Let’s talk MLB rule changes.
Do you think baseball shouldn’t be messed with, or do you favor evolution of the sport?
Baseball has been America’s pastime, or one of them, since the 19th century, when baseball-like games sprung up using informal rules. When amateur men’s clubs formed in the 1830s-1850s, rules became more standardized, and by the time the National Association of Professional Baseball Players was founded in 1871, formal rules were in place. Other leagues gave way to the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1876, with its current form begun in 1901, and its rival the American League began the same year.
Along the way rules have changed … often. In the beginning, batters could request a high or low pitch, fly balls could be caught on a bounce, pitchers threw underhand, batters could use flat bats, spitballs were legal, throwing a pitch at a batter to hit him was legal, balls that bounced into the stands were considered home runs and umpires could confer with spectators before making decisions. Other since-discarded rules included a circular home plate; walks were lessened from seven balls to six to five to the current four; and the strike zone has been changed from shoulders to knees to the current “stripe” from the numbers to mid-thigh. The pitcher’s rubber “slab” was moved from 50 feet to 60 feet, 6 inches from home, the pitcher’s mound has been lowered, and balls and gloves were allowed to be discarded on the field after each half inning. The designated hitter began as an experimental rule, pitchers can no longer throw at a batter intentionally, runners can no longer “take out” a middle infielder on double plays, catchers can no longer block home plate and the runner can’t crash into the catcher. The designated hitter became universal, electronic replays of calls on the field became standard and “ghost” runners to start extra innings are being used.
OK, I hate the “ghost" runner. How about you?
Many other changes have occurred as the game continued to evolve. Recently, MLB enacted several controversial rule changes. Pitch clocks will be used beginning in 2023, defensive shifts are essentially banned and wider bases will be placed on the field of play.
A pitch timer will limit the amount of time a pitcher can take between pitches. Pitchers will have up to 15 seconds between pitches when the bases are empty and up to 20 seconds between pitches with at least one runner on base. The change is expected to speed up the pace of play and shorten game times. Additionally, pitchers are limited to two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance. If a third pickoff attempt is made, the runner automatically advances one base if the pickoff attempt is not successful.
Defensive shifts will be limited. Two infielders will be required to be positioned on each side of second base, and all four infielders must be positioned within the outer boundary of the infield. MLB says the changes “will return the game to a more traditional aesthetic” with the goal of “encouraging more balls in play, giving players more opportunities to showcase their athleticism, and offsetting the growing trend of alignments that feature four outfielders.”
MLB will also implement larger bases in 2023, increasing from 15 inches square to 18 inches square. Larger bases have reduced base-related injuries by 13.5% in the Minor Leagues this season, according to the league. Additionally, the larger bases reduce the distance between bases by 4.5 inches, which the league expects will encourage more base-stealing.
Wow, the game will change, more stolen bases, more safe runners on close plays. I like the pitch clock and the shift has gotten out of hand.
The next big change should occur for 2024, when the electronic “robot” umpire at home plate to call balls and strikes should be enacted as MLB wants to perfect and fine-tune the technology and the challenge procedure. I am in favor of that one, as I hate seeing balls called strikes on an umpire’s whim, or strikes called balls because the ump plain missed it.
What do you think? Is baseball sacred the way it was, or are changes necessary for today’s world of entertainment? Let me know how you feel at mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com.
