New Rules for 2023 - Pitch clock, shift banning and larger bases

[John_Havok]

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-set-to-implement-rule-changes-for-2023-including-a-pitch-clock-per-report/

 

If anyone has a subscription to The Athletic they get into far more detail than this CBS article about full details, but the short version is:

 

the Pitch clock will be 30 seconds between hitters. The catcher must be in his box and ready with nine seconds left on the timer while the hitter has to have both feet in the box and "be alert to the pitcher" within eight seconds of the clock starting.

 

Pitchers can still step off the rubber, which would reset the clock to 20 seconds if there's a baserunner and 15 seconds if there isn't. They are only permitted to do this twice per batter, though.

 

The shift ban:

 

Upon release of each pitch, there must be a minimum of four defenders -- other than the battery -- with both feet within the outer boundary of the infield dirt.

Upon release of the pitch, there must be two of the four infielders on each side of second base.

The team must designate two infielders for each side of second base and they cannot switch (for example, a team can't have a stud defender move back and forth based upon the handedness of the hitter).

 

 

Larger bases:

 

The bases have been 15 inches, square, on each side for decades and the size will increase to 18 inches on each side. There are a list of reasons for the change, among them that players' feet are much bigger now than when the bases were designed, possibly increasing the action on the basepaths (making it easier to steal bases or take the extra base on hits) and to possibly make it easier for players to stay on second and third in close plays instead of having long replays to see if a player barely came off the bag for a split second.

[Laika]

lmao

[Orgfiller]

So the shift wording if I'm understanding correctly still allows for 5 man infield in extreme cases, although you can't stack 4 infielders on one side like I think has been done before by some team. 4 man outfield and the more traditional shift are goners for sure. We might see a modified shift with the third defender (the SS or 3B) essentially playing as straight up the middle as the rules allow, with them taking an extra step or two towards the pull side as the pitch is being delivered.

[Stangstag]

Robo strikes??

[z3r0s]

Is this coming right to MLB or still in the minors testing?

 

I don't have a huge issue with any of these honestly. The pitch clock is obviously the biggest one, but I doubt you notice it once the players get used to the pace they need to keep.

I don't think you'll notice the shift rules or bigger bases at all while watching. Teams will still shift, it will just be less dramatic. And I think that more balls in play going for hits would generally improve the game.

[Stangstag]

Is this coming right to MLB or still in the minors testing?

 

I don't have a huge issue with any of these honestly. The pitch clock is obviously the biggest one, but I doubt you notice it once the players get used to the pace they need to keep.

I don't think you'll notice the shift rules or bigger bases at all while watching. Teams will still shift, it will just be less dramatic. And I think that more balls in play going for hits would generally improve the game.

 

This will be for the MLB season in 2023

[Brownie19]

I don't really have an issue with any of these rules. Bring on change!

[Brownie19]

MLB needs to add changes to the catcher/plate blocking rule FFS. They can't go through another season with that "clear as mud" rule.

[Laika]

I don't think the shift rules are going to have a significant impact.

 

The 4 man outfield is rarely used.

 

This new rule still allows a defender to play up the middle or right on top of 2B, meaning teams can and still will shift effectively against RHB GB and LHB GB.

 

Teams can still position outfielders wherever they want.

 

The only thing that the new rule theoretically stops is the infielder playing in short RF to take the odd hard hit single away from LHB sluggers.

[Spanky99]

Athletic article...

 

MLB 2023 rule changes expected to be voted in Friday: Pitch clock, shift restriction, larger bases

 

By Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal

Sep 8, 2022

 

 

Major League Baseball is about to look different.

 

The introduction of a pitch clock, a ban on the defensive shift and larger bases for the 2023 MLB season are expected to be approved in a vote at noon ET on Friday — a vote in which the league ultimately has the power to push through the changes it wants.

