Changes Coming To Baseball For A Faster Game In 2018

By Jordan Long

Baseball in general is a slow game. Major League baseball wants to improve the pace of play. Last year, games were an average of 3 hours and 5 minutes and playoff games were 3 hours and 29 minutes. MLB has ideas that they want to put in for 2018 which could be approved as early as January 30^th.

The proposal includes a 20-second pitch clock and limiting the mound visits by players. The 20-second pitch clock would only be used when the bases are empty. If a pitcher doesn’t throw the baseball in those 20 seconds, it would add a ball but if the batter steps out of the box, it would be a strike. This rule makes sense. Pitchers don’t need to take as much time to hurl the baseball to the catcher when there is nobody on base. Adding a ball might be harsh but it will teach pitchers to be more timely throwing the baseball.

MLB wants to limit mound visits by players on the field, including catchers. They would like only 6 per game. This doesn’t make sense. The catcher needs to be able to talk strategy with the pitcher especially when he is missing the zone. It calms him down. If they go over the limit, then managers and pitching coaches will need to come out to talk which will permit the catcher to talk to the pitcher.   If games continue to be longer, there could be more changes for 2019.

According to Denverpost.com, third baseman for the Colorado Rockies’ Nolan Arenado is not in favor of these rules saying, “I’m not too fond of trying to make too many changes in the game. Baseball is a slower game, it’s a slower-paced game, that’s just what it is. I think when you try to make too many changes, I think it can cause problems and people get out of their routines.”

Major League baseball owners will meet on January 30^th.   These rules could be in play for 2018 but may not help.

        What do you think of these new rules? How do you think it will change the pace of play?