. The adoption of the pitch clock has played a crucial role in bringing the game back to its 1985 level, with an average game time below the three-hour mark. Even the record of the longest games has seen a significant reduction, with only nine games surpassing the 3.5-hour mark, compared to the record-breaking 390 in 2021.
Critical to note is the mixed response of players regarding the pitch clock. While some initially faced difficulties adjusting to the faster pace of the game, many have come to appreciate the positive impact on game flow and overall enjoyment. As Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa points out, once players become accustomed to the new system, the game becomes faster and more engaging. He believes that the pitch clock is here to stay.
The introduction of the pitch clock has been widely regarded as a smooth and successful transition, as players and fans have been able to enjoy shorter game durations. Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith expressed his satisfaction with the change, highlighting the advantage of being able to head home earlier without enduring four-hour-long matches.
When it comes to the fastest average game times by team, the Miami Marlins took the lead with games lasting just under 2 hours and 35 minutes. On the other end of the spectrum, the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres had the longest average game times in the league at 2 hours and 44 minutes.
As for the postseason, which is the pinnacle of MLB competition, the pitch clock is set to remain unchanged. Last year, nine-inning playoff games lasted an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes. While some players may not be entirely supportive of the pitch clock, acknowledging the need for reflection and strategic decision-making in crucial moments, they recognize that it has become an integral part of the game.
Moving forward, players and teams will need to adapt their strategies to the pitch clock during October’s postseason games. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto suggests being more mindful of time and potentially utilizing extra mound visits to slow the game down and support pitchers.
To ensure compliance with the pitch clock, MLB implemented penalties for violations, including penalties against pitchers and batters. The New York Mets had the most violations with 57, closely followed by the Tampa Bay Rays (52) and Pittsburgh Pirates (51). Conversely, the Seattle Mariners had the fewest violations with just 15.
Specifically, pitcher violations were led by the Pirates with 41, followed by the New York Yankees with 37, and the Mets and Rays tied with 36 each. Comparatively, the Mariners had the fewest pitcher violations, totaling only six. In terms of batter violations, the Washington Nationals topped the list with 17, closely followed by the Mets and Marlins. Surprisingly, the St. Louis Cardinals had the fewest batter violations, with just two, one less than the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox.
While the new restrictions on defensive shifts have helped left-handed batters, the MLB’s pitch clock has had a positive impact on overall offensive statistics. The league-wide batting average increased from .243 in the previous year to .248, marking the highest average since 1968. Left-handed hitters experienced an 11-percentage-point surge in average, reaching .247, the highest in four years. Right-handed hitters also saw a two-percentage-point increase, bringing their average to .249.
Furthermore, the introduction of 18-inch square bases, increased from 15 inches, contributed to a rise in stolen bases. The reduced distance between bases resulted in a total of 3,503 stolen bases during the season, surpassing the 2,486 steals from the previous year and becoming the highest number of steals recorded since 1987. Moreover, the success rate for stolen bases reached an all-time high of 80.2 percent, surpassing the 2021 figure of 75.7 percent.
Although home runs increased to 5,868 from 5,215, they remained below the record-breaking 6,776 set in 2019. On the other hand, batters struck out 41,844 times, slightly up from 40,812, but not reaching the peak of 42,823 set in 2019.
Pitchers continued to display their exceptional talent, with four-seam fastballs averaging 94.2 mph, a slight increase from the previous season’s 93.9 mph and a significant jump from 93.1 mph in 2015, the first year of Statcast tracking. Additionally, there were 3,880 pitches of 100 mph or more, an increase from 3,368 in the previous year and 1,829 in 2020. The frequency of four-seam fastball usage decreased slightly to 32.2 percent, down from 33.2 percent in 2022, but still below the 36 percent peak recorded in 2016.
In terms of extra-inning games, the rule starting extra innings with a runner on second became a permanent feature of MLB last year. Visiting teams had the upper hand in the first year of implementation, winning 105 out of 201 extra-inning games. Since the rule’s initial adoption in 2020 as a pandemic-related alteration, visitors have held a 368-358 advantage over home teams. In the years prior to the rule, home teams had a 312-294 edge in extra-inning games from 2017 to 2019.
Overall, the implementation of the pitch clock in MLB has led to faster games, increased offense, and record-breaking stolen bases. While players had to adapt to the new system, many have embraced the faster pace and improved game flow. The effect on batting average, stolen bases, and overall gameplay has been evident, providing fans with an exciting and engaging experience. With the success of the pitch clock in its first year, it is likely to remain a permanent feature of MLB, transforming the future of the game.
