Yankees pitcher J.A. Happ not a fan of Spring Training pitch clock

Though the Grapefruit League season is only two games in, major leaguers are airing their grievances regarding the 20-second pitch clock. Yankees starter J.A. Happ is the latest pitcher to let it be known he is not a fan.

Baseball is one of the few sports in the world that doesn’t depend on some sort of time limit. Well, Yankees fans, it appears MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is doing what he can to change all that.

This spring, both Grapefruit League games in Florida and Cactus League contests in Arizona will feature a 20-second pitch clock.

Initially instituted in Double-A and Triple-A back in 2015 as a way to speed up the pace of play, Manfred aims to get big leaguers accustomed to the change and hopefully gain the MLB Players Association’s approval on implementation of the “shot clock.”

Otherwise, Manfred does wield the power to institute the rule on his own accord.

More from Yankees News

• Aaron Judge’s influence on Carlos Rodón shows he’s more powerful than Yankees
• Yankees sign 2022 Red Sox reliever, invite him to spring training
• Yankees trade Lucas Luetge for 2 intriguing Braves prospects after DFA
• Never forget Miguel Andújar wrecked Yankees’ Nolan Arenado trade
• Diamondbacks outfielder’s comment on Carlos Rodón’s IG raises eyebrows

The pitch clock will begin after the first pitch of an at-bat, once the pitcher is on the rubber — catcher in the crouch and batter in the box. Should a pitcher exceed the allowable 20 seconds, an automatic ball will be called each and every time by the home plate umpire.

This needless rule has the makings of an adult men’s softball league written all over it.

While some Yankees such as C.C. Sabathia, Aaron Judge and Austin Romine said they didn’t feel the clock would act as a distraction, left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ took umbrage, telling the New York Post:

"“I don’t like it, I don’t think it is necessary,’’ Happ said Friday at George M. Steinbrenner Field on the eve of the Yankees’ opening the exhibition season with a game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers on Saturday in which a clock will be used.“I don’t think the numbers prove the game needs it and it doesn’t feel right.’’"

Happ would go on to say that he hopes the 20-second clock doesn’t make it to Opening Day. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer echoed Happ’s sentiments, airing his grievance to the Associated Press.

"“I know as players that’s something that MLB is trying to negotiate. I don’t think there’s negotiation here. As players, it just shouldn’t be in the game. Having a pitch clock, if you have ball-strike implications, that’s messing with the fabric of the game. There’s no clock in baseball and there’s no clock in baseball for a reason.”"

Relating to Yankee pitchers and the amount of time they took in between pitches in 2018, Luis Severino came in at 22 seconds, followed by Happ (22.3), Jonathan Holder (25.8), Jonathan Loaisiga (26.3), Tommy Kahnle (26.3), Zack Britton (26.4), Masahiro Tanaka (27) and Aroldis Chapman (29).

So, basically, should the 20-pitch clock become a reality, Yankee pitchers will need to speed up their routine or risk incurring some truly “free” passes.