MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated that he is leaning towards keeping the rules the same regarding the postseason pitch clock. While he is open to making alterations, Manfred believes that the postseason should be played the same way as the regular season. He also expressed concern about the possibility of a postseason game being decided based on a violation of the pitch clock. Manfred will continue to listen to players’ opinions on the matter before making a final decision.
Expansion is another topic that Manfred addressed. He has previously stated that expansion to 32 teams would have to wait until the Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays get new stadiums. However, once that happens, the move for expansion could ramp up quickly. The league would need to determine the expansion fee and the divisional structure before moving forward with expansion plans.
The issue of revenue disparity in MLB was also discussed. Manfred acknowledged that the underperformance of big-spending teams and the success of smaller-market teams this year has not made his previous comments about revenue disparity age well. However, he still believes that fans in certain markets feel that disparity remains an issue. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark noted that revenue disparity has been a longstanding conversation in the sport and that surprise teams often emerge.
Manfred provided an update on MLB’s efforts to develop a baseball that comes preloaded with a substance to provide grip. The league is working with Dow Chemical on developing a tacky ball that would eliminate the need for individual mudding. However, there are concerns about using a pure white baseball, as it could be a controversial topic among hitters and pitchers.
The enforcement of sticky stuff by umpires this season was also discussed. Manfred believes that umpires have done well in an inherently subjective undertaking. He also expressed his support for using the automated strike zone in a limited capacity, such as through a challenge system.
Air quality was another topic addressed by MLBPA executive director Tony Clark. He stated that air quality is undoubtedly a health and safety issue and that the union is heavily involved in discussions about whether games are playable. While there are threshold measurements that the union pays attention to, there are currently no hard and fast rules in place.
Overall, Manfred and Clark provided updates on various topics affecting MLB. Manfred expressed his hesitation to make changes to the postseason pitch clock rules, while also discussing expansion plans and revenue disparity. Clark discussed the ongoing efforts to develop a tacky ball and the enforcement of sticky stuff by umpires. Both Manfred and Clark addressed the issue of air quality and its impact on player safety. These updates provide insight into the current state of MLB and the issues that the league is facing.