MLB to use neutral pitch clock operators for postseason games
Miami Marlins' Luis Arraez stand in the on-deck circle next to the pitch clock during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, July 16, 2023, in Baltimore. Major League Baseball is keeping the pitch clock the same for the postseason as it was for the regular season, brushing aside complaints from some players. Credit: AP/Terrance Williams
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will have neutral clock operators in the first postseason of pitch timers.
MLB evaluated each team’s clock operators during the regular season and said Friday it will select up to a dozen of the best performers for postseason games, which start Oct. 3.
A clock operator cannot work a postseason game involving the team whose games the operator times during the regular season.
In addition, each postseason series will have the same clock operator for all games of that series.
The average time of a nine-inning game has been reduced to 2 hours, 40 minutes from 3:04 last year, on track to be the fastest since 1984.
MLB set the clock at 15 seconds with no runners on base and 20 seconds with runners.
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The pitch clock is seen as Tampa Bay Rays' Luke Raley stands near the on deck circle in the second inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Baltimore. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
AP freelance writer Mark Didtler contributed to this report.
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