Major League Baseball’s newest exhibition season is scheduled to begin Friday. Each team is expected to play their first spring training competition no later than Saturday, meaning it’s almost time for players, coaches and fans across the league to get acquainted with the sweeping changes MLB will be making over the course of the offseason set of rules made.
How different will the MLB product look this year? Baseball Operations EVP Morgan Sword recently told ESPN that the new regulations “represent probably the biggest change that’s been made to baseball in most of our lifetimes.” It would be easy to blame Sword for overdoing it, but he’s right: the league will introduce a pitch timer; limit defensive positioning; and install bigger bases to improve game pace and theoretically add more action to the game by re-stimulating contact and speed. (MLB will also enforce its own Balk Rules more religiously.)
With so many changes in the air, we thought this would be a good time to do some sort of hands-on introduction, breaking down the new rules, how they’ve been received so far, and what other adjustments might be to come.
1. The new rules and how they work
As mentioned in the introduction, there are three main changes you’ll notice this season: the pitch timer, defensive positioning limitations, and larger bases.
The pitch timer will be the most ubiquitous of the new features. Essentially, pitchers must begin their deliveries within 15 seconds with empty bases and within 20 seconds with at least one runner on board. Time violations result in an automatic ball. Additionally, pitchers are only allowed to “disengage” twice during a given plate appearance — that includes stepping off the rubber or even trying to pick up a baserunner.
Hitters also have timer-related rules that they must follow. Namely, you must be in the pits and “warn” the pitcher with at least eight seconds remaining on the clock. You are now only allowed one time out per record appearance. If batters breach any of the aspects, they are charged with an automatic strike.
The new defensive positioning rules will eliminate overshifts. Teams must have four fielders within the infield boundary whenever the pitcher is on the rubber, with two fielders stationed on either side of the second base bag at the time of the pitch. Teams are still allowed to bring an outfielder into either the infield or the flat outfield. However, they are not allowed to field a formation with four outfielders. Positioning violations result in the opposing team choosing an automatic ball or the outcome of the game.
MLB’s new bases (left) measure 18 square inches. The old bases were 15 square inches. Getty Images
The bases are measured at 18 square inches instead of 15 square inches. The bulkier pockets have two potential benefits. One is improved player safety, as there is more room for fielders and baserunners to avoid a potential collision. Another, perhaps less likely benefit, is to give teams a greater incentive to attempt a stolen base. Because the larger bases reduce the distance between the stations, which increases the chances of success.
How are the baseball people taking all of these changes? Nice that you asked.
2. What people are saying about the new rules
Predictably, during the first week of camp, players were asked for their opinions on the merits and implementation of the new rules. Also, predictably, there was a variety of attitudes, some for, some against.
Houston Astros seamer Ryan Pressly, for example, isn’t a fan of the pitch clock because it goes against what players were taught during its development. However, he acknowledged that it will be up to pitchers to make the necessary changes to comply with the rulebook.
“I think every pitcher is taught to have their own pace, be controlled, breathe and slow the game down,” Pressly told the Houston Chronicle. “Now the pitch clock will affect that a little bit, but we’re all big leagues. We can make an adjustment.”
While the timer could work against pitchers’ ingrained beliefs and developed habits, the extinction of the overlay could benefit players — especially those who trust their own instincts and believe it’s a good, if not a great, deal is to hit the ball hard in the middle.
“I think a lot of us are really looking forward to it,” Chicago Cubs first baseman Eric Hosmer told MLB.com. “It just looks like there will be more goals for boys. There’s no worse feeling than hitting the ball hard in the middle and seeing the shortstop stand right there. Maybe this could be better especially for the offensive player left-handed.”
We’d be remiss if we didn’t take this opportunity to point out how Red Sox manager Alex Cora compared the larger bases to “pizza boxes.” On a more serious, informative note, Cora downplayed the chances that the new bases would reignite everyone’s desire to go wild whenever they had a player on board.
“If we talk to the minor league coaches and everyone who used the rules last year – it’s not like we’re going to suddenly steal 100 bags with a guy,” Cora said. “The value of the out is still in play and you get 27. So you have to be smart, you have to be efficient.”
Of course, this is baseball, and that means teams will try to find ways to get around the new rules. Still, it appears the league will be keeping a close eye on clubs to ensure they don’t get too creative to circumvent or directly exploit the new rulebook additions.
“As far as I understand, you can’t push the envelope,” Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash told the Tampa Bay Times. “If MLB defines it or the ref says you’re taking advantage of the rule, they’re going to say no.”
3. More rule changes could come
The MLB may say no to taking advantage of these new rules, but the league (and the MLBPA) may say yes to introducing even more folds and variances into the sport.
Most notably, MLB will continue to experiment with the automated ball hitting system (aka robot umpire) at Triple-A level. All of the Triple-A games played Monday through Thursday this year will have their zones dictated by technology. Games played Friday through Sunday, on the other hand, will use the automated ball strike system on a challenge basis.
MLB has also tinkered with the “pie wedge” defensive positioning constraint, which makes the area behind second base off-limits, at various levels and in various leagues; the “double-hook” system, which dictates that teams lose their DH if their starting pitcher does not last five innings; and the “drop pitch” rule, which allows batsmen to reach base on wild pitches and passing balls. (Successful thugs are credited with one hit.)
Will any of these rules or tweaks make their way to the Majors? Maybe one day. Right now, MLB has enough signings to keep everyone on their toes — and hopefully on the right side of the pitch timer and infield limits.