MLB Solution # 5: Forget the Pitch Clock- Bring on the Pitch Count
If there’s one thing we can all agree on about Major League Baseball, it’s that there are too many pitches. The modern sports fan craves action, and there’s nothing exciting about throwing a ball. Probably the only thing less interesting than that is watching someone repeatedly just make contact with a ball, over and over again.
I mean, I’m never making solid contact with even an 80 mph pitch. But after a bit of practice in the cages, I can usually foul a few off — with nothing special about that. Foul balls are boring.
So let’s put a six-pitch limit on every at-bat. As in, after six pitches, you’re either on base or automatically out.
Why This Works For Major League Baseball
It’s totally worth considering. If a guy can’t get on base after six pitches, he doesn’t deserve to get there. Now, some of you might be objecting because any decent pitcher would start every at-bat by throwing two balls. Maybe three if you’re Clayton Kershaw. C’mon now- these guys are big leaguers. Three chances to get a hit is plenty.
Once again, the result is a considerable uptick in aggressive at bats. Strikeouts go way up in this scenario. Home runs stay about the same: some nights aces will shut down offenses, others will see sluggers teeing off on middle tier pitchers forced to throw over the plate. A walk- the most mind-numbingly dull play in sports- actually becomes an exciting and gutsy play.
Let’s face it. If Abner Doubleday had had Facebook and penicillin, he would have thought of this one himself.
There’s no downside here. Also, a fun medical bonus comes with this idea. This might even actually put less mileage on those precious pitching arms. Investment protected, and inattentive fans engaged.
Moving on…