MLB keeping same pitch clock rules for postseason

Despite numerous requests from players, Major League Baseball will not be making any changes to its pitch clock rules for the postseason and will be sticking with the formula that has been used throughout the 2023 regular season.

That report comes from ESPN's Jeff Passan on Friday.

This was the first year baseball used a pitch clock at the Major League level, requiring pitches to be delivered within 15 seconds when the bases were empty and 20 seconds with runners on base. 

Players had requested an increase to those timeframes in the playoffs because of the greater importance of each pitch and to allow for more drama in big moments. 

The league did not agree with their position and is keeping things the way they are.

The whole purpose of the pitch clock was to speed up the pace of play. 

It has been a tremendous success as the league has shaved, on average, nearly 25 minutes off per game from last season. 

As much as some players initially objected to the rules, and even with their request for increased time in the playoffs, they have mostly adjusted to the new guidelines. Pitch clock violations have become incredibly rare as the season has gone on, and it should not be much of an issue in the postseason. 

Perhaps the biggest reason for the league's refusal to adjust them is that under the old rules, playoff games lasted even longer than regular season games. So if the whole point was to shorten the time of games, there was never going to be a chance they would go back in the playoffs after the success they have had in the regular season. 

The league introduced several changes this season along with the pitch clock, including the banning of infield shifts and the introduction of larger bases. 

These adjustments have led to a higher league-wide batting average and significantly more stolen bases across the sport. The games are faster and have more action than they did in recent years. 

The important thing to keep in mind is that it is not decreasing the amount of baseball you are seeing. You are seeing the same amount of baseball and better baseball with more balls in play and more stolen bases. What are you seeing less of is wasted time between the baseball. All of that is a win for everybody.