The “pitch clock” rule, which predicted the introduction of the second half of this year by professional baseball, is expected to have a significant impact on the reduction of game time.
The 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League played the opening game of the exhibition game at five stadiums nationwide on the 9th, recording an average game time of 2 hours and 44 minutes, 14 minutes shorter than last year’s average game time of 2 hours and 58 minutes.
Compared to last year’s average regular season time of 3 hours and 12 minutes, the game ended 28 minutes earlier.유흥알바
Although it is the first day, the biggest factor in reducing the average time of the exhibition game by 14 minutes is attributed to the pitch clock regulations that were piloted.
According to the pitch clock rule that the KBO introduced on a trial basis through the first half, a pitcher must throw the ball within 23 seconds when there is a runner or 18 seconds when there is no runner. In addition, a batter must complete preparation for batting eight seconds in advance. If a batter breaks this rule, the pitcher will be judged to be a ball, and the batter will be judged to be a strike.
The five-ball court umpires on the day did not impose balls or strikes on pitchers or hitters who violated pitch clock, but gave verbal warnings. As a result, the number of hitters was far higher than that of pitchers who were verbally warned in the 14th inning as they were pointed out to have violated pitch clock a total of 25 times.
Regarding the pitch clock, LG said it will actively observe the pitch clock from the exhibition game, but some teams have made internal policy that they will not care. However, as spectators showed keen interest in the pitch clock by counting down loudly at the stadium, both pitchers and batters felt a lot of pressure.
KBO will introduce an automatic pitching judgment system (ABS) this season and introduce various new rules such as prohibiting defensive shifts and expanding bases.
A KBO official said, “The pitch clock is being piloted due to opposition from some clubs, but if it is officially introduced in the second half of the year, it will be the rule that has the greatest impact on reducing game time.”