MLB's pitch clock may be leading to better defense, players and managers say

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

The pitch clock may be bothering players as they step to the plate, but they like it a whole lot better once they put on their gloves and take the field.

While the rule changes put in place this year to speed up the pace of play have garnered plenty of attention for how they’ve affected hitters and pitchers, some players and managers say the new guidelines also are positively impacting defense.

The pitch clock in particular — an idea meant to make it easier for fans to stay focused on the field — may be keeping fielders locked in, too.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The pitch clock ticks down in the top of the ninth in a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, April 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Emil T. Lippe, File)

"I think it’s helping defensively a lot, just because you don’t have the down time to really kind of walk around," said Seattle Mariners second baseman Kolten Wong, a two-time Gold Glove winner. "You’re not cleaning dirt, you’re constantly back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. So, I’m a big fan of it."

The pitch clock adopted this year — along with limits on infield shifts and several other rules — gives pitchers 15 seconds between deliveries if there are no baserunners and 20 seconds with someone aboard.

There's no doubt that games are faster. The average game length of 2 hours, 40 minutes is the shortest since 1984. Games had lasted an average of at least 3 hours every year from 2012-22.

That change was expected. But some players and coaches say they've been pleasantly surprised by how it's changed things on defense.

Milwaukee manager Craig