MLB Rules Changes

[CameronDuke]

Major League Baseball passed a sweeping set of rules changes it hopes will fundamentally overhaul the game, voting Friday to implement a pitch clock and ban defensive shifts in 2023 to hasten the game's pace and increase action.

The league's competition committee, composed of six ownership-level representatives, four players and one umpire, approved a pitch clock of 15 seconds with empty bases and 20 seconds with runners on, a defensive alignment that must include two fielders on each side of the second-base bag with both feet on the dirt as well as rules limiting pick-off moves and expanding the size of bases.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...fensive-shifts

[tommy]

Major League Baseball passed a sweeping set of rules changes it hopes will fundamentally overhaul the game, voting Friday to implement a pitch clock and ban defensive shifts in 2023 to hasten the game's pace and increase action.

The league's competition committee, composed of six ownership-level representatives, four players and one umpire, approved a pitch clock of 15 seconds with empty bases and 20 seconds with runners on, a defensive alignment that must include two fielders on each side of the second-base bag with both feet on the dirt as well as rules limiting pick-off moves and expanding the size of bases.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...fensive-shifts

Not sure what expanding the size of the bases is going to accomplish but thank God the shift is dead. That was killing so much of baseball’s action. Now what needs to happen is a limitation on the number of pitching changes each team can make in a game.

[acdevil]

Increasing the base size increases player safety and stolen bases. Both of which would be a good thing.

Plus it should cut down on ridiculous reviews where there is an over slide by a finger tip.

[75Crazie]

Now what needs to happen is a limitation on the number of pitching changes each team can make in a game.

With the current rule that a relief pitcher must pitch to 3 batters minimum in the current inning (in place for a couple of years now, at least), along with the upcoming change to limit rosters to 13 pitchers, are you suggesting more needs to be done?

[CrazyNotCrazie]

Major League Baseball passed a sweeping set of rules changes it hopes will fundamentally overhaul the game, voting Friday to implement a pitch clock and ban defensive shifts in 2023 to hasten the game's pace and increase action.

The league's competition committee, composed of six ownership-level representatives, four players and one umpire, approved a pitch clock of 15 seconds with empty bases and 20 seconds with runners on, a defensive alignment that must include two fielders on each side of the second-base bag with both feet on the dirt as well as rules limiting pick-off moves and expanding the size of bases.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...fensive-shifts

I like the pitch clock but I don't think it will be enforced well unless someone goes way over - they really need to tighten up the rules on when it really starts. I like that this seems to apply to both pitchers and batters.

I generally am strongly against the big shifts so I think I like the shift move. Though there is a part of me that would prefer that players just learned to hit against the shifts, bunt, etc.

The pick off change doesn't do a lot for me. If a pitcher is out of pickoffs can the runner just basically start running really early since there is nothing the pitcher can do? Not clear on this.

Bigger base also doesn't do much. Just wish I had invested in a company that makes bases as I don't know if this will trickle down to other levels so the whole world will need to go out and buy new bases.

[rasputin]

I like the pitch clock but I don't think it will be enforced well unless someone goes way over - they really need to tighten up the rules on when it really starts. I like that this seems to apply to both pitchers and batters.

I generally am strongly against the big shifts so I think I like the shift move. Though there is a part of me that would prefer that players just learned to hit against the shifts, bunt, etc.

The pick off change doesn't do a lot for me. If a pitcher is out of pickoffs can the runner just basically start running really early since there is nothing the pitcher can do? Not clear on this.

Bigger base also doesn't do much. Just wish I had invested in a company that makes bases as I don't know if this will trickle down to other levels so the whole world will need to go out and buy new bases.

The pitch clock will be enforced, because people will be watching to see if it is enforced. The thing is, the pitch clock has been in place in the minors for awhile, and pitchers getting the call to the big leagues are working faster because they are used to it. Eventually everybody will get used to it, and it's good for the game.

[Blue in the Face]

The pick off change doesn't do a lot for me. If a pitcher is out of pickoffs can the runner just basically start running really early since there is nothing the pitcher can do? Not clear on this.

It certainly gives the runner an advantage, but the pitcher can still throw over - he just better get him. The third throw over is either a successful pick-off or a balk. So a big lead is not without risk for a runner, but it's less risky than when there haven't already been two throws over. I would think pitchers will therefore be more stingy with even a 2nd throw over than they are now too, benefiting runners that little bit more.

