The new pitching clock is going to take some time to get used to. It will no doubt determine quite a few games during the 2023 season.
Pitchers aren’t the only one who need to get accustomed to moving faster, the hitters do too as well.
San Diego Padres star Manny Machado committed the first pitch clock violation in a spring training game as he got docked a strike call for taking to long to get back into the batter’s box when the clock reached 8 seconds.
The home plate umpire called timeout, pointed to his wrist, and then said “0-1.”
Machado then singled.
“That time came by quick,” Machado said after the game, which breezed by in 2 hours, 29 minutes, similar to the 2:33 time of Friday’s other game between the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. “It’s definitely something we’re going to have to get used to. It kind of takes away your routine, being up there and zoning in before the pitch. The umpire gave me a little warning — ‘Hey, you got 2 seconds’ — but I was already late when I got in there.”
Pitchers have 15 seconds to start their delivery when the bases are empty and 20 seconds with runners on base.
Pitchers and batters will need to get used to this now they do not cost their team in the regular season when the games really start to count.
