With the 2022 season coming to a close with the Houston Astros as the World Series Champions, the examination, predictions and speculation for next season are only beginning. This year there is another aspect of the game that we get to analyze, as there are a few rule changes for the 2023 season. With these new changes the MLB aims to increase the action and pace of the sport, as well as improve the safety of the game. The major rule changes for the next season include a pitch clock, the increase in the size of the bases and efforts to limit defensive shifts.
The pitch clock is not an unfamiliar concept, yet it is fairly new, as the minor leagues have had it implemented since April 15th of this year. A pitch clock is designed to increase the pace of play. Once implemented, in between pitches, there will be a 15-second timer with the bases empty and a 20-second timer with runners on. With the minor leagues as a guide, the pitch timer has decreased the time of the game by about 26 minutes. This rule also reduces the amount of times pitchers can check a baserunner, and a result of this has been the increased stolen base attempts. I do believe that this rule will increase the experience of baseball, as one of the main reasons I hear when someone says they don’t like watching baseball is that it’s too long. With evidence from the minor leagues this rule change has the possibility of increasing viewer count as the action of plays will be closer together, and it can keep the game running smoothly.
With an increase in the base size of 3 inches, from 15 inches to 18 inches, the MLB hopes to make it safer for baserunners and fielders during closer plays. They hope that increasing the surface area of the base will provide more operation space, as well as decreasing the chance of collisions between players at the same bags. This will most likely be the most effective at first base, as it is the only base an offensive player runs through, since it gives both players 3 more inches to stay out of harm’s way. This rule will also give an advantage to baserunners, as the 3 bases (excluding home plate) will now be 4 ½ inches closer to each other with the size increase. This could also be an effort to increase stolen base attempts as well. This rule change will have a positive impact on baseball, as there have been many injuries caused to both runners and fielders because of the base size. Hopefully we will see a decrease in players being stepped on and player collisions, but see an increase in stolen bases.
Lastly, and my favorite rule change, there will be an elimination of the shift. A shift is when a team uses a batter’s analytics against them. Players would be moved to the most likely areas a batter was projected to hit the ball, sometimes this meant moving an infielder to the other side of second base in order to cover a whole field side with three defenders. Now with these rules to limit shifts, fielders will have to rely on more of their athleticism and return to a more traditional outcome of batted balls. There are now rules in place that infielders may not switch sides, and when the pitcher is on the rubber, the 4 infielders have to be within the infield dirt. This does not forbid an outfielder from being pulled in, it only restricts the possibility of a four person outfield. This rule will improve batting averages across baseball, mainly for the lefty batters, as true base hits up the middle will not be contested by a player being positioned there. This will bring back the more traditional way of playing baseball, with players relying on their athleticism and skills rather than just being placed in an area due to a batter’s stats.
Baseball is a sport that fundamentally doesn’t change, but as with anything there is always room for improvement. These new rule changes were made to hopefully increase the experience and safety of the game. These rules to increase the action and pace of the sport should improve the fan experience, and the player’s experience as well. These new changes also bring back the traditional feel of baseball and truly showcase a player’s skill in the game.