MLB Embraces Change Through Baseball's Latest New Rules: The Evolution Game

It is no wonder that baseball is often referred to as America's pastime. In the last two seasons, numerous innovations have shaped it to fit into the sports and entertainment industry. These changes cater to the speed of the sport, its level of activity on the diamond, and most of all, the people to whom the sport appeals. Let us now consider the innovative rules and regulations and the possible consequences they could put into the game. 

1. Pitch Timer

One of the more controversial additions to the guidelines is the pitch timer. The pitch timer requires a pitcher to deliver a pitch within 15 seconds with the bases empty or 18 seconds with runners on base. The change seems to compress the length of slow periods of the game, such as the waiting intervals in between pitches, so that it can be more gripping for viewers. It has been estimated that, thus far, games are twenty-five minutes shorter on average, more in line with those requesting a faster frequency of occurrence.

2. Defensive Shift Limits

Major League Baseball now requires at least four defensive players in the infield, with two on each side of second base. Defensive teams had been lowering opponents' batting averages by shifting infielders to one side of the field or the other, depending on whether the batter was right-handed or left-handed. 

3. Larger Bases 

Bases grew from fifteen-inch square bases to eighteen-inch square bases. This change is aimed at preventing injuries from collisions and may also make stolen base attempts more likely because the distance between bases is decreased. 

These rule changes will significantly impact the baseball world for future seasons. Thanks for reading!