Rob Manfred comes under fire as he affirms no changes to the MLB pitch clock will occur anytime soon

After the 2022 MLB season was nearly outright canceled on account of there lacking an agreement between the league and the Players Association, moves were made to examine the current structure of the game.

Commissioner Rob Manfred compiled an 11-member "Competition Committee" to examine fan experience and recommend changes based on the results. The committee soon returned to Manfred with several rule suggestions to enact.

The general consensus was that offensive production in the MLB had been tailing off in recent years, which represented a threat to ratings. One of the new regulations imposed by the MLB was the "pitch clock."

Designed by the league with the intent of shortening games, the pitch clock gives the pitcher no more than 15 seconds, or 20 if a runner is on base, to deliver their pitch. Likewise, the batter has to be ready to hit before the clock reaches eight seconds.

Scenes from spring training painted an awkward picture. Some pitchers spoke about having to completely alter their delivery. San Diego Padres star Manny Machado was caught out for failing to be ready in a game against the Seattle Mariners. Machado later quipped that he would "start a lot of games down 0-1 (in the count)."

"Major League Baseball will not be changing any of the major components of its new pitch-clock rules before Opening Day, according to a memo obtained by ESPN. The details on the changes that will be made, free and unlocked, at ESPN:" - Jeff Passan

ESPN analyst Jeff Passan recently revealed on Twitter that the MLB has no plans to change the pitch clock rules before the start of the 2023 season. Fans with more traditional approaches to the game are not happy.

Manfred, who was on thin ice with fans after a highly unpopular flirtation with a lockout, has also done himself no favors. Several commenters on Passan's post even took direct aim at the commissioner online.

The pitch clock has been met with mixed reactions from players. However, the general consensus is that most are willing to adapt their approach to gameplay in accordance with the new guidelines.

As part of the new measure, the league also mandated larger base sizes and decreed restrictions on defensive shifts. In their view, these steps are necessary to shorten games and optimize offense.

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Despite the terse reaction, the MLB will probably never get rid of the clock

As Shohei Ohtani and Japan's recent World Baseball Classic victory showed us, the MLB is longer the only show in town. The NPB is fast gaining traction, and the league will do what it takes to keep fans watching.

If this means implementing controversial rules to shorten the length of games, then so be it.