Before the 2022 MLB season started, the league and the Players Association agreed to a set of rule changes ahead of 2023.
The rule changes cover three areas that have become controversial in recent years: time/pace of play, baserunner safety, and the use of shifts by teams in the infield and outfield.
The league sent out a reminder about the modifications to be implemented this upcoming season on a recent tweet.
“New on-field rules are coming in 2023, and we have answers for your questions,” the league tweeted, with a handy Q&A-type article that covers all the changes.
New on-field rules are coming in 2023, and we have answers for your questions: https://t.co/Zk1KFZMumG pic.twitter.com/hFyrkagA34
—MLB (@MLB) February 7, 2023
One of the most controversial items has been the pitch clock.
Hurlers are mostly against it, but the league was determined to include it in the proposed changes.
Pitchers will now have 15 seconds to start their motion between pitches, otherwise they will be charged with an automatic ball.
That’s with the bases empty: they will have 20 seconds if there are runners on base.
The shift ban will force all teams to have two infielders at each side of second base at every time.
As for the bases, they will be bigger from this year on.
They used to be 15 square inches, now they will be 18 square inches: that will reduce the distance between bases by 4.5 inches and will help fielders and baserunners avoid costly and painful lower-body injuries in close plays.
All three changes will have a big impact on gameplay flow and its nature.
Hopefully players can adapt quickly and pitchers can get used to work on a slightly accelerated pace, which seems to be the biggest issue of the three.
