Fans have been very split on the newly implemented pitch clock for the 2023 MLB season. And critics of the pitch clock will unfortunately have to deal with it for the remainder of the season, including the postseason.
The pitch clock was implemented to speed up the pace of play, and it has accomplished that task. However, some doubters of the pitch clock questioned how the pitch clock would impact high-leverage moments in big games once the postseason came around.
That question has yet to be answered, but we will soon find out…
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Friday that the MLB has decided to keep the same pitch clock rules throughout the postseason. This means that pitchers will have 15 seconds to make a pitch once the batter is in the box if there is no runners on base, and 20 seconds to pitch if runners are on base.
The pitch-clock rules used throughout the Major League Baseball season will remain the same during the 2023 postseason, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.
The rules: 15 seconds with no runners on, 20 seconds with runners on. Players had expressed hope for more time.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) September 1, 2023
Passan added that players had expressed hope that they would potentially expand the rules to give pitchers more time in postseason play. And it seems like most fans were in agreement on the front, as plenty around the MLB world took to social media to express their disappointment of this announcement.
Having a pitch clock for playoff baseball is unbelievably lame. The tension that builds between every pitch is so unique and thrilling. Removing that from a playoff atmosphere simply kinda sucks. https://t.co/J1k9lNeKYv
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) September 1, 2023
https://t.co/emTmDeCenq pic.twitter.com/qvmNGY7QeY
— Adam Scherer (@ShipMyMoneyDFS) September 1, 2023
I don’t mind the pitch clock in general but really don’t like this for the postseason. Emotions just run too high in that environment for big moments to be constrained by a time limit. https://t.co/K4TMPRi7UB
— heather 𓆉 (@heatherrxg) September 1, 2023
I really, really do not like this decision.
The playoff atmosphere with heightened moments and long gaps between pitches, where you can FEEL the pressure on both sides, is getting shredded by this.
Even a slight increase in time at least allows for more drama and build. https://t.co/nO0xli6kw0
— Cole Payne (@brngnthepayne) September 1, 2023
Feel like this is gonna hurt the drama of the playoff atmosphere more than it helps, but with how well this rule has played out so far you have to give it a shot and adjust next year if necessary. https://t.co/hmQWCOPcok
— Matt (@Letterbomber) September 1, 2023
Part of what makes postseason baseball so enjoyable to most fans is that these games are extremely meaningful, compared to the drawn-out games in the regular season.
Having a pitch clock could potentially make big moments in postseason games feel rushed, which could take out much of the enjoyability for baseball fans.
