Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a series of changes to the Official Baseball Rules, which will take effect starting in the 2024 Championship Season, including during Spring Training and the Postseason. These changes were approved by the joint Competition Committee, formed as part of the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). The Committee, made up of six team owners, four players, and one umpire, has met multiple times over the offseason to discuss ways to improve the game.
A major adjustment involves the runner’s lane, which will now be wider to include the dirt area between the foul line and the infield grass. This modification allows batters to take a more direct route to first base while still being protected from interference. The lane will be between 18 and 24 inches wide in all parks, with some flexibility for fields with synthetic turf that may be more difficult to adjust.
In an effort to address the increase in game times during the 2023 season, MLB has introduced changes to improve the pace of play. One of these changes is a reduction in the time allowed between pitches with runners on base, dropping from 20 seconds to 18 seconds. Data from the previous season showed that pitchers were starting their deliveries with an average of 7.3 seconds left on the 20-second timer, suggesting the change would not lead to more violations. Pitchers will still be allowed to step off the mound up to two times without penalty to reset the clock.
Another update focuses on pitching changes. If a new pitcher enters with less than 2:00 remaining on the inning break clock, the timer will reset to 2:00 instead of 2:15, as was the case in 2023. MLB has also decided to reduce mound visits from five per game to four, with an extra visit allowed in the ninth inning if the defensive team has none remaining at the end of the eighth. This change reflects a desire to speed up the game, as mound visits were among the least popular aspects of the game for fans.
Additionally, the rules for dead balls and the pitch timer have been adjusted. The timer will now reset after a dead ball, such as a foul ball, as long as the pitcher has the ball and is ready to resume play. This change eliminates the need for the pitcher to be on the mound, preventing them from delaying the clock by walking around the mound. A new rule also mandates that a pitcher who warms up between innings must face at least one batter before being replaced, addressing instances where pitchers warmed up but did not pitch, which contributed to unnecessary delays.
John Stanton, Chairman of the Competition Committee and owner of the Seattle Mariners, expressed his satisfaction with the changes, emphasizing the productive discussions between players, owners, and umpires. He thanked the Commissioner’s Office, MLBPA, and the Major League Umpires for their efforts in improving the game. Stanton pointed out that these changes build on the success of last year’s reforms and will continue to enhance the fan experience and the overall quality of the game moving forward.
