The new pitch clock rule meant to speed up games has been welcomed by most Chicago Cubs and White Sox players, and we’ll begin seeing it next weekend when Cactus League games begin in Arizona.
Baseball is changing at a rapid pace, thanks in part to Theo Epstein, MLB’s master of change as Commissioner Rob Manfred’s consultant.
Last year brought the adoption of the universal designated hitter, which Epstein was in favor of before well became he became president of the Cubs in 2011. This year’s big changes are the installation of a pitch clock and limiting defensive shifts and disengagements from the mound (pickoff attempts and step-offs). Bases also are larger to encourage more stolen-base attempts.
