Major League Baseball voted on Friday to implement rule changes aimed at pace of play at the Major league level and how the game is played from a strategic standpoint. Because of the way that the league’s competition committee is structured, player representatives input had no outcome on the final vote.
There remains a Grand Canyon size gap between the league and players as they acted without input from the representatives who actually play the game. Unfortunately, the league’s motive to shorten games and a push toward more offense was the driving force in the vote.
The Players voted unanimously against the implementation of rules pertaining to defensive shifts and the use of a pitch clock, they released a statement following the vote:
Statement on Competition Committee vote pic.twitter.com/8176xAwPZT
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) September 9, 2022
The joint committee is lopsided in how it is made up of representatives, and with rule changes so far and few in MLB, this vote is a display of their division.
Rules to expect looking ahead to 2023
The competition committee approved a pitch clock of 15 seconds with bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on, the approval of a strict pitch clock of 15 seconds between pitches with bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base.
Defensive alignments that must include two fielders on each side of the second base bag with both feet positioned on the dirt with the limiting of moves the opposing pitcher can make with pickoffs to bases.
The size of actual bases will increase from 15 to 18 inches, aimed at player safety and increasing stolen bases as a result.
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