This season, the American Major League Baseball (MLB) is seeking various rule changes. In the background, there is a strong intention to ‘reduce the game time’.스포츠토토 This is because the average time per game has increased since the video reading system was applied. As of last year, the average time per MLB game was 3 hours and 3 minutes. It’s 7 minutes less than in 2021 (3 hours and 10 minutes), but it’s still long. Since 2016, the average time per MLB game has not fallen below 3 hours. Compared to 2003, when it was 2 hours and 46 minutes, the difference is quite large. 

Among the many revised regulations, the MLB Secretariat is looking forward to the pitch clock. In the past, the pitch clock was applied only when a runner was on base, but not this time. According to the new rule, the pitcher must complete the pitch within 15 seconds after receiving the ball from the catcher even when there are no runners. 20 seconds with runners. Violation of this will result in a ball being declared. The MLB Secretariat, which applied this rule in the minor leagues last year, did not hide its expectations, saying that the game time was reduced by about 30 minutes. In the end, the ultimate goal is to make the average time per game around 2 hours and 30 minutes. MLB is about third in popularity among the four major American professional sports (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), and reducing game time is considered the most important factor to raise this ranking and attract young fans.

In the ongoing MLB demonstration game, players and situations that failed to adapt to the changed rules are attracting attention. In the match between the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox held on the 26th (Korean time) at Cool Today Park in Northport, Florida, the pitch clock was applied at the bottom of the 9th inning with a full count, and the game automatically ended in a 6-6 tie. As infielder Carl Conley entered the plate, he caught his breath and stepped into the plate, but the pitch clock was already over. When the pitch clock runs, batters must go to bat with at least 8 seconds remaining. 7 seconds with no runners. If a situation like this had happened during the regular season, it would have been a laughable situation. At first glance, the pitch clock may seem like a pressure factor for the pitcher, but so does the batter. It wasn’t until 12 seconds after the opposing pitcher received the ball from the catcher that Conley was ready to hit.

How about Korean professional baseball? Last year, the KBO League averaged 3 hours and 11 minutes per game. It was 7 minutes longer than MLB. It’s 3 minutes faster than the 2021 season, but I’m trying to shorten the time even more. This year, the goal is 3 hours and 5 minutes, which is 6 minutes faster. During the game, the coaches’ visit to the mound will be limited to 30 seconds, and the pitch clock will be 12 seconds faster than MLB’s when there are no runners. If you exceed the time for the first time, you will be judged as a ball, and if you violate the time for the second time, you will be fined 200,000 won. In the case of a hitter, the so-called ‘out-of-the-bats restriction’, which requires one foot to be at bat, is strictly applied. If this is also violated, the fine is 200,000 won.

I think how about imposing something like a continuous ball judgment that affects the game itself rather than a fine rule that puts responsibility on individual players. Wouldn’t it be more fair to let the hitter be judged for a strike? Is it not more baseball-like that can affect not only one’s own performance but also the team’s win or loss? I wonder if it is only my thoughts that I think that the expression, ‘You threw late or were not prepared at the plate, so pay the fine’ could rather arouse the players’ antipathy.