MLB Rule Change: Pitch Clock's Impact
We examine game-length reductions and rhythm effects from the 2023 pitch-clock rules.
The pitch clock introduced in 2023 cut average MLB game times by more than 30 minutes.
Many Japanese pitchers were already tempo-driven from their NPB days, so adaptation has been relatively smooth.
For hitters, the effect has been larger — some have struggled to manage timing within the box.
Secondary effects include higher stolen base totals and shifts in walk rates.