It didn’t take long for the pitch clock to become the story of spring training 2023. And while MLB’s latest (and seemingly most effective) attempt to increase pace of play will surely be a focal point all season, we’re still in the early stages of observing its direct impact on the game. Which brings us Thursday’s captivating, poetic, blink-and-you-might-miss-it plate appearance during a game between the Yankees and Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.
In the bottom of the second inning, Pittsburgh outfielder Tucupita Marcano stepped to the plate to face New York’s Wandy Peralta. And you didn’t need to be in line at the concessions stand or heading to the bathroom to miss what transpired: a three-pitch strikeout that took all of 20 seconds.
Behold, in all its glory:
In this case, simply typing out a text message or, I don’t know, sneezing twice would have caused fans in attendance to miss the entire at-bat. We knew the pitch clock would drastically alter the rhythm of the games, and we’ve already seen that effect in the technology’s infancy. But witnessing a batter do a real-life impression of Grandpa Simpson entering and exiting a room is still jarring to see on a baseball field.
I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see something like this during spring training, so batters, be warned: If you’re in the box, be ready to swing.
