By most measures, the new MLB pitch clock has been a success. The pace of games has improved dramatically, length of games is back down to a more reasonable number, and the volume of pitch clock violations has reached a relatively negligible clip (less than one, on average, per game).
THAT SAID … the topic is still pretty thorny among certain sects of the fan base and the player pool. It’s a good idea, and it’s working. But it’s not to a place where anyone should be dunking about it or throwing it in everyone’s face more than it already is.
Thus, this is a terrible, terrible idea:
The idea would be having a watch company or clock company or whatever sponsoring the pitch clock, so it gets some signage and mentions. And if teams wanted to do additional sponsorships locally, they could do that, too.
Imagine implementing one of the most transformative (and controversial) rules in baseball history and then immediately trying to monetize it. I mean, I *can* imagine it, because it’s what MLB has done with all monetization decisions in recent years, but I sure don’t want to.
The short-term benefit of making the pitch clock into a glaring cash grab, rather than an important part of improving the game, cannot possibly outweigh the risk. And if the total net wasn’t much more than $10 million?! What, like $500,000 per team? Is that seriously being considered within THE FIRST MONTH of the pitch clock arriving?
Stop. Don’t. This is a terrible idea if you want continued adoption of the pitch clock, enjoyment of this version of the game, and grace for the times when the pitch clock mucks things up.
Then, after a year or so, you can explore this type of thing.