 

The commissioner’s office has a majority of seats on the sport’s 11-person competition committee, which was newly formed this year as part of the collective bargaining agreement between players and owners. MLB has six appointees, the Players Association four, and there’s also one umpire, giving the league the power to push through its most recent proposal. People with knowledge of the discussion said that this amended proposal was the final form, and would be voted on by the competition committee for implementation in the 2023 season.

 

It was not immediately clear how Players Association appointees to the committee would vote. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark on Wednesday noted at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. that players had given MLB feedback on recent proposals. Neither MLB nor the MLBPA immediately responded to a request for comment Thursday.

 

Under the proposed pitch clock, pitchers would have 20 seconds to start their throwing motion with runners on base, 15 seconds with the bases empty. Under the proposed shift restrictions, a minimum of four players besides the pitcher and catcher would have both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the infield dirt, and two fielders would need to be entirely on either side of second base.

 

Among the other points in the league’s final proposal prior to the vote, according to people with knowledge of the proposals…

 

Pitch clock, stepping off the mound and other timing matters

 

• The catcher must be in the catcher’s box with nine seconds left on the timer.

 

• The hitter must have both feet set in the batter’s box and be “alert to the pitcher” — meaning he has his eyes on the pitcher, and can quickly take a hitting stance — within eight seconds.

 

• The timer starts when the pitcher has the ball, and the catcher and the batter are in the dirt near home plate and play is ready — meaning, runners have retreated if there was a foul ball, or exited the field after an out. (The pitch timer starts with the second pitch of the game.)

 

• In between batters, there is a 30-second clock, except for the final out of an inning. The timer for inning breaks and pitching changes is 2 minutes, 15 seconds.

 

• Pitchers who violate the clock are charged with an automatic ball. If a catcher violates the clock, an automatic ball is charged as well. Batters in violation receive an automatic strike. Umpires can also award a ball or strike if they detect a player circumventing the clocks, and the commissioner’s office could issue discipline beyond that to teams whose players or staff violate rules, as well.

 

• Pitchers can step off the mound for a pickoff or any other reasons — a “disengagement” it’s called — twice per plate appearance if there is a runner on base. But, if a runner advances during the same plate appearance, i.e., by stealing a base, the pitcher gets another two step-offs. Stepping off resets the clock to its full time (20 or 15 seconds depending on whether a runner is on).

 

• If a pitcher steps off a third time or more, the penalty depends on what happens. If the runners are safe, the pitchers are charged with a balk. If an out is recorded, like on a successful pickoff, no balk is charged. No balk is charged if a runner advances, either.

 

• If the defense requests time, a disengagement is assessed to the pitcher, with several exceptions, including mound meetings, an object on the field, injuries, or an appeal. Catchers giving signals to infielders doesn’t count as a disengagement as long as the catcher is back by nine seconds.

 

• Pitcher requests for a new baseball with nine seconds or more remaining on the pitch timer do not count as a disengagement, but do if there are less than nine seconds.

 

• Mound visits have a 30-second clock starting when the manager or coach leaves the dugout, or whenever the defensive player leaves their position. If a manager joined a mound visit in progress, the timer resets if there are at least 20 seconds left on the timer. The umpire has discretion to grant additional time if a manager or coach is dealing with a physical ailment. There is no timer if a trainer goes out with the manager or coach for “a bona fide medical issue.”

 

• Teams can newly get an additional mound visit in the ninth inning only (it is not carried over if unused to extra innings) if it has used up its allotment of mound visits previously.

 

• Batters can ask for and be granted time once per plate appearance, and have to ask for time orally. That resets the pitch clock. A batter who requests time a second time or more in the same plate appearance is to be charged with a strike — unless the batter stays in the batter’s box, then the umpire has discretion as to whether to charge a strike.

 

• The length of batter walk-up music cannot exceed 10 seconds. Music between pitches is to be limited so hitters aren’t encouraged to leave the box.

