How did Major League Baseball’s pitch timer change the pace of games in 2023?

In 2023, Major League Baseball implemented a pitch clock to address the increasing length of games, which had frequently exceeded three hours in previous years. By enforcing strict time limits between pitches—15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base—the rule successfully reduced the average length of a nine-inning game to 2 hours, 39 minutes and 49 seconds. This represented a decrease of nearly 24 minutes compared to the 2022 season.1

The pitch clock functions by requiring pitchers to begin their motion before the timer expires and mandating that batters be ready in the box by the 8-second mark; failure to comply results in an automatic ball or strike, respectively. Additionally, the rules limit the number of times a pitcher can step off the mound or attempt a pickoff to two per batter, further preventing unnecessary delays. While some critics argue that these changes have diminished the traditional, slower pace of the sport, the initiative has significantly accelerated the game's overall tempo.213