There are many impactful changes coming to Major League Baseball (MLB) in the 2023 season in effort to improve the game’s pace of play and increase action on the field. MLB conducted fan research to ensure the best version of the game was being played. However, there has been disinterest toward the game due to the issue of games taking longer with reduced action.

 Research showed that people want to see action and the ball in play. As a result, some new rules were adapted. All the new rules were tested in more then 8,000 games at the Minor League level and in the independent Atlantic League before being adapted in the majors.

 What are some of the new rules?

 Pitch Clock: To increase the pace of the game, there will be a 30-second timer between batters, creating a shorter time limit between pitches. There will be a 15 second timer for the pitchers to begin their throw between pitches when the bases are empty, and a 20 second timer when there are runners on base. If they fail to do so, and automatic ball will be implemented. This new rule was tested in minor league games last season, and twenty-five minutes were shaved off in the games that tested the new pitch clock rule. This new rule will help in concentrating on the action in the game in a shorter amount of time.

 Pitchers will also be limited to two disengagements from the mound, for example, pickoff attempts or stepping off the mound, per plate appearance with a runner on first base. There will now only be two pick-off attempts. If the pitcher fails on attempt three, the runner gets to advance a bases. This new rule will be sure to increase stolen base. For batters, they must be in the box and ready for the pitch by the 8-second mark on the clock, or else they will receive an automatic strike. They get one time-out.

According to MLB.com, in 2022, nine-inning Minor League games using the pitch timer were, on average, 25 minutes shorter than 2021 games that did not have the pitch timer. In addition, stolen-base activity increased from 2.23 attempts per game to 2.81, and the stolen-base success rate improved from 68% to 78%.

 Shift Restrictions: Starting this season, the defense must have at least four players in the infield and at least two infielders on either side of second base. This new rule will increase players batting averages, allow more players to get on base, increase balls in play, and allow infielders to better showcase defensive plays. Limits to the shift contributed to an increase in batting average across the Minor Leagues from .247 to .249.

 Bigger Bases: The bases will now be larger, going from 15 inches to 18 inches. Now, the distance between the bases are 45 inches shorter, increasing stolen bases and allowing fielders and runners more room.

 These rules will be in effect starting at Spring Training, giving time for players to get used to the new changes before the season.