TICK-TOCK: Pitch clock getting positive reviews in minor league baseball

Major League Baseball implemented a pitch clock at all levels of minor league baseball this season. It is expected to be included at the major league level next season. (Tim Gayle)

By GRAHAM DUNN

The uniqueness of baseball was that it never had a clock.

That is, until now.

With the pace of play in professional baseball lagging for many years, officials in the game chose to break precedent and add a pitch clock with the idea to speed up play.

So far, the intended outcome has been achieved. Major League Baseball regularly produces numbers that show length of games, time wise, has decreased in the minors to an average of 2:36, which is down from 3:04 a year ago.

The Biscuits have enjoyed much shorter games including one that was just 1 hour, 48 minutes back in April. Another on the road was just an hour and 32 minutes.

Among the Biscuits personnel, no one is complaining.

“I love it. I love the pitch clock,” Biscuits manager Morgan Ensberg states. “It has erased a lot of the fluff and caused everybody to have a little bit of tempo which makes the game better and the quality of play improve. It is throughout the minor leagues so they are used to (using it).”

“I like the pitch clock,” added pitcher Jayden Murray. “I’ve always been fast. It doesn’t bother me too much. Holding the ball with runners on and you can look at the clock and see how much time you have.

“When it does hit :00 and the guy starts his delivery, it takes time to call timeout. So it works.”

The clocks - located in the left-field corner and to the right of the visitor dugout on the first-base side at Riverwalk - has been a conversational piece for fans for the last two years. They first appeared during the 2021 season but umpires did not enforce their usage.

“It was for show, I think,” stated outfielder Kameron Misner. “I’m not sure too many players made much of it but we knew there was going to be some sort of clock used (this season).”

“I can remember if it was six weeks (into this season), where the clock was going but the umpire wasn’t enforcing it,” Ensberg said. “They told us we are not going to enforce it until (a particular) date so we could get used to it. We figured it out very quickly and actually the transition went quite smooth.”

At the majors level, time has crept up to well over three hours in average. The last time a game averaged less than three hours was the early 1980s. The current average time of a game 3:05.

Plenty of attempts have been made to speed up the process - everything from not allowing a batter to leave the box to shortening the pause between innings. For the most part, players and managers fought any change, enjoying the leisureness and flow.

After plenty of study, MLB announced five years ago it would begin experimenting with a pitch clock in the minor leagues, beginning with a few spring training games in 2018. It would go into affect at the Lower Class-A level in 2019. In 2021, it expanded to all leagues but was not enforced.

Then came this season. The clock is very much a part of the game.

During the experimental time, it worked, to a point. Game times decreased by a few minutes but the players also found loopholes to add time to the clock. Originally, batters might step out and the clock would reset. Pitchers would throw to first, also resetting the clock.

Now, three years later, the clock reached full usage in all levels of minor league baseball and the rules were rounded to 14 second-limits when no runners were on to 18 seconds with “ducks on the pond.”

The next pitch must be thrown within 30 seconds after an out is made. Any violation of the pitch clock results in a ball called.

Loopholes were closed. Pitchers can step off the rubber just twice (including to throw to a base) in a single at-bat while batters can step out once.

The new rule recently helped the Biscuits in a win over Biloxi when the Shuckers were called for a clock violation. That eventually led to a walk with the bases loaded and a walk-off win.

“He was really late,” catcher Blake Hunt said of the situation. “I think this is working. The rules are outlined pretty clearly. Pitcher and catcher have a chance to call timeout twice in an at-bat. I don’t think it will change and it is here to stay.”

There are a few pitfalls. Players admit they don’t have as much time to reset in the field after running down a ball.

“You can’t catch your breath as much,” Hunt said. “Pitch calls when runners are on second base has changed. We have to be a lot shorter and quicker with our signals especially when guys shake (off a sign) because there is only 18 seconds. Only a handful of times have we had pitch clock called on us. You have to be quicker calling pitches and think quicker.”

Most pitchers have adjusted and like the idea of knowing how much time is left before firing to home plate. For others, it's old hat.

“I don’t think about it much,” stated starter Mason Montgomery. “I always like to go a faster pace so it works in my advantage.”

“I think the real impact is for the pitchers, it might be tough for them,” outfielder Jordan Qsar said. “But it does speed up the game. It keeps a good flow going. Even if the guy is dealing with trouble, he can take a deep breath. As a hitter, they can’t shake off as much. It is more hitter friendly than pitcher friendly.”

There are situations where umpires give leeway. Murray was told during a game in which the field was wet and the clock would run but not be enforced.

“The umpire told me to not worry about the pitch clock since it was raining,” he said. “If you have to step off and clean your cleats or dry off your hand, take your time. That was nice. Other than that, I haven’t seen an umpire say ‘pitch the ball.’”

The clock is expected to make its debut at the Major League level next season but it must be approved by the players’ association. They are expected to pass it but there might be an adjustment or two.

Minor league players are already adapting and will be prepared once they reach “the Show.”

Whatever opinions players might have, the pitch clock is apparently here to stay.

The Biscuits open a six-game homestand on Tuesday against Pensacola with “Alabama Weekend” starting with Golden Biscuits at 6:35 p.m., followed by Military Wednesday and then the Sweet Grown T-shirt giveaway and Thirsty Thursday. On Friday, Outdoors Night - Tribute to Humidity - then College Football Night and fireworks Saturday at 6:05 p.m. Sunday is Kids Water Bottle Giveaway and Bark In the Park Sunday at 3:33 p.m.