On the 25th and 26th (Korean time), when the major league demonstration game opened, pitchers and batters were very confused by the new rules.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has decided to introduce three new rules starting this year. Pitch clock (time limit for pitching), no defensive shift, and increased base size. Among them, the pitch clock is the one that is not easy for players to adapt to. In the limited time, the pitcher must throw, and the batter must finish preparing to hit.
When there are runners, the pitcher must throw the ball within 15 seconds of receiving the ball from the catcher. When there are runners, it is less than 20 seconds. The batter must come to bat no later than 8 seconds before the end of the pitcher’s pitching time limit.
The game between the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox was held on the 26th at Cool Today Park in Northport, Florida. At the bottom of the ninth inning, with the score tied 6-6, Atlanta left-hander Carl Conley struck out on a full count with two bases loaded, and the game ended in a tie. Referee John Lipka called Conley a strikeout when Conley did not return to the plate with eight seconds remaining on the pitching time limit. Conley, who was walking to first base thinking it was a walk, couldn’t help but make an absurd expression as if he didn’t know why.
After the game, Atlanta coach Brian Snicker expressed his discomfort, saying, “He gave a good idea why these rules should be started right now. You never know what will happen. It shows that such an event can happen today.” revealed 안전놀이터
Rumor has it that pitchers had a harder time adapting than hitters. Boston coach Alex Cora expressed his opinion, “I felt that the pitchers were in a hurry, but it seemed like they were throwing in 9 or 10 seconds. Time is running out. I want to tell the pitchers not to be impatient.”
“Once you get used to it, it’ll be a little more relaxed and all the players will go about their normal business, but the pitch clock is a little different,” said Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Theith. In the case of a pitch clock, it means that both the pitcher and hitter will have a hard time adjusting.
Regarding this, Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said, “I’m the type of person who goes slowly from waiting at bat to at bat. Right now, I’m trying to follow the rules. I want to get to the at bat quickly, so I can buy time to prepare for hitting.”
It should be seen that the unfamiliarity and discomfort that most players and coaches feel are larger than expected. However, it is a matter of adaptation anyway. MLB believes that players will be able to adapt sufficiently through a month-long demonstration game.
According to MLB, 90% of players in the minor leagues that first implemented pitch clock last year responded in a survey that they completed adaptation within one month. Fitz Clark violations were also 1.73 per game in the first week of implementation, but decreased to 0.53 in the sixth week.
Then, who is the pitch clock you care about the most? Perhaps it is Shohei Ohtani who is the ‘only’ two-time hitter. On the day of the starting pitcher, he has to pay attention to the new rules both on the mound and at bat, so it can be a double-high.
He said last year, “The biggest change is the newly introduced pitch clock rule. Currently, it is the biggest obstacle for me.” showed up
‘Pitcher’ Ohtani is in a situation where pitching intervals are very long in the major leagues, so we cannot help but worry. According to Statcast, Ohtani’s average time between pitches last year was 21.7 seconds without runners and 26.9 seconds with runners. Among the 759 pitchers surveyed, he ranked 681st without a runner and 726th with a runner. That means the pitching time is long. In particular, 29.9% of cases where it took more than 30 seconds when there were runners.
On the other hand, his speed at bat is moderate. However, Angels manager Phil Nevin said, “The pitchers from Japan, including Ohtani, are well prepared. They deal well with all possible situations and adapt diligently. I’m not worried.”
Ohtani will make his first exhibition game appearance against the Oakland Athletics on March 1, and he wonders how he will respond to his pitch clock.