MLB bans shifts and adds pitch clock despite union objections

Major League Baseball’s new Joint Competition Committee voted to ban defensive shifts and add a 15-second pitch clock beginning in the 2023 season. But the approval comes despite objections from the MLBPA.

The union confirmed that the four active players on the competition committee — which also included an umpire and six MLB nominees — had voted against the changes to the shift and the addition of a pitch clock, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that these Rules were still in effect with 7-4 votes. A third rule, expanding the size of bases, was unanimously approved by the 11-member committee.

“Players live the game – day after day. Rules and regulations on the field affect their preparation, performance and ultimately the integrity of the game itself,” the MLBPA said in a statement. “Major League Baseball was unwilling to meaningfully address the concerns raised by players, and as a result, the players on the Competitions Committee voted unanimously against implementing the defensive shift rules and the use of a pitch timer.”

In his own statement, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the rule changes “will make the game even better and more enjoyable.”

“These moves are designed to improve the pace of play, increase action and reduce injuries, all goals that are overwhelmed by our fans,” Manfred said in his statement.

Previously, MLB had unilateral control over enacting new rules with a year’s notice, but the new collective bargaining agreement signed this spring gave players a voice in the discussion.

A pair of Blue Jays were among the 11 committee members who voted on the rule changes: CEO Mark Shapiro and utility player Whit Merrifield. Other members of the committee include Bill DeWitt Jr., CEO of the Cardinals, Greg Johnson, chairman of the Giants, Dick Monfort, CEO of the Rockies, John Stanton, chairman of the Mariners, and Tom Werner, chairman of the Red Sox. The panel umpire is Bill Miller and the other players are Cardinals pitcher Jack Flaherty, Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow, and Giants outfielder Austin Slater. Cubs infielder Ian Happ also participated as a backup.

Following the announcement, MLB outlined details of how the three new rules would be implemented.

pitch timer

Pitch Timer: How the pitch clock increases the speed of the game pic.twitter.com/czTLdnM1Uh

— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2022

Under this new rule, a pitcher must begin moving before the clock runs out. Pitchers have 15 seconds between pitches with empty bases and 20 seconds between pitches when there are runners on the bases. Additionally, a pitcher can come off the rubber and reset the timer twice per plate appearance, and any further such actions would result in a block unless an out is recorded on the basepaths. The exit counter is reset when a runner advances.

A batsman must be in the batter’s box with at least eight seconds remaining on the clock, and each batsman is allowed only one timeout per plate appearance. A catcher must be in position behind home plate with at least nine seconds remaining on the clock.

The umpires are given the power to allocate additional time at their discretion.

Defensive Shift Limitations

Shift Limits: More on how the Shift Limits show athleticism pic.twitter.com/SW5SizwZmB

— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2022

MLB has seen teams increasingly employ defensive shifts to plan for expected outcomes and will look to combat that strategy with some new caveats.

The restrictions fall into three subcategories.

Lateral positioning: Two infielders must be on each side of second base when a pitch is being thrown.

depth: All four infielders must have both feet within the dirt boundary of the infield when a pitcher is on the rubber.

No change of sides: Infielders cannot switch sides of second base unless a switch is made.

Bigger bases

Bases: How larger bases improve player safety pic.twitter.com/64N047KXip

— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2022

The only rule passed unanimously is that this change increases the size of first, second, and third bases from 15 inches square to 18 inches square.

The rule aims to improve player safety by giving runners and fielders more space on the bag. Additionally, MLB expects teams will attempt to steal more bases as the gap between first and second and second and third is reduced by 4.5 inches.

With files from The Associated Press.