MLB update: Newly added rules changing baseball drastically
It’s hard to believe that we are already two weeks past opening day, but there has been much to discuss as the baseball season has begun with booming headlines. This early season has provided baseball fans with a set of new rules for MLB games that are quicker and extremely exciting to watch, which MLB commissioner, Rob Manfred, was aiming for. Although we are barely through April, the young season has provided many surprises and changes that hopefully give the MLB a greater audience.
A new set of rules added into ‘America’s Pastime’ has already changed the landscape of baseball for many years to come. The size alteration of the bases, giving them a larger surface area, along with a pitch clock, timing pitchers and batters to speed up the process between pitches, has changed the momentum and speed of games in the MLB that have been obeying the same rules for over a hundred years. This adjustment has either been approved or disapproved by MLB fans around the globe but for he players, it’s most certainly beneficial. The pitch clock comes in effect with a timed 30 seconds between batters, 15 seconds with no runners on base, and 20 seconds with runners on base, along with limiting pitchers to just two disengagements such as stepping off the mound or using a pick off maneuver, according to the MLB rule glossary.
Now pitchers and batters need to be aware of the clock to make sure they do not exceed their allotted time to either throw the pitch or stand in the batter’s box to receive one or else consequences will be given with a ball added onto the count for the pitcher or a strike added for a batter. Once the batter and pitcher make ‘eye contact’ with one another, it gives a mutual signal that they’re both prepared for the upcoming pitch. Pitchers not being able to use unlimited pick off attempts like before and enlarging the bases has increased the attempts and success rate of runners stealing bases significantly.
According to an article written by MLB.com reporter David Adler, the stolen base percentage in the first week of 2023 compared to the first week of last season increased by a whopping 12% as the first 87 games in 2022 had 61 stolen bases on 91 attempts (68.5%), and the first 91 games in 2023 had 124 stolen bases on 154 attempts (80.5%) proving the clear consequence of these rules yet Commissioner Manfred intended for this to happen.
Manfred and the rest of the MLB’s ‘higher-ups’ were looking to make this change to also decrease the duration of baseball games in hopes to chorale more fans attention as many consumers’ patience has dwindled with the new age of social media and rapid entertainment along with giving players greater time to rest and take time off their bodies. That goal seems to be working as the average time for MLB games so far this season has been just below two and half hours compared to the three-hour average of 2022 baseball games. That thirty minutes or so may not seem like much but after adding up the thirty minutes over a 162-game span means 81 less hours of time on the field for the players giving them much more est and hopefully better health especially for the teams heading to the post season.
It will take some time to get used to these new adaptations, but the MLB is looking to change with the modern times and draw in a broader audience to the wonderful sport that is baseball. We will continue to provide updates on the MLB season and more here at spotlifeasia.com.
