Colorado Rockies: Bud Black on offseason, MLB’s pace of play initiatives

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Bud Black also says that he “understands” why there has been talk of a pitch clock. However, he says that “beauty” of the game is that time isn’t an issue. He also believes that if pace of play will be changed, it needs to be “player driven,” like the batter staying in the batter’s box and pitcher’s not taking as long in between pitches.

This has been a hot-button issue lately as the MLB Players Association just rejected Commissioner Rob Manfred’s proposals to improve pace of play. However, he has unilateral power to impose that on baseball if he so chooses.

Final Thoughts

I would have to say that I agree with Bud Black on just about everything he said. The Rockies have obviously been more focused on pitching than they ever have as a franchise and it showed in 2017 and, barring injury, it will show again in 2018. I would also have to agree with him on the pitch clock.

Personally, I think that the rule already in the books that a pitcher has to pitch within 10 seconds of receiving the ball should be enforced but umpires tend not to enforce it.

Next: How the pitch clock could change things for 2018

Our very own Kevin Henry offered some more insight into the situation and his opinion on the situation yesterday (check the link above).