With the pitch clock in effect for the 2023 MLB season, New York Mets fans found a tactic to throw off opposing pitchers.
Ahead of the 2023 season, MLB revealed that they would be implementing a pitch clock to speed up the pace of play. Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw a pitch to a batter when there are no runners on base. When there are runners on base, the pitcher’s time will increase to 20 seconds. The new rules were officially introduced in spring training, and received mixed reactions. Some loved how quicker the games have become, while others complained that a pitch clock wasn’t needed.
It was only a matter of time until fans tried to trick a pitcher.
During the exhibition game against the Washington Nationals, a New York Mets fans loudly counted down the clock, albeit different from the actual time on the pitch clock, to throw off pitcher Victor Arano. Straight out of college basketball’s playbook!
Mets fans already using pitch clock against the opposition
That is one way to try and throw off the opposing pitcher. But based off what happened in this clip, the strategy didn’t work, as Arano threw a strike to Mets outfielder Tommy Pham. Expect there to be some fans who attempt this during the regular-season.
While the pitch clock does have an effect on the pitcher, it also has an effect on the batter. For each at-bat, the hitter has eight seconds to get ready and receive a pitch. If they are unable to do so, they will be assessed an automatic strike. That was perhaps most evidenced in the Atlanta Braves-Boston Red Sox spring training game.
On Feb. 25, the Braves had runners on all bases, and Cal Conley had the chance to knock in some runs to win the game. But on a 3-2 count, Conley didn’t get set by the eight-second mark, and was assessed a strike, which then became an out. So a potential walk-off was null and void, since Conley wasn’t ready to receive the pitch.
The pitch clock has become a huge story in MLB, due to it being a new rule. Some in the Mets fanbase have already found a way to try and exploit it at the expense of the opposition.