MLB Hoping To Return To Nine-Inning Doubleheaders, Modified Extra-Inning Rules In 2022
• By Anthony Franco
TODAY: The automatic runner rule in extra innings might be modified rather than removed, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes. The rule could be altered so that the auto runner wouldn’t become part of the game until the 11th or 12th inning, with the first extra frame or two played until regular rules.
July 13: “I don’t think seven-inning doubleheaders are going to be part of our future going forward,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters (including ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand) today. Additionally, Manfred also suggested that the league could do away with the modified extra-innings rule that saw a runner automatically placed on second base at the start of each extra frame.