Report: Pitch Clocks Working Exceedingly Well In Minors

The time is nearing for pitch clocks to make their way to a major league ballpark near you. Just as it showed in a limited trial last year in the minors, the pitch clock enforcement is once again speeding up games—and increasing game action—dramatically. 

JJ Cooper of Baseball America is reporting that a new strict enforcement of pitch clocks in minor league games last night resulted in over 25 minutes being shaved off the average game time. 

Pitchers have 14 seconds to throw a pitch with no one on base, and 18 seconds with a runner on base. Batters, as well, are being forced to stay in the box so as not to affect the pitcher's ability to stay within the time limit. 

The pace of play has been improved tremendously through these pitch clock experiments, increasing the likelihood that they will be appearing in the big leagues, as soon as next season.

Last night across the entire minor leagues, game times ran an average of 2:38, down from 3:04 the week before without the pitch clock constraints. As Cooper notes, the new stricter enforcement— which will continue through the full minor league season—is turning back the clock on continually expanding game times. 

Photo Credit: MATT DAYHOFF/JOURNAL STAR / USA TODAY NETWORK