Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Ever wonder what it's like to be a field timing coordinator (FTC) at a baseball game? I'm going to tell you, since one of the jobs I have post-WGR morning show is being an FTC at some Buffalo Bisons games.
Field timing coordinator is a fancy title for pitch clock operator.
The job is easy to understand (thank goodness), but it does require complete focus from the first pitch of the game through the final pitch, and even during the between innings breaks.
Operating the clock is easy, and learning the rules for the various scenarios that take place during a game isn't that difficult. The hardest part is not getting distracted, and not taking your eyes off the field at any point.
Shortly before the start of the baseball season, Major League Baseball sends out a video with a breakdown of all clock rules that will be in effect. It goes through every possible scenario, and explains what to do, as far as when to reset the clock and which reset time is correct. We also have a printed packet with all of the rules that is in the press box for every game.
I find that very helpful since I like to go over the rules before every game as a refresher course.
There are a number of scenarios you must be prepared for like bases empty, runner(s) on base, mound visits, pickoff attempts, batter granted a timeout, catcher giving defensive signals, pitching changes during an inning, and glove checks on the pitcher coming to the mound among others.
My job starts about an hour before first pitch when I go meet the umpiring crew in their locker room underneath the stands. I check with them to see if there have been any tweaks to the clock rules, or if they have anything else I should be aware of. The FTC works with the home plate umpire since he is in charge of the clock at all times.
I wear a headset, and the umpire has a microphone and an ear piece so we can communicate with each other, if necessary.
You know how hard it is for a pitcher to throw a perfect game? It feels just as hard for an FTC to have a perfect game on the pitch clock.
It is human nature to watch what happens to a foul ball too long, get caught watching an instant replay on the monitor in the press box, get involved in a conversation in the box, or take your eyes off the umpire during a between inning break so you can look at your phone. That is when you miss a sign from the umpire to pause the clock, or you forget to reset the clock.
This is where the communications come in handy. If the clock operator ever misses something, the home plate umpire can open his microphone and tell us to pause or reset the clock.
I gained more admiration for umpires since I started doing this job. I always felt they had a thankless job to begin with, but this just added something else to their already full plate of responsibilities.
I am a big fan of the pitch clock. Baseball needed to pick up the pace of their games.
But I'll be honest with you: Now that I run the pitch clock, there are definitely moments in the game where I feel it is being rushed along.
I do understand some of the players' concerns, but knowing you can go to a game and not have to spend three or more hours watching it is better for the game overall.
