MLB rule changes - bigger bases, and did you know the bases don’t form a square?

[bcla]

So 1st through 3rd are getting bigger. From 15 to 18 inches. That also changes the dimensions of the base paths, where 1st and 3rd form a 90° angle with home plate (technically home base). However, the rules have always been that the 90° angle is at the center of 2nd base and not the corner. So that’s actually going to push out the lines slightly.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/...mond-myths-mlb-geometry-revealed-17811057.php

https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/02/24/mlb-new-rules-2023-bigger-bases-explained

 

[luvthatduke]

I still don't understand why the bases were changed.

Also, I am praying that the ridiculous timer is gone
by the end of spring training.
The league has kept trying to shorten the game
by removing a lot of the FUN in the game,
and the timer has me fuming.
DH commented that only one game that he's watched so far
was shorter than usual.
No more leisurely viewing/listening at home or at the park .
To me it it's just another cash-grab so they can add more commercials
and spend less on the actual game time.
I wonder what the old-timers in BB would say if they were here.

Sorry, I digressed...

 

[_19disnA]

Supposedly the larger bases are to encourage me attempts to steal and/or reduce injuries. I don't think the changes are anything most fans will ever notice.

 

[CynBeth]

I am usually not in favor of most of the changes that the NFL or MLB have made in recent years.

 

[EACarlson]

I still don't understand why the bases were changed.

Also, I am praying that the ridiculous timer is gone
by the end of spring training.
The league has kept trying to shorten the game
by removing a lot of the FUN in the game,
and the timer has me fuming.
DH commented that only one game that he's watched so far
was shorter than usual.
No more leisurely viewing/listening at home or at the park .
To me it it's just another cash-grab so they can add more commercials
and spend less on the actual game time.
I wonder what the old-timers in BB would say if they were here.

Sorry, I digressed...

Most of the old timers are saying "get in the damn box and hit" or "Pitch the damn ball." Before Garciaparra, I can't recall ever seeing a batter step out after every pitch, fiddle with his batting gloves and draw a picture in the dirt before getting back in. A well played 9 inning baseball game should be no more than 3 hours, not 4.5 like we've seen some of these Yankee-Red Sox games get to.

The 18 inch base will make a difference injury wise at 1st base. And may make a difference on some safe/out tag plays at 2nd and 3rd, I don't see it changing the stolen base attempt decision making in any meaningful way.

 

[sam_gordon]

I still don't understand why the bases were changed.

Also, I am praying that the ridiculous timer is gone
by the end of spring training.
The league has kept trying to shorten the game
by removing a lot of the FUN in the game,
and the timer has me fuming.
DH commented that only one game that he's watched so far
was shorter than usual.
No more leisurely viewing/listening at home or at the park .
To me it it's just another cash-grab so they can add more commercials
and spend less on the actual game time.
I wonder what the old-timers in BB would say if they were here.

Sorry, I digressed...

I'm not a baseball fan, but have been interested in the stories about the changes. I thought the pitch clock has shortened some spring training games to under 3 hours. Was it literally just one game?

And how does the pitch clock addition add more commercials? You still have the same amount of innings, broadcasters aren't going to interrupt an inning for a commercial (barring possibly a pitcher change), so the number of commercial breaks should stay the same.

 

[RedAngie]

My proposal to shorten overly long games: the third foul when there are two strikes is an automatic out. I can’t stand batters fouling off five or six straight pitches when there is a full count.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I'm all for a shorter game. A baseball game does not need to be 3.5 hrs long with a score of 5-2. I can think of one particular player from a few years ago ( now retired) who would step out every single pitch to readjust his wrist grip-STOP!!!. Pitchers who just stall on the mound is another aggravation.
I think in a few years we wouldn't care at all about the new changes- if they do as they are intended to do.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Why the 20 seconds? Why not 25 or 30? How did they determine that.

I enjoy watching/listening to baseball. I’ve been a Phillies fan for a long time, the new rules won’t change that.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

My proposal to shorten overly long games: the third foul when there are two strikes is an automatic out. I can’t stand batters fouling off five or six straight pitches when there is a full count.

I understand the amount of time an at bat like this seems to take. My take is he's trying to get a hit since it's probably a strike being thrown. Batters that can stay alive like that are usually very good hitters!

 

[pens4821]

I actually like the rule changes for the most part. They say the bigger bases will encourage stealing. I don’t really care either way about the bases. Another way to encourage stealing is two throw overs per at bat. I love this one. It’s annoying watch a pitcher sometimes step off/throw over many times per at bat.

I also like the pitch clock and no defensive shifts. I’ve always loved baseball but it does need sped up. And the defensive shifts were getting crazy. I know they worked for the teams but to me it was annoying. I’d rather see some offense than defense.

The rule change I keep hoping they’ll change but doesn’t look like is the automatic runner on second in extra innings. That to me is ridiculous. But I guess it goes hand in hand with wanting to speed the game, but I don’t like it one bit.

 

[GAN]

I'm not a baseball fan, but have been interested in the stories about the changes. I thought the pitch clock has shortened some spring training games to under 3 hours. Was it literally just one game?

And how does the pitch clock addition add more commercials? You still have the same amount of innings, broadcasters aren't going to interrupt an inning for a commercial (barring possibly a pitcher change), so the number of commercial breaks should stay the same.

