MLB Looking at Possibly Implementing Another Major Rule Change in 2024

Could Major League Baseball really reduce the pitch clock with runners on base from 20 seconds to 18 seconds? Apparently so.

According to ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan, Major League Baseball could look at another major rule change for the 2024 season.

Per Passan's story, which can be read in full HERE:

Major League Baseball's competition committee is weighing a proposal that would reduce the pitch clock with runners on base from 20 seconds to 18 next season, aiming to reverse a late-season trend that saw the average time of game increase by seven minutes, sources told ESPN.

MLB's competition committee, which includes six members representing teams, four players and one umpire, heard the proposal to shave the clock as well as cut down mound visits from five per game to four, sources said

The 15-second clock without runners on base would remain the same, sources said.

The competition committee can implement a change to on-field rules with 45 days' notice to players after a proposal. Players are currently discussing the proposal and expect to go back to the committee with suggestions on potential adjustments, sources said.

Now, this is just one writer's opinion, but that seems unnecessary. If anything, pitchers have wanted to go to 20 seconds all the time for the pitch clock; we haven't heard any pitcher say they NEVER want 20 seconds available to them.

I understand that baseball wants quick games that are full of pace and action, but pitchers also deserve the ability to hold runners and think about things like pitch location, type and sequencing. 

Pitching is still an art that requires thinking and further compressing the pitchers' time seems to take away from their ability to do so, either about the pitch itself, or about the runners that they are holding. Pitchers going faster, more often, could also lead to increased injuries for pitchers. Passan mentioned that as a concern of players as well.

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