Significant rule changes are coming to Major League Baseball in 2023.
The league’s competition committee voted to ban defensive shifts and implement a 15 to 20-second pitch clock. Also included in the vote was the addition of bases that are 18 inches square, up from 15 and a limit on pickoff attempts.
There was player dissent in the voting on defensive shifts and pitch clocks. The 11-person competition committee is comprised of six league appointees, four from the Players Association and one umpire. The MLBPA released the following statement after the vote was made public:
Starting next season, all four infielders need to have their feet on the infield dirt with two infielders on either side of second base. The days of a second baseman playing in shallow right field or a shortstop being the only infielder on the left side of the diamond are numbered. The penalty for violating the rule is a ball, unless the play results in the hitter reaching base safely.
Along with a pitch clock, a number of rules were added to speed up the game, according to The Athletic. With no runners on, pitchers will have 15 seconds to begin their motion to the plate. With runners on base, the clock is set to 20 seconds.
Just about every aspect of an at-bat will be subject to a timer:
- Batters must have both feet in the batter’s box with eyes on the pitcher with eight seconds left on the timer. Batters can only request for time once. If the batter requests time and steps out of the box for a second time, he could be charged with a strike.
- Catchers must be in the catcher’s box at nine seconds. If a catcher or pitcher is in violation of the pitch clock, they are penalized with a ball. For hitters, it’s a strike.
- There’s a 30-second clock between batters within an inning. Walk-up music is limited to no more than 10 seconds. Music in between pitches will also be limited.
- Stepping off the mound or “disengagements” are limited to two per plate appearance, unless the runner advances. In that case, the pitcher gets an additional two step offs. A violation results in a balk if the runner is safe. Stepping off also resets the pitch clock.
Shift banning could significantly benefit left-handed pull-side sluggers (Kyle Schwarber), but hurt those who have a more balanced approach.
Pitch clocks were implemented in the minor leagues this season and though there are flaws, it does seem to be the most effective method for reducing the amount of time it takes to play a game.
It’s also possible pitch clocks could lead to more balls in play. Strikeouts are up not because hitters are less talented, want to hit home runs all the time or don’t care about striking out. They are up because more pitchers are throwing with maximum effort with high velocity and the pitch clock should help combat that.
Between rule changes and uniform sponsors, get ready for baseball to look a lot different in 2023.
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