Why the pitch clock rule should not be used in the MLB playoffs

The new addition of the pitch clock seems to be doing its job early on in this MLB season. Pace of play is up, with overall game time being cut down. All things considered, there haven’t been that many violations thus far.

However, I am not a fan of the new rule for several reasons. I understand trying to increase pace of play, but the game feels unnecessarily rushed at certain points because of it. For some people sitting on their couch, having to dedicate less time to watching an MLB matchup might be nice, but to me, it just means more time watching commercials.

It’s a couch rule, it is pandering to people at home watching on television and did not factor in how it affects the people who actually pay their hard-earned money to be at the ballpark. It’s like going to a restaurant, and the waiter brings out your entree with your appetizer because they want to get you out of the restaurant quicker. You’re supposed to enjoy your time at the ballpark. Fans travel from all over to go to their favorite team’s stadium, and to feel like you’ve been rushed out of there is not what people want.

To be perfectly clear: I am not an against change in baseball. I love the new shift rule!

I’m willing to put my disdain for the rule aside for the regular season. It was something I did for the runner on second in extra innings rule, which was implemented during the 2020 season and kept ever since. I hate that rule, but in the end, I have learned to live with it. I’m sure I will learn to live with the pitch clock as well. That being said, like the extra inning rule the pitch clock cannot, under any circumstances, be allowed in the playoffs.

Side note: the two pickoff rule is also not great, but it has increased stolen bases so far this year. Again, this shouldn’t be utilized in the playoffs.

I can already hear the fans saying, “Just follow the rules and it won’t be a problem,” which is such a shallow stance on the argument. Players are aware and are trying to adapt to the new rule, and they’re pretty good at it thus far, but the playoffs are a completely different environment. It’s far more intense, with every pitch having a greater impact more and more as the game goes on. Sometimes batters (and pitchers) need to collect their emotions and thoughts during tense moments, or after a big play. If a third party like the pitch clock is affecting those moments, it will hurt the product, I promise you.

Please imagine a scenario where the final out of the World Series is decided by a pitch clock violation because the batter was set at seven seconds instead of eight. Riots would ensue. Before you compare it to the Super Bowl being decided by a pass interference call, it is not even remotely the same, because the pass interference directly affects the ball when it is in play. A more direct comparison would be like having a delay of game penalty on fourth down and getting a turnover.

At the very least, for the rest of the regular season, the MLB needs to be willing to make some tweaks. I know there is no hope in getting it eradicated forever, but the rule is far from perfect.

I am here, very much publicly, begging MLB to please not have this rule in the playoffs. It is the highest form of baseball and the most intense, there is no need to have it involved. The pitch clock wasn’t used in the World Baseball Classic and the viewership was fantastic, the pace was great, and everyone was excited to watch.

Pace of play shouldn’t matter to MLB in the postseason. Just let baseball be baseball.