There have been whispers about a pitch clock issue at the Philadelphia Phillies’ home venue of Citizens Bank Park. Well, some interesting data proves that the issue indeed exists.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic did a study and spoke to several Phillies players, who admitted that it felt as if the ballpark’s pitch clock was working faster than others.
Pitcher Aaron Nola stated, “I think the pitch clock was a little too fast, though. It seems to be that way when we get back home,” and pitcher Taijuan Walker said the team’s clock “just seems a lot faster.”
Here’s what Gelb wrote:
“And the data, so far, supports their theories: There have been more timer violations per game at Citizens Bank Park this season than any other major-league ballpark, according to research by STATS Perform. The data was compiled through Wednesday’s games.
The number of violations here is such an outlier that the gap between Citizens Bank Park and the stadium with the second-most is the same as the difference between second and 10th place. The numbers could even out over time but, right now, it is statistically significant…
The Phillies have played eight more road games than home games, but they have been assessed 14 timer violations at home and only five on the road. There were 25 total violations in the first 26 games at Citizens Bank Park. It might go unnoticed most nights because there are hundreds of pitches thrown and a violation typically has no bearing on a game’s outcome. Many fans have welcomed the timer’s purpose — to eliminate extraneous inaction. But a quicker home clock, players said, is felt beyond the violations assessed.
A spokesman for MLB informed The Athletic that they’re “tracking all data related to the new rules,” though MLB has yet to find “any concerning trends.”
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In order to speed up the pace of games, MLB implemented a pitch clock that gives pitchers 15 seconds between pitches, and 20 seconds between if the opposition has a batter on base. If the pitcher violates the clock, they’re issued an automatic ball.
The Phillies have been among the biggest disappointments through the first two and a half months of the 2023 season. The defending NL champions were crushed 9-0 by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, dropping them to 31-33 on the year.
Of course, the Phillies pulled off a remarkable turnaround last summer after starting out 21-29. They caught fire after replacing manager Joe Girardi with Rob Thomson, so of course Philadelphia fans have good reason to think their team can turn it around in the second half.
Philadelphia wraps up its home series with the Dodgers on Sunday, and then they’ll hit the road for a seven-game trek. The Phillies will open their seven-game road trip against the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
