Written by Ed Smith (@EdSmith7133)
The MLB rule changes are a year older, and the results are in. During last year’s off-season, the rules committee made some significant changes to the gameplay of “America’s Pastime.” All that the Major League offices wanted to accomplish took shape in the 2023 season. Let’s take a look at the three main changes.
MLB Rule Changes Explained
- The Pitch Clock: Baseball has never had a clock that winds down to the completion of a game, but there is now a way to ensure that the leisure pace of baseball doesn’t grind the game to a halt. A large complaint of casual fans prior to the introduction of the pitch clock was how extra time between pitches could extend how long each game took. Now, players are limited to a 20-second time frame between each pitch (Failure to throw a pitch within the time frame results in a balk or free advancement for any runner on base). This countdown has reduced the time of each game by approximately twenty-four minutes, keeping fans who would typically lose their attention during an at-bat engaged.
- Throw Over: The pitcher is allowed a max of two pauses to attempt to throw out a batter at any specified base while engaged with the batter. Before the MLB rule changes, pitchers were allowed an unlimited number of attempts. Fans would often become irritated with pitchers who would make these attempts upward of 5 or 6 times during each batter. The new rule also gives the runner a head start in his attempt to steal bases, which has led to a significant increase in both attempts and successes in stealing bases.
- Base Sizes: The most controversial of the MLB rule changes had to do with the size of the bases. Up to this point, all bases were 15×15”. New bases are now 18×18”; however, the distance between bases is still ninety feet, with the ninetieth foot being at the back of the base. Much of the debate about this rule centered around the lessened space between bases, while others argued that this is a rule to increase offense where there doesn’t need to be more offense. In response, the commissioner’s office has pointed out the statistics of increased run production, stolen bases, and an 18% decrease in injuries from plays made during sliding.
New Rules, New Fans
With these MLB rule changes, Major League Baseball is making an attempt to evolve in a real way that attracts new and younger fans. As for that, mission accomplished. Action during the game has increased. Attendance was up by 3 million fans in the 2023 season. The viewership of baseball also increased alongside the lowered run time of each game. And merchandise associated with the Major Leagues went up to $850 million in sales. The game is healthier than it has been, with more interest, excitement, and sponsorship than it had before. While many other rules are being tested for the future, where we stand after the first season of these changes looks so bright the outfielders have to wear shades.