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A16 SPORTS
Friday 7 July 2023

Is MLB’s pitch clock leading to better defense?

By STEVE MEGARGEE tion and knowing myself as
AP Sports Writer a fielder, I would think it’s
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The a good thing. You know,
pitch clock may be bother- being able to keep it mov-
ing players as they step to ing. I know we always liked
the plate, but they like it a a pitcher that worked fast,
whole lot better once they right? It felt like you were
put on their gloves and more on your toes, more
take the field. alert. So I would think there’s
While the rule changes put something to that, but it’s
in place this year to speed not necessarily something
up the pace of play have that I’ve taken away from
garnered plenty of atten- it so far.”
tion for how they’ve af- Boone’s opinion is some-
fected hitters and pitchers, thing of a consensus.
some players and manag- When players and manag-
ers say the new guidelines ers were asked by The As-
also are positively impact- sociated Press if they be-
ing defense. lieved the pitch clock had
The pitch clock in particular impacted fielding, they of-
an idea meant to make it ten said they hadn’t really
easier for fans to stay fo- considered that possibility.
cused on the field may be Then, after thinking about it
keeping fielders locked in, for a little bit, many of them
too. at least partially agreed
“I think it’s helping defen- with Counsell’s opinion.
sively a lot, just because “There’s more action,” Mar-
you don’t have the down iners manager Scott Servais
time to really kind of walk said. “They’re not on their
around,” said Seattle Mari- heels as much, they’re
ners second baseman Kol- ready for the ball to be put
ten Wong, a two-time Gold in play, things are happen-
Glove winner. The pitch clock ticks down in the top of the ninth in a baseball game between the Texas Rangers ing quicker, less standing
“You’re not cleaning dirt, and Philadelphia Phillies in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, April 2, 2023. Associated Press around.”
you’re constantly back Brewers infielder Owen Mill-
and forth, back and forth, Counsell, asked this season make it tough for fielders to best indicator. Fielding per- er has noticed that as well.
back and forth. So, I’m a about left fielder Christian maintain their focus. centages have been rising “I think just the flow of the
big fan of it.” Yelich’s improving glove- “It’s still your job, but (the steadily for decades thanks game is a lot better,” Miller
The pitch clock adopted work, landed on the clock slow pace) was making it in part to improved field said.
this year along with limits as a key contributor. After really hard, I think especial- conditions and equipment, “You just have less time in
on infield shifts and several ranking among the bottom ly for outfielders,” Counsell and last year’s fielding per- between pitches, so espe-
other rules gives pitchers 10 left fielders last year with said. centage was .985. The met- cially infielders are a little bit
15 seconds between deliv- minus-5 Outs Above Aver- Arizona Diamondbacks first ric also relies on subjective lighter and quicker on their
eries if there are no baser- age, Yelich is third this sea- baseman Christian Walker decisions by official scorers feet.”
unners and 20 seconds with son with 3 OAA, per Base- indicated it was an issue for and doesn’t factor for a Players and managers
someone aboard. ball Savant. infielders as well. player’s range. across the league see evi-
There’s no doubt that “It’s definitely not something “When you’ve been stand- It’s also hard to pull trends dence of better fielding.
games are faster. The av- I’d thought of, but I think it’s ing out there for 15-20 min- from advanced defensive Whether that’s because of
erage game length of 2 easier to play defense now utes and you get a ground metrics because of the lim- the pitch clock or due to
hours, 40 minutes is the the way the game is struc- ball hit at you, I know that’s its placed on infield shifts other factors remains up for
shortest since 1984. Games tured because it’s just fast- been a challenge in the between the 2022 and ‘23 debate.
had lasted an average of er-paced,” Counsell said. past, in long innings, staying seasons. “I think the engagement
at least 3 hours every year “That’s best for defenders. I locked in,” Walker said. That leaves it up to the part helps,” Diamondbacks
from 2012-22. don’t think hitters like it still, It’s hard to find empiri- notoriously unreliable eye outfielder Alek Thomas
That change was expect- to be honest with you. And cal evidence to support test to determine whether said. “You’re paying at-
ed. But some players and pitchers don’t like it. But I or dispute the theory. The there’s any difference. tention, not looking to the
coaches say they’ve been think it’s great for defend- league-wide fielding per- “I don’t think I’ve necessar- crowd. Then again, maybe
pleasantly surprised by how ers.” centage of .986 through ily noticed that,” New York it’s just more athletic peo-
it’s changed things on de- Counsell said the lengthy Tuesday’s games is the Yankees manager Aaron ple out there making good
fense. delays between pitches highest in the sport’s histo- Boone said. “My gut, or plays.”q
Milwaukee manager Craig in previous seasons could ry, but that may not be the hearing you ask that ques-