Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a series of rule changes that will be implemented in 2024. These changes aim to improve the pace of the game and address concerns raised by players and fans. Here are the key rule changes:
1. Pitch Clock: With runners on base, pitchers will now have 18 seconds between pitches, down from 20 seconds. This change is in response to the increasing length of games and aims to speed up the pace of play.
2. Runner’s Lane: The dirt area along the first-base line will be widened by 6 inches. This change will allow runners to take a more direct route from home to first base, eliminating the need to navigate between fair and foul territory.
3. Fewer Mound Visits: The number of mound visits per team, per game will be reduced from five to four. However, teams that have used all their allotted visits will receive one extra visit in the ninth inning. Mound visits have been a source of controversy and have contributed to longer game times.
In addition to these major changes, there are three other tweaks to pace-of-game rules:
– Relievers will have two minutes to warm up if they’re late leaving the bullpen after a mid-inning pitching change, down from 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
– The pitch clock will start after a foul ball when the pitcher has the ball and all fielders have returned to their positions. This prevents pitchers from stalling by taking their time to return to the mound.
– Pitchers who warm up at the start of an inning will be required to face at least one hitter. This rule change prevents unnecessary pitching changes after a pinch hitter has been announced.
While some proposed changes were withdrawn or are still under discussion, the approved rule changes will be implemented in the 2024 season, starting from spring training. MLB expects these changes to reduce the average game time by approximately five minutes.
(Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn / Minnesota Twins / Getty Images)