Will the automatic pitching judgment system (ABS) or pitch clock, which will be introduced to the KBO League starting this season, be successful? At the same time, he accepted the new system and expressed discontent.
Ahead of the opening game of the exhibition game between the SSG Landers and the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on Tuesday, Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyung said, “The fact that the number of checks is limited does not make sense in baseball. We should talk about that and not do it.”
The Korea Baseball Organization will make a revolution ahead of this season. Along with the Major League Baseball (MLB), the team introduced pitch clock (in which a pitcher or batter starts playing within a fixed time), expanded base size, and restricted defensive shift, and ABS, known as “robot referee” will be applied to the first team before the U.S. 고수익알바
Pitch Clock will be piloted in the first half of this year. The KBO stated, “The focus is not on sanctions for violations, but on adapting the team and maintaining a smooth flow of play.” Specifically, a pitcher must pitch within 23 seconds with a runner on base, or 18 seconds with no runner on base. Violation of this rule is treated as a ball. Batters must complete their batting preparation by the time the eight seconds are marked within the pitch clock. If not followed, a strike is awarded.
In addition, in order to prevent the application of the pitch clock rule, the “out of the pitcher’s plate” imposed when a pitcher steps out of the pitcher’s plate when there is a runner, such as an attempt to check and pretending to throw a check ball, is allowed without restrictions up to three times per at-bat.
It is still a trial period. In the meantime, only verbal warnings will be given instead of ball and strike sanctions, and restrictions on departure from pitcher boards will not be applied. KBO said, “The timing and whether to apply sanctions for violations will be determined later after thoroughly reviewing the results of operations in the first half of the year. In the Futures League, the Peach Clock regulations, including sanctions for violations, will be fully applied.”
Introducing pitch clock is aimed at reducing game time. This effect has already been proven in the Major League Baseball as well. Since entering the three-hour period in nine innings last season, MLB has increased its game time to three hours and 10 minutes in 2021, while shooting three hours and three minutes in the 2022 season. However, since last year, the game time has decreased to two hours and 39 minutes on average in nine innings.
However, there were some complaints. According to the Houston Chronicle, a U.S. media outlet, Ryan Pressley, 36, said, “I’m an Old School student. That’s why I don’t really like Peach Clock that much.” To this end, the Secretariat finally institutionalized Peach Clock, which was originally set to be introduced in 2019. In addition, the secretariat held two rule briefing sessions for the media in Florida and Arizona ahead of last season, making all-out efforts to form a friendly public opinion.
On the surface, there was a loud voice of approval in the KBO league. Last year, LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (56) said, “Only when pitch clock is introduced can there be a lot of stolen bases, and we can show exciting and fast baseball.” Kiwoom Heroes manager Hong Won-ki (51) also said, “If we say we shorten the duration of the game for our fans, we should follow suit.” However, the risk of injury can increase as the rhythm of pitchers or hitters is broken. In fact, pitcher Drew Ruczynski (36), who played in the KBO League in the past, was sluggish in Oakland last year with four losses and an ERA of 9.00 in four games, but he admitted that he had a hard time adjusting to pitch clock, saying in an interview with the U.S. media Mercury News during the season, “The timer had to keep going and keep playing.” On top of that, it has become a fait accompli that the number of stolen base attempts will increase as the size of the base grows, but the restriction on the number of checks has made runners extremely advantageous. Manager Kim, a former catcher, is believed to have been difficult to accept. KBO was not negligent in explaining as well. From the 22nd to the 29th of last month, KBO visited overseas training sites of 10 teams and held briefing sessions on ABS or pitch clock. KBO judges and secretariat personnel met with the team to introduce the purpose of introducing the new regulations and to provide Q&A session. President Hu Jie-yeon also attended a briefing session of the Samsung, Lotte, and Hanwha teams held in Okinawa, Japan, and actively listened to the team’s opinions. Players are also adapting to the time limit themselves. “I was warned at the first batter’s box,” Yoon Dong-hee (Lotte Giants) said after the game ended on Sunday. “After playing the game, I was immersed in the game and the time for the game decreased as I had to prepare quickly. I don’t think there will be any problems if I adjust well.” Na Seung-yup, a teammate of the team, also said, “I don’t know if I’m in a tight spot, but I didn’t pay attention when playing the game. I did the same thing.” However, it seems that more persuasion process is still needed when it comes to restricting checks. This is especially important in the KBO league, where operations are more diverse than in the Major League.
