A year after introducing the most dramatic changes in the sport in half a century, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that it will again tweak the rules this year. The adjustments will be comparatively minor, chiefly that the pitch clock will start at 18 seconds, rather than 20, with runners on base; the league will widen the runner’s lane between home plate and first base to include the dirt between the foul line and the infield grass; and a pitcher who warms up on the mound must face at least one hitter.
The competition committee comprises six owners, four players and one umpire, meaning that the league always has the votes to force through a change it prefers, which was the case on Thursday: Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark said in a statement that all four players voted against the decision.
“Players strongly feel that, following last season’s profound changes to the fundamental rules of the game, immediate additional changes are unnecessary and offer no meaningful benefits to fans, players, or the competition on the field,” the statement read in part. “This season should be used to gather additional data and fully examine the health, safety, and injury impacts of reduced recovery time; that is where our focus will be.”
