According to sources familiar with the situation, the Major League Baseball competition committee will vote on rule changes on Friday that include a pitch clock, bigger bases, and a limit on how many times a pitcher can disengage from the rubber.
The goal is to increase action on the field, speed up the pace and reduce the amount of time it takes to play a big league game. Rules changes are expected to pass.
There is a 15 second clock with the bases empty and a 20 second clock with runners on.
Pick-off attempts are included in the two disengages from the rubber.
hitters are required to be in the batter's box and alert with 8 seconds left on the clock. One timeout per appearance is allowed by hitters.
Only two infielders will be allowed on each side of second base, and all four need to be on the dirt.
Before the pitch is thrown, infielders cannot stand on the grass.
The base will increase in size from 15 to 18.
Major League Baseball is reacting to extensive research they've done through fan and player surveys over the last few years while testing the changes at all levels of the minor league. The league believes the changes are a way of evening the playing field for hitters while making it more entertaining by returning defensive talent to the game.
The clock has a pitch clock.
When the pitcher gets the ball from his catcher or the umpire, the clock will start and the game will resume. A moment for a runner to return to a bag or a ball boy to clear the field is included in most of the time. The umpires will have a buzzer that will sound if the pitch clock has expired. A strike will be an issue if hitters aren't ready with 8 seconds left. Each hitter will be given one timeout. The visit is limited to 30 seconds if there is an injury.
There are rubber disengagements.
After a third step off, which does not result in a pick-off, a pitcher can step off the rubber. A pitcher can throw to first base up to three times, but only if the third attempt leads to an out or a baserunner getting to base. When a runner moves to a new base, the disengagement rule is reset. A third step-off would lead to a mound visit.
There is a shift.
Before the ball leaves a pitcher's hand, infielders will be monitored by umpires to make sure they are correctly aligned. In a football game, infielders can ask the umpires if they are positioned correctly with two infielders on each side of the field, but not on the grass. If a pitch is thrown while the defending team is in violation of the new shift rules, the hitting team can choose the outcome of the play. The new rules can be reviewed. Unless one of the infielders is replaced, they can't switch positions.
There are bigger bases.
The increase in the size of the bases should result in less injuries around them. The bigger bases were tested in the minor league.
Jeff Passan was a contributor.
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