(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
MLB, seeing how the rule changes it implemented for the 2023 season were so successful, announced further modifications to the rules.
This past season, pitchers had 20 seconds between pitches when there were runners on base and 15 with the bases empty.
The MLB competition committee has approved changes for 2024, per @JesseRogersESPN:
-18 second pitch clock with runners on
-Four mound visits instead of five
-If a pitcher warms up before an inning, he must face at least one hitter
-Runner’s lane to 1B widened to infield grass pic.twitter.com/NPnVsE5sAl
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 21, 2023
The league will now shorten the clock to 18 seconds with runners on base.
Many specialists have associated the implementation of the pitch clock with an increase in pitcher injuries, and they might be right.
Otherwise, the clock has been a success.
MLB also announced other rule changes: the expansion of the running lane to first base, the reduction of mound visits from five to four, and the obligation to include a pitcher who has warmed up between innings for at least one batter.
Fans have given their verdict about the rule changes:
This one was one of the most popular replies: “No one asked for these.”
No one asked for these
— Josh (@JoshKlein19) December 21, 2023
The game took a while to adapt to the presence of a pitch clock.
Seeking a reduction of it seems a bit extreme, but as everything in life, there must be an adjustment period.
— Chris Cutaneo (@chriscutaneo1) December 21, 2023
Why, dude? Why?
— Deen Coleman (@bamdeeno) December 21, 2023
The pitching warmup rule had some vocal detractors:
Someone help me understand this new pitcher warming up rule
— re-sign ikf, A+ offseason (@Snickidy) December 21, 2023
I really don’t understand this “pitcher warmup rule”, just leave the game how it is. In my day we just played the game!
— Old Man That Bets (@OldManThatBets) December 21, 2023
Why are they decreasing the pitch clock?
— Bustaaa14 (@MatthewBusta) December 21, 2023
The rule changes also had some backers, though: people willing to give them a chance, just like it happened before the start of the 2023 season.
Change is inevitable. I like it!
— Mason Hall (@LoadedBasesPod) December 21, 2023
These are all fine no real issues here people chill
— Andrew Van Cura (@AndrewVan) December 21, 2023
Overall, fans are divided: some of them like the changes, others don’t see the need.
Some people are more opposed to change than others: it’s natural.
The hope is that the decrease in the pitch clock doesn’t lead to more injuries.
Otherwise, the rule changes will eventually sink in and players will have spring training to adjust.
The post Fans React To Latest MLB Rule Changes appeared first on The Cold Wire.