Every big-league player is using this spring training to get acquainted to the new MLB rules. Pitchers have to deal with a pitch clock and pickoff limit, and batters also have to be ready to hit by the eight-second mark.
But those rules don’t account for a PitchCom malfunction. Zack Greinke learned that as it happened on Tuesday night.
During a Cactus League game between the Royals and Reds, Greinke was having some issues with his PitchCom. And rather than taking a pitch clock violation to address the problem, Greinke broke out the most Greinke of pitches: his 47 mph eephus pitch.
Zack Greinke was having issues with his PitchCom device and instead of taking a clock violation, he just throws a 47 MPH eephus pitch pic.twitter.com/PGvP4WQdYV
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 15, 2023
The pitch was taken low for a ball. A pitch clock violation also would have been a ball, so the pitch technically didn’t make much of a difference. But it’s always hilarious when we get to see Greinke break out the eephus pitch — even when he didn’t want to.
Greinke took a pitch clock violation earlier in the inning and struck out Joey Votto on the next pitch.
Zack Greinke, Getting Signs/Pitch Clock Violation…then K'ing Votto on the next pitch. 😂 pic.twitter.com/dwbwvvHoFX
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 15, 2023
So, he’s able to work through either approach. Fans, in particular, enjoyed seeing how Greinke handled the situation.
This was how Twitter reacted
best pitch in baseball https://t.co/n2RQJA8Qh5
— cutlet (@jkozak89) March 15, 2023
This is 🐐 status right here https://t.co/xt7YcIK9ZR
— Allison Case (@ThatNYYChick) March 15, 2023
Never a bad time for an eephus!!! https://t.co/wHiWIqTPxT
— JustGloves (@JustGloves) March 15, 2023
Iconic. 👑 https://t.co/pMARRd0pVX
— Jordan Bonadona (@JordanBonadona) March 15, 2023
greinke has been a gift to baseball https://t.co/LaQ6p2n6XK
— gordon doesn't know (@suzakuwatzu) March 15, 2023
THATS WHY HES THE GOAT!!!! https://t.co/V2cCkKhTZu
— mia (@dextersxxxlab) March 15, 2023
Never retire https://t.co/PsX4gg7kbq
— Matt Cashen (@realmattcashen) March 15, 2023
This is fantastic https://t.co/xd0tlqC99w
— Matt Michaels (@MattAndAMic) March 15, 2023
I wouldn’t expect anything less from Greinke 😂 https://t.co/pZr6QXaTyP
— Tyler Koerth (@TylerKoerth) March 15, 2023
Never change, Zack. Never change.
