After being tested in the minor leagues, three big rule changes — a pitch timer, shift restrictions and bigger bases — have come to Major League Baseball, and players are spending spring training adjusting to a new reality.
Aimed at speeding up play, creating more action and safeguarding player health, the rules are expected to have a dramatic effect on the game. Here’s a look at the three major rule changes and how they might affect the Minnesota Twins.
Pitch timer
What is the new rule? Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw the ball after receiving it with the bases empty, 20 seconds with runners on. Hitters must be in the batter’s box ready to hit with eight seconds left, and can only have one timeout per plate appearance. If pitchers are not ready in time, an automatic ball will be added to the count. If hitters violate the rule, they will get an automatic strike. Additionally, pitchers can only have two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance. Violation results in a balk.
Why was this rule changed? The pitch timer helped reduce game times in the minor leagues by an average of 26 minutes, according to MLB data. Additionally, limiting pickoff attempts led to more stolen base attempts.
Who will this benefit the most? While it’s been an adjustment as pitchers learn to hasten their pace, the new rule could help pitchers because they have the opportunity to control a game’s tempo even more than they had previously.
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“Before, if you stood up there and took extra time, the batter is going to call time every time. They can’t really do that any more,” Twins right-hander Tyler Mahle said. “So, you know you’re going to pause, and also they’re not going to call time. So, it’s totally on you.”
Beyond any advantage on the field, the quicker pace of play should please fans. MLB has been testing out ways to speed up the pace of play for years, and this will be the biggest change yet.
“There’s no reason why a nine-inning game should last four hours,” shortstop Carlos Correa said. “I guess making the pace faster, making the games shorter, is good for the fans. It’s what they want. At the end of the day, they’re the ones that matter.”
Shift restriction
What is the new rule? The new rule states that two infielders must be stationed on either side of second base. Additionally, all infielders must be on the dirt and cannot be on the outfield grass.
Why was this rule changed? The intention with this rule change is to create more offense. Batting average on balls in play has been dipping in recent years, and this new change aims to correct that.
Who will this benefit the most? The shift limitations are expected to most benefit left-handed batters, who should see more groundballs find their way to the outfield.
“I talked to (Joey) Gallo … we talked about when you see three people occupying the side where your strength is, then you kind of try to play around it, whether it’s going the other way thinking about a bunt. But it takes you away from your strength,” lefty Max Kepler said last month. “Hopefully this will be a game-changer for us.”
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Bigger bases
What is the new rule? First, second and third base are now 18-inch squares, up from 15 inches. The distance from home to first and third to home was reduced by three inches, and the distance from first to second and second to third was decreased by 4.5 inches.
Why was this rule changed? This rule was targeted at improving player safety. Per MLB data, injuries near the bases were reduced by more than 13% last year in the minor leagues.
Who will this benefit the most? Theoretically, base stealers. The shorter distance between bases is expected to lead to an increase in the number of steal attempts. The Twins were last in the majors in stolen bases last season with just 38 — the major-league leading Rangers swiped 128 — but Twins manager Rocco Baldelli has pledged a “different feel, look and ability out on the field” this year.
Baldelli said the team would be playing with some “different pace,” this season, one he described as “much more fast-paced,” citing the athleticism of the roster.
Catcher Christian Vazquez, who has been above average at throwing out runners in his career, said he’s anticipating — and looking forward to — more steal attempts.
“They’re going to go. We need to be ready to throw everybody out,” he said. “I like it. That’s money to the bank.”
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