MLB Twitter reacts to first look at pitch clock in Spring Training game: "If it hits zero the pitcher explodes", "Am I crazy for liking this"
The controversial new MLB pitch clock made its Spring Training debut Friday in a game between the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres. Padres starting pitcher Nick Martinez was the first to work under the new timing guidelines, facing Seattle's Kolten Wong as the large countdown ticked backwards from 15 seconds before each pitch.
Your first look at MLB's pitch clock https://t.co/L2iTEbDivV
The game was televised by Bally Sports as Padres broadcasters Don Orsillo and Mark Grant — Grant himself a former MLB pitcher — described the action with equal parts humor and awe.
"And Martinez is on the clock," Grant said, taking a page from the famed draft day quote from a number of professional sports teams.
"Gotta go," Orsillo said multiple times during the first pitch clock at-bat.
Baseball fans' reactions were all over the map as they made their feelings known upon seeing the spectacle.
@TalkinBaseball_ @JomboyMedia If it hits zero the pitcher explodes.
Thoughts on the pitch clock? I thought I would hate it but I kindaaaaaaa don't.... #SpringTraining twitter.com/TalkinBaseball…
@TalkinBaseball_ This is distracting as hell. It can't stay there.
MLB's pitch clock, one of a number of new guidelines that the league is implementing for 2023 and going forward to speed up the game, is also one of the most divisive. Many fans are applauding the new technology.
I can’t imagine how any fan could hate this twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
Am I crazy for liking this twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
See y’all, the pitch clock works. This is great! twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
Of course, many fans are on the opposite side of the fence with varying degrees of displeasure. The clock makes some fans itchy, while others are seemingly becoming nauseous.
Hmmmmmm… not sure I like this twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
I already hate it twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
Absolutely disgusting twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
Several MLB fans are concerned as to how the sudden quickening of the game — not to mention the large clock — will affect their viewing experience. Will the clock become the focal point of viewers, rather than the interaction between pitcher and batter?
This is gonna take a minute to get used to twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
@TalkinBaseball_ I can already see myself missing an entire at bat because I’m busy looking at the stadium environment
Omg I’m gonna spend all my ocd obsessing over that clock twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
But there is still going to be quite a long educational curve regarding the pitch clock and what it means if the timer hits zero. It's just a ball. Nothing else bad happens to the pitcher.
They kill the pitcher if it hits zero twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
MLB set on picking up the pace in 2023 and beyond
For the record, here are the guidelines behind the new MLB pitch clock:
- There will be a 30-second timer between batters.
- Between pitches, a 15-second timer will be in place with the bases empty and a 20-second timer with runners on base.
- A batter must be in the box and ready to receive the pitch by the 8-second mark.
- Pitchers that violate the timer will be charged a ball, batters that violate the timer will be charged a strike.
- The timer is reset if the pitcher steps off the rubber or attempts a pick-off throw with a runner on base, but the pitcher is limited to two attempts.