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MLB Announces Changes to New Rules Implemented This Spring

Following the implementation of the pitch clock and infield shift, MLB has announced some small changes to the new rules ahead of the 2023 regular season.

MLB promised new rules ahead of the 2023 MLB season and the sport received them. Between the pitch clock, infield shift ban and larger bases, some teams and players have had strong opinions, both positive and negative. 

Naturally, gamesmanship has now come into play with players trying to take advantage of loopholes within the new rules. 

This has prompted MLB to make some slight changes to the standing rules in order to eliminate some of these advantages. 

Here are the new changes according to ESPN:

  • When a pitcher must leave the mound to cover a base, the 30-second clock that begins ticking between batters will be delayed. It'll restart once the pitcher is back on the infield grass. 
  • Catchers who just ended an inning on base or at the plate will be given leniency when it comes to the  2-minute, 30-second between-innings clock. This gives catchers a reasonable amount of time to get back to the dugout, don their gear and get back behind the plate. 
  • Hitters must take it upon themselves to restart the game after taking a timeout. Batters will have to let the umpire know they are ready to resume play. 
  • When a swing knocks out equipment or forces a player to the ground, the umpire may delay the start of the pitch clock to allow the hitter to get reset. 
  • PitchCom, the system used by catchers and pitchers to call games, may soon be approved for use by pitchers to be able to call their own game.
  • Finally, to keep up the pace of play, bat boys and girls will have extra eyes on them to ensure they are doing their duties expeditiously. Failure to do so may see them replaced. 

However, none of these changes touches the fundamental part of the pitch clock as we have come to know it. These are simply so players can no longer take advantage of some of the loop holes in the new rules. 

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