Cubs Reaction Is Mixed Regarding New Pitch Clock And Other Rules

Dansby Swanson and Yan Gomes had a very different response to the new pitch clock.

Author:
Andy Jasner
Publish date:
Feb 27, 2023 12:09 PM EST

In this story:

Throughout Major League Baseball, reaction has been mixed with the new rules implemented for this season.

The new pitch clock rules require batters to be in the box and engaged with the pitcher with eight seconds remaining on the timer. If the umpire determines they aren't ready, an automatic strike can be assessed.

Pitchers have 15 seconds to throw the pitch with the bases empty, or 20 seconds with runners on base, before an automatic ball is called.

Thus far, Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson is not thrilled.

“I’m hoping it’s not the end-all, be-all,” Swanson told reporters. “I think that there’s definitely some tweaks that can be made but it’s gonna be a change for everybody. We can sit here and complain about them or whatever but at the end of the day, we’re just gonna have to embrace it and be able to put together our best performance because it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.”

Swanson believes that the 15-second pitch clock when the bases are empty might be too quick. He suggested an 18-second clock instead.

“With every rule that comes about, there’s certain things you can do to exploit that rule,” Swanson said. “Sometimes it can be that rules create more issues but I think we’re just gonna have to see how it plays out.”

Catcher Yan Gomes, meanwhile, was happy with the rule tweaks.

“I actually enjoyed it,” he said. “It keeps the tempo going and I feel like sometimes we were going a little faster than normal.”

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