 

• “Extended inning events,” like the playing of “God Bless America,” or anything that stops all action in the ballpark, requires approval from the commissioner’s office, and advance notice of those approved events has to go to the MLBPA.

 

• The pitch timer cannot be reviewed on replay.

 

• Umpires have sole discretion to direct the start, stop or reset of the timer if the clock operator makes a mistake or a special circumstance applies, such as a catcher not having enough time to put on equipment after running the bases or a medical concern. (They would reset the clock to 20 or 15 seconds).

 

Restriction on the shift

 

• When the pitcher releases the ball, a minimum of four players (besides the pitcher and catcher) must have both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the dirt, and two fielders have to be entirely on either side of second base.

 

• Every team has to designate two infielders on each side of second base who may not switch sides during the game, except if there’s a substitution for one of those infielders.

 

• The penalty for a violation is a ball and the ball is dead — unless a hitter reaches on a hit, an error, a walk, or hit batsmen or otherwise, in which case the play stands. If any other play occurs, like a sacrifice fly, or a sacrifice bunt, the manager of the hitting team can tell the umpire whether he wants to accept the play.

 

• Umpires have discretion to penalize the fielding team with a ball if the umpire detects players attempting to circumvent the rules.

 

• Teams can challenge whether a team complied with the shift.

 

Bases

 

• The bases will now be 18 inches square, rather than the present 15 inches.

[Stangstag]

I don't think the shift rules are going to have a significant impact.

 

The 4 man outfield is rarely used.

 

This new rule still allows a defender to play up the middle or right on top of 2B, meaning teams can and still will shift effectively against RHB GB and LHB GB.

 

Teams can still position outfielders wherever they want.

 

The only thing that the new rule theoretically stops is the infielder playing in short RF to take the odd hard hit single away from LHB sluggers.

 

I feel the shift ban is more dramatic than you are implying. Having 3 guys stacked between 2nd and 1st or 2nd and 3rd is a lot different than having 2 there and 1 guy directly up the middle.

 

Basically having 3 guys in a 45 degree cone on the pull side vs having 3 guys in a 30 degree cone... thats a big difference on top of no infielders playing on the grass

[Stangstag]

Could also be more dramatic if they don't allow guys to play up the middle/behind 2nd base. I haven't seen the official rule yet

[wilko]

Are PED's making their feet larger?

[Spanky99]

Are PED's making their feet larger?

 

lol

[Laika]

I feel the shift ban is more dramatic than you are implying. Having 3 guys stacked between 2nd and 1st or 2nd and 3rd is a lot different than having 2 there and 1 guy directly up the middle.

 

Basically having 3 guys in a 45 degree cone on the pull side vs having 3 guys in a 30 degree cone... thats a big difference on top of no infielders playing on the grass

 

They have data on this stuff from the minor leagues. I have not seen it but I know Eno Sarris said it does not have a significant effect on most players.

 

The main thing that defensive shifting seems to take away are hits up the middle. This rule does nothing to stop that. And I'm not sure we should even care - allowing more hits up the middle is going to benefit a lot of slap hitters. And of course Vlad lmao.

 

I just don't think LEFT vs RIGHT is going to make much difference to the guys who face extreme shifts. Maybe a handful of extra singles a year.

 

[Laika]

Baseball is exactly the same if Kyle Schwarber hits .223 instead of .211

[Jimcanuck]

Any word on the consequences of non-compliance

 

edit - so automatic balls and strikes depending on culprit

[Olerud363]

Baseball is exactly the same if Kyle Schwarber hits .223 instead of .211

 

Vladimir "80 hit tool" Guerrero JR typical season before shift rule, .274 28 homers 33 double plays

 

Vladimir "80 hit tool" Guerrero JR typical season after after shift rule, .278 28 homers 35 double plays

 

I think he'll get a couple of extra singles, but also a couple of extra double plays with the 2nd basemen right up the middle behind the bag.

[Laika]

Basically I think the anti-shifting rule needs to be more extreme if they want it to have a significant impact.

