SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCCNews) – With baseball back in full swing it’s time to take a deep dive into the new rules for this season. No, the robot umpire will not be in attendance, but the fans will be to watch a faster, more exciting game at the ballpark. There are three new rules in baseball this season: a pitch timer, bigger bases and limits to the shift. All of which, the commissioner says, are ready for the big leagues.
“We’ve engaged in a process to develop rules that will bring back the best form of baseball for the benefit of our fans,” said Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred.
Syracuse Mets broadcaster, Michael Tricarico, has been witnessing these changes take place for the better part of a decade. Major League Baseball began instilling trial rules in the minor leagues as a test and are ready to bring them to the big show, growing the excitement for those in and around the game.
“I think this is going to be a really fun year,” Tricarico said. “I think the rule changes are going to be exciting just how they all work out.”
Spring Training games have been faster this season thanks to the pitch clock, a timer that creates urgency for the batter to be in the box and for the pitcher to throw the ball.
“That certainly sped up the game about 25 minutes. And in triple-A and I know in the majors during spring training, it’s been speeding up games by around 25 minutes on average,” Tricarico said.
Then there is the no shifting rule. Batting averages took a severe dip in the last few seasons dropping 12 points over the last six years thanks to the shift. Now, the league will mandate all four infielders to have two feet on the dirt, as well as two infielders on each side of the second base-bag.
“So the batting average was higher when the rule wasn’t in place than when it was. I mean, it was very slight. And again, it’s a small sample size,” Tricarico said.
The final of the three are the bigger bases, and while it does not affect the outcome of the game as much as the other two, studies have shown it keeps players from getting injured.
“Major League Baseball has said that in the minor leagues, the bigger bases have resulted in 13% less injuries on plays at a base,” Tricarico said.
While many love the game, baseball is ever changing. Whether you’re a traditionalist or you’re eager for more changes, fans can be sure that the product on the field will still be exciting.
“I don’t even really mind it. It’s it does make the game quicker and I feel like we play the game for the fans and if the fans like that, then,” said Mets infielder, Mark Vientos.
“I think it’s going to be fantastic where, you know, fans are going to come out, they’re going to know it’s going to be a two-and-a-half-hour game. You know, they can bring their kids. They’ve pushed game times back to start a little earlier. And I think it’s going to be great,” said Syracuse Mets manager, Dick Scott.
The players have bought into the new rules and they hope the fans will do the same as they flock to the ballpark come opening day. But until then, some are just eager to get back to the routine.
“We’re just looking forward to having a fun and really exciting year,” Tricarico said.
