Introduction
Major League Baseball is once again implementing significant changes to its rules in hopes of improving the pace and excitement of the game. The most notable change for the upcoming 2023 season is the pitch clock, which will limit the time between pitches. However, it is just one of several changes aimed at speeding up games and restoring some of baseball’s historical characteristics.
The Pitch Clock
The pitch clock has been a topic of discussion for years and was tested during spring training in 2022. It successfully trimmed an average of 25 minutes per game, making it MLB’s shortest average game time since 1982. As expected, the pitch clock will be the most noticeable change for fans during the regular season. It requires pitchers to throw within 15 seconds with no runners on base and within 20 seconds with runners on base. This should decrease downtime and keep games moving at a faster pace while making baseball look more like its past.
Changes to Defensive Positioning
Defensive positioning has become a problem that slows games down with players often being shifted around on defense, causing long pauses between plays. To restore defense, MLB has now implemented restrictions on defensive positioning. Teams will now be required to have two infielders on each side of second base when a pitch is delivered. The new rule aims to put more balls in play by allowing hitters more opportunities to find gaps in the field.
Bigger Bases and Limits on Stepoffs and Pickoffs
MLB has also increased the size of first, second, and third base from 15 inches square to 18 inches to increase safety levels as well as provide more surface area for baserunners. Meanwhile, limits have been introduced on pitcher step-offs and pickoff attempts which are expected to speed up play by reducing the number of unnecessary delays during games.
The Struggle with Game Length
Game length has long been an issue in baseball, and attempts have been made in the past to address it. In 1901 a 20-second rule was introduced but it was difficult to enforce without an official timekeeper. The pitch clock itself was born during the peak of game length increase in the mid-1950s to mid-1960s, and umpires were slow in its adoption due to officials being divided on its implementation. Even Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg suggested using a 20-second clock to speed up play during games but his idea was not implemented.
Changes to Increase Action and Pace of Games
To further increase the action and pace of games, the shift has been eliminated and all infielders will now be required to start on the infield dirt. This change aims to favor left-handed hitters by opening up more space for them to hit balls that would usually end up being caught by outfielders.
Conclusion
Despite concerns from some fans that these changes may disrupt the game’s traditional pace and rhythm, it is expected that these rule changes will reduce average game times from last year’s average of 3:03, with some games being played in under two hours while others go for just over three hours. The goal is to make baseball exciting again, returning it to its roots characterized by straight-up defense, stolen bases, and faster tempos which defined the sport in the past. It remains for fans to see how these new rules will work during the upcoming season.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
