As the 2023 MLB season gets underway, the game will look a little bit different thanks to some rule changes the league has instituted this year.
One of them involves increasing the size of the bases. Beginning this year, the bases will be 18-inch squares, up from 15 inches. MLB’s press release touted the distance between bases will be decreased by 4.5 inches, “thereby encouraging offensive Clubs to attempt to steal bases more frequently and generally to be more aggressive on the basepaths.”
It seems unlikely that moving the bags slightly closer together will have a noticeable effect on steals, but the league also believes that the larger bases will decrease injuries, which is more plausible. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the new bases looked like a pizza box, but viewers at home will likely adjust quickly to the change.
One thing that could have a tangible effect on stolen bases is the new pitch clock, which comes with a rule limiting pitchers to two pick-off attempts per plate appearance. That, paired with limits on defensive shifts, promises to add some more action to MLB games this season.
