We’ll see an assortment of 2023 MLB rule changes, as the sport’s Competition Committee puts new limitations on defensive shifts, implements a pitch timer and approves larger bases.
Though it’s been debated for years and criticized by some purists, the pitch timer is deigned to improve pace of play and reduce dead time. The Pitch Timer Regulations include the following provisions:
The numbers show that pitch timers do work, if the MiLB experience carries through to MLB Compared to last season, the pitch clock reduced the average nine-inning game time by 26 minutes (from 3:04 in 2021 to 2:38 in 2022) while increasing action on the field. A bonus: Stolen base attempts per game have increased from 2.23 in 2019, at a 68 percent success rate, to 2.83 in 2022, at a 77 percent success rate. Once players got used to a pitch clock, we found it was a self-regulating rule–MiLB has averaged just 0.45 timer violations per game in the most recent week of play.
We also expect plenty of criticism of the new restrictions on shifts: purists will point out that defensive shifts have been part of the game for decadesand that the test of a great hitter should be how they handle the shift.
The new rule mandates two infielders must be positioned on each side of second base when the pitch is released, and All four infielders must have both feet within the outer boundary of the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber. Not entirely sure this is a move toward a traditional aesthetic as MLB argues (heck, Ted Williams faced shifts during his career), but it does remove a stats-driven part of the game and it does encourage more balls in play.
Not all the rule changes are controversial. The move to larger bases has been closely vetted in the minors; we’ve attended many games this season and didn’t see it impacting a game once, much less being noticeable. The specifics: the size of first, second,= and third base will increase from the standard 15 inches square to 18 inches square, with the goal of positive impact on player health. Tested out this season in the minors, base-related injuries decreased by 13.5 percent in MiLB this season, including declines at every level.
The new rules will be implemented in 2023 spring training.
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