When Major League Baseball first used a pitch clock in 2023, some were up in arms, fearing the new rule would ruin the game. In the last two seasons, the pitch clock has received relatively positive reviews, and the average game length in 2024 was two hours and 36 minutes, the shortest average game length since 1984.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) is preparing to feature a pitch clock for the first time in league history. Starting Saturday, pitchers will receive their first taste of the timer during game action. Hurlers must deliver a pitch within 20 seconds with no runners on base and within 25 seconds with runners on. KBO Organizations will try to use the preseason as a test run.
The Korea Times reports that the KBO attempted to implement a pitch clock during the 2024 season to speed up games, but many organizations were against the idea. A KBO game’s average length in 2024 was three hours and 13 minutes, almost 40 minutes longer than the average 2024 MLB game.
The Korea Times also reports that all preseason games are scheduled for the early afternoon. Still, many teams have asked the league to consider adding a few night games so their players can get acclimated to playing under stadium lights again.
During this year’s KBO preseason, the league’s version of Spring Training, each of the 10 teams will play 10 games. The final day of preseason play is Tuesday, March 18. There will be no extra innings, and any game suspended due to rain will not be rescheduled.
The pitch clock won’t be the only new rule players must adjust to during the preseason. The KBO is altering the automated ball-strike system (ABS), lowering the zone by a smidge. In 2024, the top of the strike zone was 56.35 percent of the hitter’s height, and the bottom of the zone was 27.64 percent.
This season, those numbers were lowered to 55.75 and 27.04 percent. While those may not seem like drastic changes to ABS, a batter and pitcher battle every pitch against one another. Baseball is a game of inches.
On March 17, the Hanwha Eagles will debut at their brand new stadium, Daejeon Baseball Dream Park, in Daejeon, South Korea, against the Samsung Lions in preseason play. The club played at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon from 1986 to 2024.
The 2025 KBO regular season begins on March 22, the earliest Opening Day in league history. Daejeon Baseball Dream Park will host the All-Star Game on July 12. For more information on additional rule changes for the 2025 and 2026 KBO seasons, click here.
