Defensive shifts

The defensive shift rule states that a team must have two fielders stationed completely on either side of second base when a pitch is thrown. A team must also have a minimum of four players with their feet on the outer boundary of the infield dirt.

Pitch clock

A pitcher will have a 15-second limit to deliver a pitch with the bases empty, 20 seconds with the bases occupied. If a pitcher violates the rule, he is charged with an automatic ball. If a batter violates the rule by not having both feet set in the batter's box in the required time, he will be dealt an automatic strike.

Mound visits will also be limited to 30 seconds from the time the manager or pitching coach leaves the dugout.

Bigger bases

Bases will increase in size from 15 inches square to 18 inches. The theory is that this will help prevent injury and give base-stealers a slight advantage.

Pickoff limit

A pitcher will be able to step off the mound for a pickoff or any other reason a maximum of twice per plate appearance. The limit resets if the runner advances via steal, wild pitch or passed ball.

A pitcher can attempt a third pickoff but if it doesn't result in an out, it is an automatic balk.

I hate the shift, good riddance. The others they'll quickly adjust to...

I like any rule changes that help make the game more entertaining. I may be in the minority but I think pro sports have to evolve or they really will fade away. That said, I agree that the two throw over limit is really going to have an impact. Will guys throw over for a third time and say, "He was going to steal easily, anyway, so might as well take a shot." And if that's the case, will the value of a great throwing arm behind the plate be reduced? Are Paul LoDuca and Victor Martinez the new style of valuable catcher? It'll be fun to see the adjustments.

the rule change will result in a huge reduction in pickoff attempts, right now most pickoff attempts are just to keep the baserunner honest, they aren't serious attempts to actually pick the guy off. that will stop and the pitcher will only throw over if they're really trying to get him out. you won't see the two throw limit reached very often, at least in the short term. maybe over time you'll see a lot more speedsters as organizations adjust to the new rule change.

The larger bases is a small but important improvement and will encourage more steal attempts. It will be interesting to see what kind of difference that makes. Limiting pickoff attempts will probably factor in somewhat. I’m ambivalent about the shift but will probably help some hitters and I hate the pitch clock.

Taken together, these rules could (I am tempted to say should, but one never knows what unintended consequences will happen) result in more balls in play, and more stolen base attempts. I also expect to see more runners moving on the pitch, even if not a straight steal attempt, especially with pull hitters at the plate since the defense won't be able to shift.

Those things are good for the game, I think. Cuppie's comment about catcher throwing being devalued is interesting; I see his point, I think, but my expectation is the opposite. With more runners moving, and the pitcher's pickoff attempts probably reduced in effectiveness, a strong catcher's arm is going to be the ONLY defense against an SB. We might see a return to the 60s-70s era when many teams willingly carried a .210-hitting, no-power, catcher with a great arm.

We saw the failure that was the illegal defense in the NBA. Why would we bring it here? Defenses should be able to play however they want to prevent scoring. It’s up to the offense to score. I’d rather lower the mound again than pass a rule as stupid as telling infielders where to stand.

I personally hate the shift, so selfishly am glad it's gone. I don't know if banning it is the best thing for the sport though. Nothing is more infuriating to me as a former player to see a ball RIPPED up the middle..... only to be routinely fielded by the 3RD BASEMAN for an easy out. Drives me crazy.

The other thing that drives me crazy is the ridiculous "catchers blocking the plate" rule. It's a horrible rule, it's horribly enforced, and ruins the game experience imo.

Bigger bases, don't think will have any impact. Limited pickups just further reduces the strategy of a pitcher and is dumb. Pitch clock is dumb. This isn't basketball.

I disagree that sports have to evolve or change. Baseball just has the worst marketing team in pro sports and makes excuses instead of talking about the excitement of the games. Old, boring, tired announcers are another part of the problem. Maybe we should ban them instead.

K. I've finished my coffee - rant over

Posted by chargingryno on 9/11/2022 10:52:00 AM (view original):
I personally hate the shift, so selfishly am glad it's gone. I don't know if banning it is the best thing for the sport though. Nothing is more infuriating to me as a former player to see a ball RIPPED up the middle..... only to be routinely fielded by the 3RD BASEMAN for an easy out. Drives me crazy.

The other thing that drives me crazy is the ridiculous "catchers blocking the plate" rule. It's a horrible rule, it's horribly enforced, and ruins the game experience imo.

Bigger bases, don't think will have any impact. Limited pickups just further reduces the strategy of a pitcher and is dumb. Pitch clock is dumb. This isn't basketball.

I disagree that sports have to evolve or change. Baseball just has the worst marketing team in pro sports and makes excuses instead of talking about the excitement of the games. Old, boring, tired announcers are another part of the problem. Maybe we should ban them instead.

K. I've finished my coffee - rant over

I love Sim baseball but I can’t watch a baseball game. I am too conditioned by the instant gratification of basketball and the full time action of football.
Im not saying baseball is not a great game to watch. I just think that you have to be a patient soul to be into it these days.

The shift change brings to mind how the NBA created the 3 second rule because of Wilt.
And I believe the NHL changed the rules to allow passing over a greater distance.

I think that the rules to make the baseball game much faster is needed.
It does partially negate a good and entertaining chat between broadcasters
but there will still be some of that just like the other sports have.

I think that the speed up the game is great.
I compare the shift change to the 3 second rule and the zone defense ban in basketball for ages. Now they allow a regulated zone defense.

so next year i need to shift right for a right-handed dead pull hitter

i move SS or 3B to LF, and one OF to DS

that's right, i just now invented a new conceptual position: Deep Stop

no can do you say. the IFs all gotta have a foot in the dirt

you think my groundscrew can't plow the whole field?

I just saw a minor league game a couple of weeks ago with the pitch clock, and there were no problems at all. Game move along at a good pace, pitchers delivered pitches within the time alotted. I'm all in favor.