All articles tagged with #pace of play
Scottie Scheffler appeared irritated by Viktor Hovland’s slow pace during the Travelers Championship final round, moving to the next tee while Hovland was still putting. Analysts debated pace of play and whether Hovland’s methods (including AimPoint) slowed the round, though Hovland had a rough start that opened the door for Scheffler.
Xander Schauffele praised Rickie Fowler’s fast pace and positive energy during their Saturday pairing at Aronimink in the PGA Championship, as Schauffele shot 66 to Fowler’s 68 and reflected on handling major pressure amid challenging greens.
Justin Thomas and Keegan Bradley clashed with a PGA official after being warned they were on the clock for pace of play at the PGA Championship, arguing the pace-rule doesn’t account for golf’s real-time dynamics; the incident comes amid a stricter 2025 pace-of-play policy and followed Garrick Higgo’s two-stroke penalty for being late, highlighting ongoing enforcement as rounds run long at Aronimink.
MLB nine-inning games are about six minutes longer this season (2:43 vs 2:37) due to a mix of factors. ABS challenges add roughly 63 seconds per game, but most of the increase comes from more pitches per game, more batter timeouts, and teams using dugout pitch calls, plus pitchers leveraging the timer to disrupt hitters. The trend reflects a combination of strategic adjustments and the evolving timing rules, not a single culprit.
During the final round of the Valspar Championship, Matt Fitzpatrick complained about Adrien Dumont de Chassart’s slow pace of play; a PGA Tour rules official issued an official warning to de Chassart as Fitzpatrick pushed his bid for the win.
Ludvig Aberg built a three‑shot lead entering the final round of The Players after shooting 71 in the third round at TPC Sawgrass, following a Friday 63 that helped him seize the advantage. His playing partner Xander Schauffele stumbled to a 74. Aberg confirmed a rules official warned them on No. 5 about pace of play, a warning he said was fair, and he suggested Sawgrass' conditions can slow play. He hopes to avoid further warnings as he aims to close out the tournament on Sunday.
Major League Baseball has announced modifications to the rules aimed at improving the pace of play, including reducing the time allowed between pitches with runners on base, reducing allotted mound visits, restarting the pitch timer after a dead ball, and requiring pitchers who warm up between innings to face at least one batter. Additionally, the runner's lane to first base will be widened by including the dirt between the foul line and the infield grass. These changes were made despite objections from the MLB Players Association.
Major League Baseball has announced rule changes for the 2024 season, aimed at further improving the pace of play. The changes include shortening the pitch clock with runners on base, reducing the number of mound visits, requiring pitchers who warm up to face at least one batter, and widening the runner's lane towards first base. The MLB Players Association has expressed opposition to the rule changes, stating that additional changes are unnecessary and that the focus should be on examining the health and safety impacts of reduced recovery time.
Major League Baseball's recent rule changes, including the implementation of a pitch clock, are unnecessary and risk aggravating players. The average time of game in 2023 dropped significantly due to the pitch clock, which was well-received by fans. However, the league's focus on further reducing game time, despite minimal benefits, may lead to contentious future negotiations with the players' association. The league should have been content with the success of the pitch clock in its first season.
Major League Baseball has announced a series of rule changes for the 2024 season, including a reduction in the pitch clock with runners on base and widening the runner's lane. Other changes involve shortening the time between pitches, reducing mound visits, and requiring pitchers who warm up on the mound to face at least one batter. These changes aim to address the issue of pace of play, although the MLB Players Association has objected, stating that additional changes are unnecessary and that the focus should be on examining the health and safety impacts of previous rule changes.
New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer expressed frustration with MLB's pitch clock rules, specifically the strict enforcement of warm-up time between innings. Scherzer argued with home plate umpire Tripp Gibson over not having enough time to finish his warm-up pitches due to the last batter being his catcher. Scherzer believes umpires should have more discretion in certain situations and that the clock is being shoved in everyone's face. While the pitch clock has helped increase the pace of play, there are still some bugs that need to be sorted out.
The implementation of a pitch clock in Major League Baseball (MLB) has shortened game times and increased attendance, despite some complaints from die-hard fans. While concerns about rushing pitchers and increased injury risk have been raised, data shows no significant change in pitcher injuries. Polls show that the pitch clock is popular among fans, with a majority in favor of it. MLB is pleased with the results so far and is continuing to monitor fan opinion and adjust accordingly.
MLB's new pace of play rules created a dangerous situation for Bryce Harper during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Harper, who recently underwent Tommy John surgery, was not given enough time to put on his brace after reaching base in the ninth inning. The Phillies have taken the issue up with commissioner Rob Manfred but were told that Harper will not be permitted more time to put on the brace. Despite Harper's strong performance at the plate, the Phillies lost the game and continue to struggle with pitching.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Matt Strahm has criticized MLB teams for extending beer sales to the end of the eighth inning instead of the seventh, citing the potential dangers of drunk driving for fans. Strahm argued that if games are finishing quicker due to new pace-of-play rules, beer sales should be moved back to the sixth inning to give fans time to sober up before driving home. While some teams are extending beer sales to make up for lost sales, most teams have yet to make any changes.
At least four Major League Baseball teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Milwaukee Brewers, have extended alcohol sales into the eighth inning this season in response to shorter games created by the introduction of the pitch clock. The changes come as MLB teams experiment with adjustments to their traditional practices, and while safety and conduct remain a priority, the extension of alcohol sales has not yet caused any issues.