[jv001]

Major League Baseball passed a sweeping set of rules changes it hopes will fundamentally overhaul the game, voting Friday to implement a pitch clock and ban defensive shifts in 2023 to hasten the game's pace and increase action.

The league's competition committee, composed of six ownership-level representatives, four players and one umpire, approved a pitch clock of 15 seconds with empty bases and 20 seconds with runners on, a defensive alignment that must include two fielders on each side of the second-base bag with both feet on the dirt as well as rules limiting pick-off moves and expanding the size of bases.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...fensive-shifts

I like the new rules as it should bring more action to the game. The pitch clock rule, number of pick off attempts and bigger bases should bring the stolen base back as an offensive weapon. I'm all for "Whitey Ball". The shift should mean more base runners and more runs. I noticed they included in the shift rule that a team cannot bring their best defender over to side of the infield that a hitter is more likely to hit to. In other words, you can't move your slick fielding shortstop over to the second base side of the infield when a left-handed hitter is at the plate and move your second baseman to the SS position. The league had already added the 3-batter minimum to relief pitchers in an attempt to speed up the game and bring more offense to the game. Next Spring Training is going to be interesting when coaching staffs and players work on the new rules.

[rsvman]

I have no dog in this hunt because I don't even like baseball, but here is another thing I would change. Once the batter gets his third strike he should be out, regardless of whether the catcher gathers the ball or not. If it's 'three strikes you're out' then you should be out before the ball reaches the catcher's mitt, because you already whiffed the ball. How does what happens AFTER you have three strikes matter?

My other suggestion would likely be extremely unpopular and bordering on outrageous, but I think once you have two strikes, there should be a limit on how many times you can hit a foul ball. Maybe say that on the fifth or sixth foul you are out? I know it's probably sacrilege.

[OldPhiKap]

Anything that speeds up the game is welcome.

I’d get rid of reviews too, or limit them to 90 seconds. If you can’t see it’s wrong in that time, the play stands.

[jv001]

Anything that speeds up the game is welcome.

I’d get rid of reviews too, or limit them to 90 seconds. If you can’t see it’s wrong in that time, the play stands.

I'm with getting rid of the reviews but I want to see automated balls and strikes. I think Stevie Wonder could do a better job than some of these umpires. I think the time clock on pitchers and batters and the number of pick off throws and step offs will help speed up the game. The pitchers 3 batter rule that was added 2 seasons ago has helped speed up the game as well. I don't mind a longer game if it's because of more offense.

[OldPhiKap]

FWIW they had pitch clocks in the minor leagues this year (or at least the Carolina League) and it seemed to work fine.

[jv001]

FWIW they had pitch clocks in the minor leagues this year (or at least the Carolina League) and it seemed to work fine.

Is that the Gwinnett Stripers, AAA team for the Atlanta Braves? Georgia baseball fans have had a chance to see some terrific young players come through there.

[rasputin]

Well, back in the day, when the Durham Bulls returned after a long absence, we saw a lot of good players, both Bulls and opposing players. We saw lots of Bulls games in the summer of 1980 and 1981.

[Bluedog]

I'm with getting rid of the reviews but I want to see automated balls and strikes. I think Stevie Wonder could do a better job than some of these umpires. I think the time clock on pitchers and batters and the number of pick off throws and step offs will help speed up the game. The pitchers 3 batter rule that was added 2 seasons ago has helped speed up the game as well. I don't mind a longer game if it's because of more offense.

Tennis has done this to make line calls and it has actually gotten rid of a lot of the complaining. I assume the strike zone is able to be modified according to the batter by a computer fairly easily --- I assume they do it on the graphics they sometimes show, but maybe not. But baseball is full of traditionalists...

[sagegrouse]

I personally would stop the ability of the team on defense to disable the opponent's offense by issuing a base on balls -- intentional or not. The fans come to the game to see the star hitters! How does one make sure they get to hit? Well, the team whose player is walked can turn it down. Well, then just walk him again. Well, the second time he gets second base, and the third time third base.

I mean, give me a break! The best offensive players in the NFL and NBA aren't disabled by "intentional walks." Oh, yeah -- hack-a-Shaq -- but a minor, minor feature of hoops.

[TruBlu]

Well, back in the day, when the Durham Bulls returned after a long absence, we saw a lot of good players, both Bulls and opposing players. We saw lots of Bulls games in the summer of 1980 and 1981.

