The recent World Series, the 119th edition, brought forth a subtle yet revolutionary change that went unnoticed by many—the implementation of the pitch timer.
In a tournament where the Rangers and Diamondbacks collectively threw 1,490 pitches, not a single violation occurred, showcasing how time-keeping innovation has been integrated into the game. Surprisingly, most viewers remained oblivious to the presence of the pitch timer, and that’s precisely the greatest part of its success. Here is everything you need to know.
The Pitch Timer’s Inconspicuous Victory
Despite being the first World Series to adopt the pitch timer, the 119th edition stood out for reasons other than the clock ticking away in the background. Fox, in a wise decision, chose not to display the timer on screen, allowing the game to progress naturally without drawing unnecessary attention.
The pitch timer, once a subject of controversy during spring training, seamlessly became an accepted part of baseball. The pitch timer’s positive impact is evident in the postseason data, presenting a more efficient and engaging baseball experience.
The Data Says it All
A closer look at the postseason data reveals the remarkable improvements facilitated by the pitch timer. Notably, games this year were 21 minutes shorter than the previous year, accompanied by a 12% increase in runs. Not bad numbers!
The eradication of four-hour nine-inning games signifies a significant shift, offering fans a more action-packed and time-efficient spectacle. Stolen base attempts increased, with a higher success rate, and the batting average on balls in play also met with a substantial boost.
Player Adaptation
Human nature resists change, yet players, fans, and media adapted to the pitch timer, leading to a decline in violations throughout the season. The postseason witnessed just seven pitch-timer violations from over 11.8k pitches. While some argued that postseason games needed more time on the clock, Commissioner Manfred’s decision to maintain regular season rules in the postseason proved effective.
The argument against the pitch timer robbing postseason moments of drama proved unfounded, as the clock returned the game to a pace reminiscent of the ’80s and ’90s. And we love it.