Ever since the pitch clock was introduced in 2023, it has been one of baseball’s biggest controversies. Old-school fans argue that the pitchers should be able to control the pace of the game, while younger fans appreciate the faster, more dynamic experience the rule creates. The driving force behind the pitch clock was observations of fans leaving games early, and complaining about how slow the game is played. Indeed, a 2022 Baseball Ruler survey revealed that 60% of Americans do not have any interest in viewing baseball, with only 9% listing baseball as their favorite sport.
Why the sudden decline? To find the catalyst, you just have to turn to the modern attention span of a human. In 2025, the average attention span of a human was reported at 8.25 seconds (Recovery Home), slightly shorter than that of a goldfish. Before the pitch clock, the average interval between MLB pitches was 23 seconds. To combat this increasing amount of bored fans, the MLB started experimenting with the idea of a pitch clock to increase the tempo of the game. After some success in the minor leagues, the MLB instituted a 15-second pitch clock for the 2023 season. Instantly, it was a success. Take, for example, the LA Dodgers. In 2021, the LA Dodgers averaged about 34,000 fans per game. After the pitch clock’s introduction, attendance jumped to 47,000. And these numbers were echoed across pretty much every stadium in the country.
However, many hardcore baseball fans argue that the pitch clock takes away an integral part of the game. A key aspect of being a pitcher is the ability to control the tempo and pace of the game. However, this benefit was taken away when the pitch clock was introduced, effectively removing a valuable tool for a Major League pitcher.
And while the pitch clock was the most notable addition (or deletion, depending on your point of view), another important rule was put in place, a rule limiting pitchers to two mound disengagements per plate appearance.
This rule puts pitchers in a tough spot when dealing with aggressive runners. A pitcher does not want the base runner to get too large of a lead but also does not want to give up their two valuable mound disengagements, leading to some tough decisions and ultimately an easier experience for the base runner. As a result, the total number of stolen bases in the MLB has jumped from 2,200 stolen bases in 2021 to 3,500 stolen bases in 2023 after the introduction of the pitch clock (Baseball Almanac). The increase in stolen bases has undeniably made the game more exciting but has also left pitchers vulnerable to aggressive baserunners.
Have these changes taken away an integral part of baseball, or are they paving the way for younger fans and maintaining the glory of America’s favorite pastime?
