In 2023, Major League Baseball (MLB) will implement three significant rule changes aimed at improving the pace of play, increasing action, and enhancing player safety. These changes—a pitch timer, limits on defensive shifts, and bigger bases—follow extensive testing in the Minor Leagues. The Joint Competition Committee, created as part of the 2022-26 Collective Bargaining Agreement, approved these rules. The committee consists of active players, MLB appointees, and an umpire. Although the automatic ball-strike system (also known as “robot umps”) was tested in the Minors, no formal proposal has been made for its use in MLB as of 2023.
The pitch timer is designed to speed up the game and make the action more continuous. Between batters, there will be a 30-second timer. Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw a pitch with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on base. The pitch timer has already proven effective in the Minor Leagues, reducing game times by an average of 26 minutes. This change, coupled with limits on pickoff attempts, has also led to an increase in stolen base attempts, reflecting the desire for more dynamic play. The pitch timer aims to make games faster and more exciting for fans.
The pitch timer rule also includes specific guidelines for enforcement. If a pitcher fails to begin their motion before the timer expires, it results in an automatic ball. Conversely, batters must be in the box and alert the pitcher by the 8-second mark, or they will be charged with an automatic strike. Additionally, pitchers are allowed only two disengagements—such as pickoff attempts or stepping off the rubber—per plate appearance. The limit resets if a runner advances. If a pitcher makes a third pickoff attempt without success, the runner automatically advances one base.
Another major change is the limitation on defensive shifts. In the 2023 season, teams will be required to have at least four players on the infield, with two players on each side of second base. This rule seeks to restore more traditional outcomes on batted balls and increase the batting average on balls in play, which has decreased in recent years. The rule also aims to allow infielders to showcase their athleticism by preventing teams from shifting their best defenders to one side of the field. Teams will still be allowed to position outfielders in the infield, but four-outfielder alignments will be prohibited.
The third change involves the size of the bases, which will increase from the traditional 15 inches to 18 inches square. This adjustment is primarily intended to improve player safety by providing more space and reducing the risk of collisions, particularly at first base. The larger bases will also decrease the distance between bases by 4 ½ inches, which may encourage more stolen base attempts. Additionally, the expanded base size could help reduce oversliding, where players lose contact with the base during their slide.
These rule changes come after years of testing and refinement in Minor League games. MLB has conducted thorough research to determine what fans want to see on the field. The changes reflect the desire for quicker games, more action, and more athletic displays from players. By making these adjustments, MLB aims to address these fan preferences while keeping the essence of the game intact, ensuring that both the pace and the excitement of baseball are enhanced for modern audiences.
