• Loading stock data...
Friday, November 22, 2024

MLB To Implement Pace-of-Play Rule Changes

  • The MLB rules committee voted on a number of rule changes on Friday.
  • The changes are aimed at making the game more interesting, as well as speeding up the pace.
Chicago-Cubs-players-celebrating
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The long-standing effort to make baseball fun again has taken a major step forward.

On Friday, the MLB rules committee voted in favor on several changes for next season aimed at increasing the pace of play, shortening games, and making games more exciting, the league announced. The committee includes players, owner-level team executives, and an umpire.

MLB has struggled in recent years to compete with the speed and excitement of other sports — and hopes these changes could help. The league has conducted both research and trial periods in the minor leagues.

One of the most drastic changes: Rules that effectively prohibit the shift — a consequence of increased data technology that has worked almost too well, decreasing the number of successful hits. 

To speed up the game, the league will implement a 15-second pitch clock — with a 20-second pitch clock if there are runners on base. Hitters have time restrictions too, and can only call one time-out. If pitchers violates the clock, a ball will be added to the count. If hitters do, a strike will be added, per ESPN.

MLB found that this rule, when implemented in the minors, reduced game time by an average of 26 minutes.

Players voted against the shift prohibition and the pitch clock, the Major League Baseball Players Association said in a statement. “Major League Baseball was unwilling to meaningfully address the areas of concern the players raised,” the organization added.

Pitchers will also only be allowed to disengage from the rubber two times per at-bat, limiting the opportunities to pick off players.

The league will increase the base sizes, which would not only prevent injuries but also entice players to try to steal bases more often. The committee reportedly voted unanimously on this change.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Rays $1.3B Ballpark Plans Stalled by Bond Delays, Hurricane Fallout

St. Petersburg officials vote to delay bonds for a new ballpark.

Roki Sasaki Pursuit Could Lead to Chaos in 2025 International Class

Big league clubs may redirect bonus pool money to chase the Japanese phenom.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

What’s Next for Hapless Jets?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) smiles while answering a question Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, after an Indiana Fever practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Caitlin Clark a ‘Vital’ Part of Cincinnati NWSL Bid As League Expands

The WNBA superstar has joined an NWSL expansion bid in Cincinnati.
Aaron Rodgers
November 19, 2024

Jets Clean House With Only Aaron Rodgers Remaining

Joe Douglas’s firing wasn’t a surprise, but the timing was.
Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis acknowledges a fan before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.
November 21, 2024

Mark Davis to Unload More of the Raiders

He’s agreed to give 15% to new owners, shortly after the Brady sale.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Michele Kang
November 19, 2024

Michele Kang Drops Whopping $30 Million on U.S. Soccer

It’s the largest gift to the federation focused on girls and women.
November 18, 2024

Roaring to the Top: Lions Become Super Bowl Favorites for First Time

This is the first time in franchise history Detroit is favored to win the Super Bowl.
November 17, 2024

Dallas Wings Secure No. 1 WNBA Pick Projected to be Paige Bueckers

Bueckers has endorsement deals with Nike and Gatorade and an equity stake in Unrivaled.
November 13, 2024

NHL’s Smallest-Market Team Is Breaking Records, Securing Its Future

Both wins and attendance are way up for the often-overlooked NHL franchise.