Pirates' Rich Hill thinks MLB will make changes to pitch clock

Veteran Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Rich Hill has explained why he thinks MLB will make some adjustments to the polarizing pitch clock added for this season. 

"I think that fans pay good money to come to a Major League Baseball game to watch the pitcher face the hitter and the hitter face the pitcher," Hill said during the "Baseball Isn’t Boring" podcast, as shared by Ryan Gilbert of Audacy. "They don’t want to sit there…and see somebody come up to bat in a crucial situation in a tie ballgame and the pitcher on the mound in a crucial situation, and the umpire call time and say 'that’s strike three' or 'that’s ball four.' That is the ultimate non-competitive act." 

Per the new rules, pitchers have 15 seconds when the bases are empty and 20 seconds if a runner is on to make an offering toward home. Meanwhile, hitters must be in the batter's box with at least eight seconds on the clock. A pitcher who violates the clock rules is charged with a ball, while a hitter can be charged with a strike.

Hill recommends that MLB should "just put another five seconds on the clock" to "alleviate a lot of" issues and problems seen during spring training. For example, an early exhibition contest played in late February ended in a tie due to a pitch clock violation. 

Last week, New York Mets ace Max Scherzer was called for a balk during a game while trying to take advantage of the clock and "quick-pitch" a batter. Scherzer has also used the clock to disrupt an opponent's timing inside the box. 

"I’m not going to lie, that’s what I’m trying to do, too," Hill admitted. "But it’s complete BS because you’re putting the hitter at a disadvantage and I don’t want to face somebody when they’re not at their best, and how can you say they’re at their best and that’s not a competitive advantage when you’re quick-pitching guys or guys aren’t ready in the box. It’s not right."

Respectfully, Hill turns 43 years old on Saturday, so the league's new rules aren't necessarily meant for players of his age or experience. However, he suggested it's not just the older individuals inside the clubhouse who are bothered by the pitch clock.

"I would say in the locker room there’s not a lot of guys that are in favor of it. I would argue that that’s probably a lot of guys throughout baseball," Hill said. "It’s not an issue until it affects you."

It remains to be seen if MLB will make the type of "tweaks" to the pitch clock Hill anticipates during or after the upcoming season. For now, all everyone involved can do is try to get used to the new pitcher-versus-hitter format that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.