The new MLB rules impact almost every facet of the game – pitching, hitting, baserunning and fielding. USA TODAY takes a look at what the changes are, what they're trying to accomplish and what challenges they might present.
last season was 3 hours, 6 minutes. That was down from the all-time high of 3:11 in 2021, but it still reinforced the perception that today's MLB games tend to have long stretches of inactivity.
To speed up the pace of the game, MLB wants to cut down on the number of times pitchers and batters are allowed to stop play. There is a 30-second timer between batters and a time limit between pitches. After receiving the ball from the catcher or umpire, pitchers are required to begin their motion within 15 seconds with the bases empty or within 20 seconds with runners on base. If they don't, they're charged with an automatic ball.
Hitters also share the responsibility to keep the game moving. They must be in the batter's box and ready for the pitch by the time the clock reaches 8 seconds. If not, they're charged with an automatic strike. A batter can call time out only once per plate appearance.As the number of home runs has risen in recent years, stolen base attempts have declined as MLB teams tend to play for the big inning rather than a single run.
By making the bases slightly larger, a runner has less distance to cover to make it safely, thereby increasing the percentage of successfully stealing a base. Larger bases also help reduce the odds of injury from a collision between a fielder and a runner.The bases are now 18 inches square . That decreases the distance between first, second and third base by 4.5 inches.
In addition, pitchers are limited to a maximum of two pickoff attempts per plate appearance. If a pitcher attempts a third pickoff throw and doesn't get the runner out, it's an automatic balk and all runners move up one base.While it's not new in 2023, MLB did say this past offseason it was permanently implementing a provision in use since 2020 that every half inning after the ninth begins with a runner on second base.
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