Rules changes for 2023 looming?

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Looks like some new rules are possible....depending on the committee votes.

Sources: MLB to vote on rule changes Friday

The Major League Baseball competition committee is set to vote Friday on rule changes that would begin in 2023 with an eye on quickening the pace of play, according to sources familiar with the situation.

www.espn.com

• A 15-second pitch clock with the bases empty and a 20-second clock with runners on.
• Two disengagements from the rubber -- including pickoff attempts -- per plate appearance.
• A requirement by hitters to be in the batter's box and "alert" with eight seconds to go on the clock. Hitters are allowed one timeout per plate appearance.
• Only two infielders will be allowed on each side of second base, with all four required to be on the dirt (or inner grass)
• Infielders cannot position themselves on the outfield grass before the pitch is thrown.
• Bases will increase in size from 15 inches squared to 18.

 

[All-Star Benchwarmer]

I wish the powers that be in MLB would knock this shit off. Baseball doesn't need new rules to speed up the game or attract new fans.

And if batters actually knew how to hit or bunt, there wouldn't be a need to overshift the infield.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

I wish the powers that be in MLB would knock this shit off. Baseball doesn't need new rules to speed up the game or attract new fans.

And if batters actually knew how to hit or bunt, there wouldn't be a need to overshift the infield.

My only issue is with making the bases bigger.
Just leave them alone. They're fine how they are now and always have been.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Here's an interesting link from the baseball almanac on the history/timeline of rules changes....

MLB Rule Changes | Baseball Almanac

Baseball rule changes, a timeline of MLB rules, by Baseball Almanac.

www.baseball-almanac.com

 

[redseat]

Why is there a "need" to change base size?

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Why is there a "need" to change base size?

To encourage stealing bases.

 

[redseat]

To encourage stealing bases.

I guess but will teams actually do that?

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Personally, I am fine with shorter games if it the game flows better. From what I've seen in the minors, it does accomplish that. So I am fine with it.

 

[Carnzo]

I'm good with the changes to speed things up a bit and base stealing is exciting.
My sons never got into the game as it's to slow for them. If it works to get them interested I'm all for it.

 

[RobToxin]

I wish the powers that be in MLB would knock this shit off. Baseball doesn't need new rules to speed up the game or attract new fans.

And if batters actually knew how to hit or bunt, there wouldn't be a need to overshift the infield.

I don't need no rules change to stop the ridiculous shift.

Just hit 'em where they ain't.

A few grounball singles placed right where a defender would have been had he not shifted will put a fast end to that nonsense.

 

[mr.hockey4242]

Pitch clock is awesome

And im all for no more shift. Get back to traditional infield D.

And I always find it funny when people say just hit it against the shift. Ok so just forget how youve hit for 20+ years of your life pre shift and start doing something totally different. All while going for..........singles.

These are also the same people who mocked players like Joe Mauer for sacrificing power and using the whole field to hit singles.

Standard infield set up makes it fair for every player. The defenders defend the areas they grew up defending. The pitchers pitch the ways theyve always pitched. The batters bat the way they have always hit.

 

[Montalban]

MSN

www.msn.com

Interesting rule change

 

[Montalban]

Pitch clock is awesome

And im all for no more shift. Get back to traditional infield D.

And I always find it funny when people say just hit it against the shift. Ok so just forget how youve hit for 20+ years of your life pre shift and start doing something totally different. All while going for..........singles.

These are also the same people who mocked players like Joe Mauer for sacrificing power and using the whole field to hit singles.

Standard infield set up makes it fair for every player. The defenders defend the areas they grew up defending. The pitchers pitch the ways theyve always pitched. The batters bat the way they have always hit.

I like the pitch clock and the batter having to stay in the box but I'm not so sure about the anti shift rule. Hitters should be able to adjust. I wouldn't care if they put 9 guys in right field if they thought that would get a guy out.

 

[Montalban]

It was interesting to watch an inning of the Phillies-Nationals game tonight and they put a pitch clock on Syndergard who is normally one of the slower pitchers and he never reached the time limit on any pitch. That surprised me

 

[podsox]

They should just ban infielders from playing in the outfield. They should still be allowed too shift imo

 

[rmilia1]

I don't really like the pitch clock

At least not at 15 and 20

That's seems real quick.

 

[msgkings322]

Only 2 pickoff attempts allowed per batter? How's that gonna work? What prevents a guy from taking a lead half way to second after the 2 attempts?

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

Only 2 pickoff attempts allowed per batter? How's that gonna work? What prevents a guy from taking a lead half way to second after the 2 attempts?

Then I guess there's gonna be an increase in pitchouts after the 2 pickoff tries...but of course that'll depend on the count on the hitter at the plate....and it could also lead to more balks too.

 

[Montalban]

I don't really like the pitch clock

At least not at 15 and 20

That's seems real quick.

I thought so to but its not. They used an unofficial pitch clock for a couple of innings yesterday during the Phillies-Nationals game and not once did syndergard go over the allotted time. I was surprised

 

[Montalban]

Anything that speeds up the game is good in my opinion. I love the runner on second to start the inning in extras. This makes every at bat in extras count. And the interminable at bats where the batter steps out after every pitch and adjust his gloves and his crotch. Its become ridiculous. That will stop