Cleveland Guardians, other teams adjusting to new set of MLB rules
CLEVELAND — Game times are faster. The pace is quicker. Umpires are calling violations and moving things along. Every player has to have a higher sense of urgency.
This is baseball’s new world.
Major League Baseball’s set of rule changes for the 2023 season represent a substantial shift in how the game is played today. The pitch clock, in particular, is proving to have an impact.
Searching for a spark:Josh Bell is getting back to basics as he settles into Guardians lineup
The possible key:As Guardians try to find Triston McKenzie’s replacement, Hunter Gaddis finds his curveball
Of the Guardians’ first eight games this season, half were under 2 hours and 41 minutes. One was played in 2:04, the fastest Cleveland game since 2011. Only two games went over the three-hour mark, and only one was more than the MLB average from last year of three hours, six minutes. And that’s all with the Guardians already playing three extra-inning games.
But the applied effect of the pitch clock isn’t as simple as just watching the pitch clock wind down. One question is how it really impacts pitchers and batters who are now rushed — and if rushed isn’t the right term, they at least need to hustle — to be ready.
Remembering John Adams:Guardians honor iconic fan John Adams. Fellow drummer Patrick Carney: ‘He will be missed’
MLB’s rule changes called for a pitch clock (in which umpires can call automatic strikes and balls) in addition to limits on how often pitchers and step off the mound and how often hitters can call time during an at-bat. That leads to a few new scenarios that players didn’t need to contend with prior to 2023.
For example, if a pitcher has already stepped off the mound and reached that limit, what happens if he and the catcher aren’t on the same page? Or, regardless of that, what if the pitch clock is winding down and they can’t agree?
It’s a work in progress for all involved.