Agreed …it won’t add more commercial time unless they figure since they’re shortening a game to say 3 from 4 hours, they squeeze an extra 30 minutes of commercials in and make it a 3.5 hour game. But that would be defeating the purpose. I think it’s a good idea -and maybe adjust it to allow a little more time …no one wants to see a game end on a walk-off clock violation . Which already has happened at least once.

it will be implemented in the regular season. It‘s going to be interesting because stolen bases are likely to skyrocket, with pitchers having only 20-seconds to “play” cat and mouse with a baserunner before throwing a pitch… on top of the larger bases. Teams better have a great catcher.

 

[luvthatduke]

Well I only posted my opinion,
not looking for an argument, but...

Too many responses for me to insert/edit quotes
so I'll just post my responses here
in case anyone wants to read them:

BATTERS: Agreed that some players take it too far,
but there are many now and over the years
that have/had their SMALL rituals at bat.
Some of them it's a comfort thing
and some of them it's to psych out the pitcher.
Either way it was interesting to watch
and I'd bet if they timed all of them
it wouldn't add up to any great amount.

PITCH CLOCK: DH was the one who noticed it
while watching the Phillies so don't know if
it's 100% accurate.
All I know is he made the comment because
he thought that with only a few games played
it hadn't really shortened the games overall. YMMV.

COMMERCIALS: I believe that even if more of them
aren't shown during the game (I agree w/the post)
there may be one or two short ones attached
at the beginning and end of the games.
I've noticed there have been many 15 second commercials
vs. 30 second ones over the past year.

Also, DH believes that shortening the games
will have a direct impact on how much is sold
in the stadiums vs. past years.
Many stadiums have built themselves up into
a type of sports mall w/items you can only
buy in the park, as well as a huge increase
in food/drink restaurants inside the park/on the concourse,
with most of them being more upscale $$.
Of course eating & drinking was part of baseball
but now many people wander around w/out even sitting in the stands.
There are also amusements for the kids
that cost $$ and are time consuming.

Not saying any of this is a bad thing!

Just making the point that shorter games + keeping the park open
longer afterwards makes for much more money being spent.
NOTE: We're not sure how long the venues are kept open
it was just a thought based on reports from friends that attend.

I absolutely agree that the runner on second is ridiculous!
Again, just a way to shorten the game - buy why?
I think the networks were losing money w/long games
and that was a major influence.

I don't have a dog in this fight, only an opinion.

P.S. I wish the DIS would go back to banning foul language.

 

[tvguy]

I just don't get why MLB keeps trying to speed up the game and give me LESS entertainment for my money.
Longest game I ever went to was a AAA game. 18 innings. Went 6 hours. 10,000 was about the paid attendance as I recall, I'd estimate it was down to 100 when the game ended. But it was a hoot. Some guy in front of us made the entire opposing team infield crackup by heckling them when it got to be Midnight......."hey, I only paid for one day's parking!"

 

[RedAngie]

I understand the amount of time an at bat like this seems to take. My take is he's trying to get a hit since it's probably a strike being thrown. Batters that can stay alive like that are usually very good hitters!

Or MLB can institute our backyard wiffle ball rules: one strike or two fouls and you’re out.

And any batter who strikes out looking (not swinging) more than once per game should be demoted to the minors for a week.

 

[EACarlson]

I just don't get why MLB keeps trying to speed up the game and give me LESS entertainment for my money.

Dead time between pitches and at bats is not entertainment. I want to see the game played with as little gap between the actual action as possible.

 

[mrs. magoo]

I love the changes - the minor leagues have been using the pitch clock for many seasons. There have been no real issues and games have decreased in length - https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...-league-games-25-minutes-two-hours-38-minutes.

MLB is in major competition with other sports and people do not have time to sit at a ball park for 3 to 4 hours. If MLB can get games to 2.5 hours I think more people will be interested. MLB was formed when people did not have television for entertainment so people were looking to spend time at the ball park with family and friends. Today people are less apt to be able to invest that much time. I love baseball and am a big fan of the game but I am also on board for the changes.

 

[starvenger]

I still don't understand why the bases were changed.

Also, I am praying that the ridiculous timer is gone
by the end of spring training.
The league has kept trying to shorten the game
by removing a lot of the FUN in the game,
and the timer has me fuming.
DH commented that only one game that he's watched so far
was shorter than usual.
No more leisurely viewing/listening at home or at the park .
To me it it's just another cash-grab so they can add more commercials
and spend less on the actual game time.
I wonder what the old-timers in BB would say if they were here.

Sorry, I digressed...

I saw the timer in use this summer at a Bisons game. Did not reduce the amount of enjoyment in the game and the kids watching were certainly more engaged.

Why the 20 seconds? Why not 25 or 30? How did they determine that.

I enjoy watching/listening to baseball. I’ve been a Phillies fan for a long time, the new rules won’t change that.

They usually start with a trial in one of the independent leagues. Then they implement for a couple of years in the minors, tweaking as they go. And once they've gotten enough data, they decide whether or not to move it up to the majors.

btw, they're trying out robo-umps in AAA this year. Which means that we're potentially one year closer to Bucknor and Hernandez being unable to make bad calls behind the plate.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Or MLB can institute our backyard wiffle ball rules: one strike or two fouls and you’re out.

And any batter who strikes out looking (not swinging) more than once per game should be demoted to the minors for a week.

Next at the plate, Onion Boy with a BA of 1.000 a SP of 4.000 with no walks and no strike outs. In fact he doesn't have a single ball or single strike even. How does he do it?

 

[tvguy]

Dead time between pitches and at bats is not entertainment. I want to see the game played with as little gap between the actual action as possible.

Usually the fans booing the delays give the players a hint to speed it up.
NFL games are far far worse because of the "TV commercial break" time outs.