First Ever Pitch Clock Violation Walkoff in Baseball History!
Introduction
It had to happen at some point.
Baseball history was made over the weekend at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. It was indeed a dramatic moment, unlike anything we have ever seen. Though it wasn’t a home run, strikeout, or even a stolen base—it was a walk-off pitch clock violation victory for the Colorado Rockies.
Huh?
It marked the first time MLB history that a game has been decided by the pitch clock.
Bases loaded
Let’s set the scene: Bottom of the ninth, the Washington Nationals and Colorado Rockies are locked in a 7-7 tie. The Rockies have loaded the bases against the Nationals’ closer Kyle Finnegan. Here’s what happened next
As you can see, Finnegan’s pitch was just a fraction late in his delivery, and the umpire called a pitch clock violation, bringing in the winning run for a dramatic Rockies’ 8-7 victory. The game is now forever etched in baseball history as a stunned Finnegan walks off the field.
What is a Pitch Clock Violation?
MLB introduced the pitch clock, or pitch timer rule, in 2023, hoping to speed up the pace of the game.
According to MLB rules, there is a 15-second timer in place with the bases empty and a 18-second timer with runners on base. The pitcher must begin his motion to deliver the pitch before the pitch timer expires. Pitchers who violate the timer are charged with an automatic ball. In this case, a 3-2 count led to ball four, resulting in Finnegan walking in the winning run.
Implementing the pitch clock rule has been successful in speeding up the pace of the game. During the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, the average duration of a game was reduced by about 25 minutes compared to previous seasons. This change decreased the average game time to around 2 hours and 40 minutes from the previous average of just over 3 hours.
Baseball Attendance Up
And attendance at ballparks was up nearly 10% in 2023 and has increased even further in 2024 so far.
While the MLB Players Association claims the pitch timer has led to a rash of pitching injuries, the Commissioner’s office says there is no evidence to prove that pitcher injuries are on the rise due to the clock.
Why this violation is significant
The pitch clock walk-off game is without doubt a testament to the rule’s impact, demonstrating that even a slight delay in timing can determine the outcome of a game. The historic decision, the first of its kind, raises the question: Will it set a precedent for future enforcement? Only time will tell.
Finnegan Reacts
After the game, Finnegan shouldered the blame: “Those situations just can’t happen. It can’t happen,” Finnegan said. “To lose the game in that way, it just can’t happen. I immediately felt awful about letting the team down in that big spot there.”
Finnegan leads the majors with nine pitch-clock violations this season, though none as costly as Saturday night’s violation.
First Ever Pitch Clock Violation Walkoff in Baseball History!
Summary
After the events of Saturday, June 22, 2024, you can’t help but wonder if we may someday witness a walk-off World Series victory, courtesy of a pitch clock violation. Imagine that.
- The pitcher must begin his motion to deliver the pitch before the expiration of the pitch timer. 15 seconds with no runners on base and 18 seconds with runners on base. Pitchers who violate the timer are charged with an automatic ball. Batters who violate the timer are charged with an automatic strike.
- Batters must be in the box and alert to the pitcher by the 8-second mark or else be charged with an automatic strike.
- With runners on base, the timer resets if the pitcher attempts a pickoff or steps off the rubber.
- Pitchers are limited to two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance. However, this limit is reset if a runner or runners advance during the plate appearance.
- If a third pickoff attempt is made, the runner automatically advances one base if the pickoff attempt is not successful.
- Mound visits, injury timeouts, and offensive team timeouts do not count as a disengagement.
- If a team has used up all five of its allotted mound visits prior to the ninth inning, that team will receive an additional mound visit in the ninth inning. This effectively serves as an additional disengagement.
- Umpires may provide extra time if warranted by special circumstances. (For example, if a catcher were to be thrown out on the bases to end the previous half-inning and needed additional time to put on his catching gear, the umpire could allow it.)
