1st Place, Sports Columnist
2023-24, Division 1-4, News Writing
By Joe Craig
Update
H. H. Dow HS
Changing the game
This past month, the MLB has implemented a pitch clock to their games during the spring training exhibition season. This has been a controversial topic in the sports world for multiple reasons. There have been both fans and critics of the new rule.
The pitch clock has always been a controversial rule since it was first introduced in minor league systems in 2015. While it was implemented to speed up the game and create higher scoring games, there are actually numerous reasons as to why it is actually bad for the game.
Simply put, the rule is a pitcher must start his pitching motion toward the plate within 15 seconds of the ball being returned to him from the previous pitch, 20 seconds with runners on base, and 30 seconds between batters. The batter also has a batter clock, in which he must be standing in the batters box, addressing the pitcher, ready to hit, before the clock strikes eight seconds.
Pitchers are allowed two disengagements per plate appearance, this may be a pickoff attempt or stepping off the mound. Batters are allowed one timeout per at bat.
The pitch clock takes away from baseball’s slow paced, but strategic side of the game. Baseball was invented nearly 200 years ago, and it has always been a slower paced game. It is not the same as the likes of other popular U.S. sports like basketball and football. Throughout baseball’s history, the long, slow pace of play is part of the little things of the game that make it the sport it is.
The clock forces pitchers to rush through their motions and game plans, forcing them to deliver pitches quicker. This not only disrupts the rhythm of the game, but it also undermines the strategic nature of baseball, and it will most likely affect the sports competitiveness.
Also, the pitch clock may lead to the decline in pitcher’s performance. Pitchers need time to receive signs from the catcher, decide what pitch to throw, and mentally prepare themselves to deliver each and every pitch. The pitch clock is limiting this process and is forcing pitchers to deliver pitches with less time to make proper decisions, which could very well lead to a decline in pitching performance.
As well as a decline in pitcher’s performance, it may lead to a decline in hitters’ performance as well. Batters may feel like they have less time to prepare for pitches and during at bats. This could result in less hits, home runs, runs scored, and other offensive stats.
Without the batters ability to take a step out of the box, take a breath, regather himself, and step back into the box, the clock is taking away part of a batter’s routine. This now takes away from his ability to perform at his highest and puts him at a disadvantage to the pitcher.
During spring training alone, we have seen multiple batters rung up due to the pitch clock rule. In a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox, a game actually ended due to a pitch clock violation. With a tie score of 6-6, the bases loaded, full count, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Braves’ shortstop prospect Cal Conley was rung up and called out for not being in the batter’s box and addressing the pitcher by the eight second mark.
Another argument against the pitch clock is that it takes away from the sport’s tradition and culture. Baseball has long been known for its traditions, rituals, and superstitions. The pitch clock disrupts these traditions.
As baseball continues to look for ways to grow their sport, the pitch clock seems to me like it is taking a step in the wrong direction. Although it may make games faster, it takes away from baseball’s history and disrupts over a hundred years of tradition.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Earlier this month, the Waste Management Phoenix Open hosted their annual tournament at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course. The tournament’s rowdy atmosphere and large amount of talent makes it the most attended event in golf every year, and is nicknamed “The People’s Open.”
The tournament brings in incredible amounts of money to hundreds of charities and other nonprofit organizations. In 2022, the WM Phoenix Open generated $450.7 million to the state of Arizona’s economy. The tournament also created 4,290 jobs to help run the tournament.
As the sport of golf is growing more and more popular every year towards younger audiences, the WM Phoenix Open is partially responsible for creating this new and exciting look at golf.
This year has a long list of the biggest names in the world including the number one golfer in the world ranks, Rory McILroy. Others include Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Justin Thomas, and many more.
In 1997, a young Tiger Woods stepped foot onto the 16th hole in his first appearance at the Phoenix Open. He swung a nice comfortable nine iron, the crowd going nuts after his swing, and placed the ball directly onto the green. It took a couple bounces and found the bottom of the pin, scoring an ace.
The crowd let out a thundering roar, tossing and spraying beer across the grass, following Woods as he walked to retrieve his ball from the cup.
Golf is a sport that many consider to be an “old man sport” or a particularly boring and quiet sport. But the WM Phoenix Open changes this narrative. Fans from all over the country come to this tournament to attend the single PGA Tour event that permits them to be as rowdy as they please.
Personally, I have started to dive into the sport of golf in the past couple of years. I have really enjoyed the Phoenix Open. It has created a fun and exciting event to watch, and I think that it is great for the sport of golf.
Even for people that may not be interested in golf, this tournament is unlike the average golf tournament and I think it can help create new golf fans each year. With golf becoming more popular ever year, tournaments like the Phoenix Open are only making golf more popular.
The people’s open has also been held during the same weekend of the Super Bowl for 49 years. The two major U.S. events both compliment each other, rather than cut into each other, especially this year where both events are held in the state of Arizona. In the event of a playoff hole on the final Sunday of the tournament, the final stroke is to be played 30 minutes before the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl to give fans enough time to tune into the big game.
The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is deemed “the loudest hole in golf.” The 162-yard, par-3 hole is surrounded by a grandstand of 20,000 fans, who are allowed to cheer, boo, and celebrate as loud as they want all throughout the event.
Golfers will usually bring some kind of gear, golf balls, or other merchandise to toss into the crowd and win over their love during the middle of the match.
Fans can be heard giving vicious boos, or beloved cheers for a player depending on the result of their tee shot on the 16th. Any shot that misses the green, usually results in a rainstorm of boos sent down upon the golfer.
The WM Phoenix Open is successfully creating new generations of golf fans, and helping grow the sport and the PGA tour, which is good for combating the new challenging LIV golf tour.
NW-20. Sports Columnist
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