We’re you there (as was I) for the perfect game pitched for the Bulls around that time? It was a 7 inning game due to it being a part of a doubleheader. The pitcher (I forget his name) was a good, but not great, reliever pressed into starting for the doubleheader. IIRC, he quit baseball the next year.

My crew always sat on the first base side, directly in front of the concessions. We usually formed a human chain on the back rails of the stands down to the concessions to pass our beverages up. We were not un-rowdy.

[DU82]

Tennis has done this to make line calls and it has actually gotten rid of a lot of the complaining. I assume the strike zone is able to be modified according to the batter by a computer fairly easily --- I assume they do it on the graphics they sometimes show, but maybe not. But baseball is full of traditionalists...

They've been using the technology in the minors, at least at the AAA level. Watched a Charlotte game on MLB network (don't know why it was on there) and it seemed fairly smooth. There were three or four "pitch clock errors" resulting in a ball called.

I'd guess the system pre-program's each players' strike zone to speed things along.

On other rule changes, baseball's always had a rule about where the players could/couldn't stand, specifically they all had to be within fair territory except the catcher, who had to be in the catcher's box until the pitch was thrown. This was challenged by first basemen standing partially in foul territory to hold a runner on, but the rule was enforced as "completely". I wonder if a line will be drawn on the infield showing the division, and if so I hope it works better than the "balk line" that was used a while ago ('90s?)

Some softball leagues uses two bases side-by-side at first base, to reduce injuries (had rec ball had this in the '90s, I might still have two functioning ACLs.) I believe the NCAA is implementing that next season. The base-size change helps that, although in my view not anywhere near the same.

[DU82]

We’re you there (as was I) for the perfect game pitched for the Bulls around that time? It was a 7 inning game due to it being a part of a doubleheader. The pitcher (I forget his name) was a good, but not great, reliever pressed into starting for the doubleheader. IIRC, he quit baseball the next year.

My crew always sat on the first base side, directly in front of the concessions. We usually formed a human chain on the back rails of the stands down to the concessions to pass our beverages up. We were not un-rowdy.

I was at that game. It was likely '82-'83. (I wasn't here the summer's of '80 or '81.) I think I won the tickets from WDNC getting a trivia question right as I listened to the games in the computer lab in the Engineering building those summers.

The official MILB says this (in a "on this date" column):
Sunday, April 09, 1989
Dennis Burlingame of the Durham Bulls hurled a seven-inning perfect game on the Carolina League's Opening Day in 1989, defeating the Frederick Keys, 4-0, in the first game of a doubleheader. It was the Bulls' first no-hitter, and the league's first perfect game in eight years. Burlingame was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth Round of the 1987 amateur draft. The Braves then-top pitching prospect, left-hander Steve Avery, threw a two-hitter to shut out the Keys in the second game.

But the Carolina League history lists it:
8/13/1982 Rick Hatcher Durham Salem W 3-0* 7

(Hatcher, who played at Florida State, never made it above AA.)

The CL list includes four other nine inning no-hitters by Durham pitchers, including this one, which may be the one you remember in 1980:
8/29/1980 Rick Behenna Durham Rocky Mount W 8-0 9

(Behenna did make the majors.)

[TruBlu]

I was at that game. It was likely '82-'83. (I wasn't here the summer's of '80 or '81.) I think I won the tickets from WDNC getting a trivia question right as I listened to the games in the computer lab in the Engineering building those summers.

The official MILB says this (in a "on this date" column):
Sunday, April 09, 1989
Dennis Burlingame of the Durham Bulls hurled a seven-inning perfect game on the Carolina League's Opening Day in 1989, defeating the Frederick Keys, 4-0, in the first game of a doubleheader. It was the Bulls' first no-hitter, and the league's first perfect game in eight years. Burlingame was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth Round of the 1987 amateur draft. The Braves then-top pitching prospect, left-hander Steve Avery, threw a two-hitter to shut out the Keys in the second game.

But the Carolina League history lists it:
8/13/1982 Rick Hatcher Durham Salem W 3-0* 7

(Hatcher, who played at Florida State, never made it above AA.)

The CL list includes four other nine inning no-hitters by Durham pitchers, including this one, which may be the one you remember in 1980:
8/29/1980 Rick Behenna Durham Rocky Mount W 8-0 9

(Behenna did make the majors.)

Thanks for the memory jog. It was indeed Rick Hatcher. The official MILB is wrong.