 

Something really lame like lines on the field defining where each infielder is allowed to stand at pitch release.

[Spanky99]

Basically I think the anti-shifting rule needs to be more extreme if they want it to have a significant impact.

 

Something really lame like lines on the field defining where each infielder is allowed to stand at pitch release.

 

Agreed, don't see much a point in this, now looking at that diagram. Maybe 15 feet from the base either side or something. IDK.

[Jimcanuck]

So if the count is 3-2, there is a shift infraction at the point of release, and the batter pops the ball up to the catcher for an out. It's a walk, instead? Could be the difference between post season or not, etc. Ya, I realize the likelihood is very very low.

 

No different than an offside disallowing a goal, or shot clock violation. Just seems like potentially extreme consequences for minor things - like being 0.5 sec over on the pitch.

[Spanky99]

So if the count is 3-2, there is a shift infraction at the point of release, and the batter pops the ball up to the catcher for an out. It's a walk, instead? Could be the difference between post season or not, etc. Ya, I realize the likelihood is very very low.

 

We had a bit of discussion about of this earlier this week, a pitcher hadn't pitched in time on the clock, dude hit a HR, and they called it a ball, that s*** can't happen, ever. It should be an option, like taking or denying a penalty in the NFL.

[Laika]

We had a bit of discussion about of this earlier this week, a pitcher hadn't pitched in time on the clock, dude hit a HR, and they called it a ball, that s*** can't happen, ever.

 

This sort of thing can already happen if an ump calls time mid-pitch motion

 

It would be the same I imagine. Ump all of a sudden hollering for clock violation mid pitching motion.

[Jimcanuck]

We had a bit of discussion about of this earlier this week, a pitcher hadn't pitched in time on the clock, dude hit a HR, and they called it a ball, that s*** can't happen, ever.

 

Oh ya I remember that, obviously the team offended against should get the choice of the penalty or the play result.

 

But the consequences can be pretty huge against the offending team also, if the game is on the line and the pitcher is 0.5 seconds late on the pitch. Seems ridiculous since being late on the pitch doesn't affect anything but game time.

[Laika]

Oh ya I remember that, obviously the team offended against should get the choice of the penalty or the play result.

 

But the consequences can be pretty huge against the offending team also, if the game is on the line and the pitcher is 0.5 seconds late on the pitch. Seems ridiculous since being late on the pitch doesn't affect anything but game time.

 

They do apparently for defensive violations of the anti-shifting rule

 

But not for the pitch clock violations. I guess. The timing of how those would be called out by the umps will probably be different.

[Spanky99]

This sort of thing can already happen if an ump calls time mid-pitch motion

 

It would be the same I imagine. Ump all of a sudden hollering for clock violation mid pitching motion.

 

If it's called mid motion it wouldn't be a problem, if it isn't called like in that game until after the play, that's a problem. Lots of grey area there me thinks.

[Jimcanuck]

If it's called mid motion it wouldn't be a problem, if it isn't called like in that game until after the play, that's a problem.

 

The ump reaction time will be too slow, it will invariably be after the play

[Laika]

If it's called mid motion it wouldn't be a problem, if it isn't called like in that game until after the play, that's a problem.

 

Yeah

[Brownie19]

I wonder how many times teams have used 4 OFers this year? I know that in addition to creating more outs, it also helps to prevent extra base hits. I agree that more extreme shift bans would have more extreme results, but I suspect they'll start here, see how it goes and then adjust if they feel it's still necessary. There was talk of creating a Bermuda triangle behind 2nd base that no player could stand in before the pitch it thrown. That would be the obvious next iteration if this first approach is well received, but felt not to be drastic enough.

 

I think removing the infielder from short RF will also help as it feels like you see a decent amount of outs made by that player each week.

[Spanky99]

The ump reaction time will be too slow, it will invariably be after the play

 

Yup, edited my post to reflect that.