Bottom of the ninth. Tie game. Bases loaded. Full count. The dream scenario. And ... Cal Conley didn't get set in the batter's box with 8 seconds left on the pitch clock.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 25, 2023
Umpire calls an automatic strike. At-bat over. Inning over. This is the new reality. pic.twitter.com/Bv5k2xJ06j
I'm on the fence about the 20-second clock. On the one hand, it has already proven that it speeds up the game, even though umpires (technically) already had the ability to do so. That said, to end a game on something like this is a frustrating consequence of the change, even if it is only spring training.
ReplyDeleteOf course, if baseball REALLY wants to speed up the game, they might consider shorting the commercial breaks between half-innings or using automated ball-and-strike calls... but I forget that Manfred wants to RUIN baseball, as you noted.