Why MLB's pitch-clock rules need to be adjusted in ninth inning and beyond

Here we go! Full count, two outs, and the World Series-winning run is on third as the bases are loaded and the Yankees' Aaron Judge settles in. The Padres' Josh Hader gets the sign from his catcher.

The drama! The suspense! Is this going to be the pitch that crowns a champion?!?!

Wait.

What's happening?!?!

Time has run out on Hader! And the Yankees just won the World Series on a pitch clock violation!

•••

As crazy as it sounds, this is exactly how the major league baseball season could end. Or a playoff game. Or any game.

While a clock hitting 0:00 is an obvious necessity in the NBA, NFL and NHL, it seems ludicrous that America's past time could allow this to occur.

There has to be a better way — a way to compromise that not only reduces the odds of a game being affected at the end but also gets a jam-packed stadium rocking during every pivotal pitch.

And there is.

All Major League Baseball needs to do is tweak the pitch-clock rules in the ninth inning and beyond. Turn it off completely. Or add as much as 15 seconds.

By all accounts, the clock — which is set at 15 seconds if nobody is on base and 20 seconds with a runner on — has been a rousing success.

But who wants to blaze through the heart-pounding, stadium-shaking moments?

“You know what, I think that's interesting,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, whose eyes lit up when he heard this suggestion. “I do think having certain rules be fluid is reasonable. In the ninth inning where it starts to get hot ... even if you add five seconds is a fair ask because part of what fans enjoy is the drama and the suspense.”

“Playoffs are going to be nuts if they don't do something to change,” said Cubs reliever Michael Fulmer. “You can't rush through some of the greatest moments in baseball. You've got to let them build up.

“And everyone wants to be at their best in those key moments and you would hate for a pitch clock to ruin that.”

• • •

Every other major sport changes its rules down the stretch.

Think about it: In the NBA, a team can advance the ball to half-court after a timeout. In the NFL, the clock stops inside of five minutes when someone runs out of bounds. In the NHL, teams play 3-on-3 in overtime during the regular season.

It's difficult to understand why MLB didn't listen to its players and agree to add time to the clock late in games.

“Players on the committee presented it and the league didn't listen,” said Cubs starter Jameson Taillon.

Let's acknowledge at this point that a game ending on a pitch-clock violation is unlikely. But even adding a ball or strike to the count can affect a pivotal at-bat down the stretch.

Early in the season, the Giants' Camilo Doval was called for a pair of violations in the ninth inning, giving both batters a 1-0 count. He wiggled out of both situations and recorded a save in a 7-5 victory over the Yankees.

On May 18, Cubs reliever Keegan Thompson gave up a 2-run homer in the ninth and then walked the third batter he faced in Houston. Brandon Hughes replaced Thompson and ended up giving up a game-winning 2-RBI single as the Astros claimed a stunning 7-6 victory.

No violations were called, but with more time perhaps both pitchers are more prepared to throw each crucial pitch.

In the ninth inning and beyond, Thompson would like to see pitchers get 20 seconds with the bases empty and 25 with runners on.

“The clock does what it needs to do,” Thompson said. “But especially late in the game and extra innings and in playoffs you need that extra time to think about what you want to do.”

According to an AP story, save conversions were at 61.4% through a quarter of the season. They were at 67.8% through a similar point last season and 65.1% over the past decade.

“Whenever relievers are coming in, it's mostly a stressful situation,” Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano said in that story. “It was nice before when you did have those extra few seconds.

“Now you've just got to get your thoughts together and go. I haven't noticed it too much but yeah, I guess in the times I've struggled, a couple extra seconds would have been nice.”

• • •

There was an interesting mix of reactions to this idea among players, managers and broadcasters. Let's take a look ...

Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer on turning the clock off completely: “I don't think you want the game decided based on a violation. I also don't think you want have a Pedro Baez pitching in the ninth inning and taking 35 seconds between pitches.

“I understand the point. You definitely don't want violations then, but turning off the clock and playing by different rules I don't love. ... Now all of a sudden closers can take forever. When there's a rally, their whole focus is sort of taking the air out of the (balloon). Stepping off. Taking a lot of time. That was just a real practiced strategy a lot of veteran guys had. ...

“I would hate to see that happen in the ninth inning.”

Cubs LF Ian Happ: “There's definitely a place where the pitch clock when nobody's on could be a little bit longer; a place to give (pitchers) one step off to readjust with nobody on base throughout the course of an at-bat.

“But I think making sure the rules are uniformed across the game so that those guys that are throwing in the ninth inning are doing the same thing everybody else is doing makes sense.”

White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito: “You never want to see games decided by pitch-clock violations. That would be a pain in the ass. A lot of us had that opinion that late in games you give extra time for the relievers and the hitters because one swing of the bat could mean a win or a loss. ... Why not add a little bit of time at the end of the game?”

Astros manager Dusty Baker: “I'd like to add some seconds period. I mean the guys are adjusting to it, but do they have time to collect their thoughts when everybody's conscious of the clock?

“You hate to have your stars not have enough time or get called out on strikes. Vlad Guerrero had a third strike called in our game. Are the fans here to see Vlad not even get a swing? I'm not against it. I just wish there was more time.”

Cubs pitcher Michael Fulmer: “You need to take time to step out and take a deep breath and relax and gather your thoughts and make sure you have the right pitch called. If you and your catcher aren't on the same page at a big point in the game and you shake twice, you look up and the clock's running down to zero. You can step off if a runner is on base and use one of your disengagements. But guess what? You only have one more before he can steal.”

Cubs catcher Yan Gomes: “That's a great suggestion. First time I've heard of it. A Red Sox spring training game ended on a walk-off strikeout. That would be something pretty disappointing (in the regular season or playoffs). It's definitely something pretty interesting to look at.”

• • •

Football players practice a two-minute drill.

Basketball teams have plays designed for a last-second shot.

But baseball cannot be rehearsed. Part of its beauty is the evolving drama of pitcher vs. hitter. While it shouldn't be intentionally drawn out, it cannot be played to its fullest in rigid, 15-second increments.

So, MLB, allow the pitcher to gather his thoughts. The catcher to notice a subtle change in the hitter. The hitter to take a few extra breaths. The managers to survey the scene and communicate a strategy.

And for the crescendo of earsplitting cheers from a jam-packed stadium to wash over them all.

Do it without a “second” thought.