Cubs' Suzuki Struck Out on Pitch-Clock Violation After Groin Foul vs Royals

During a game between the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki fouled a pitch that bounced off the dirt and struck him in the groin, causing significant pain and delay. Despite the unusual circumstance, home plate umpire Clint Vondrak issued a pitch-clock violation against Suzuki for exceeding the allotted time without calling a timeout, resulting in a third strike and ending the inning. This decision sparked controversy and criticism from Suzuki's manager, Craig Counsell, and others who argued that common sense should allow leeway for players hit in such sensitive areas without requiring a timeout. While the MLB pitch clock rule allows umpires to provide extra time for special circumstances, the lack of explicit guidelines for injuries like this has led to calls for rule revisions to better protect players and ensure fairness. The incident has ignited discussions about the implementation and flexibility of the pitch clock, emphasizing the need to balance game pace with player welfare. Royals pitcher Noah Cameron recorded the strikeout in this unusual manner, marking a rare and awkward milestone in his career.