MLB adopts pitch clock, shift limits, bigger bases for 2023

Shorter games, more action.

For Major League Baseball, that’s what Friday’s rule changes boil down to, and the makeover will be put into effect for the 2023 season.

None of this was a surprise. Commissioner Rob Manfred has been trying to install a pitch clock for much of the past decade, and abolishing the defensive shift is an idea that gained more traction in recent years. Both were approved Friday by baseball’s 11-member competition committee, a new feature of the CBA agreed to in February, as was larger bases, which will expand to 18 from the previous 15 inches.

“Number one, fans want games with better pace,” Manfred said during Friday’s news conference in Manhattan. “Two, fans want more action, more balls in play. And three, fans want to see more of the athleticism of our great players.”

The pitch clock, which already is in use at the minor-league level, will be 15 seconds with the bases empty and 20 seconds with runners on. The catcher must be set with nine seconds remaining on the clock; the hitter must be in the batter’s box, prepared for the pitch, with eight seconds left. The penalties are a ball called against the pitcher, a strike for a violation by the hitter.

Also, a pitcher is allowed two disengagements per plate appearance, which are characterized as pickoff attempts or stepping off the rubber. A balk would be called for a third pickoff try unless an out is recorded.

MLB is confident these measures will significantly speed up play after a review of the rules in the minors, where the time of a nine-inning game has shrunk from 3:04 last season to 2:38 this year.

The four active players on the committee all voted against the rule changes, which also was expected, given the union’s previous stance on what they view as radical alterations to the game.

“Players live the game — day in and day out,” the Players Association said in a statement. “On-field rules and regulations impact their preparation, performance, and ultimately, the integrity of the game itself. Major League Baseball was unwilling to meaningfully address the areas of concern that players raised.”

Despite the union’s official objection, there was support for the new rules in the Mets’ clubhouse. Mark Canha, admittedly one of the more meticulous players when it comes to between-pitch preparation, saw the speed-up measures as a positive step.

“I am open to change,” Canha said before Friday’s game against the Marlins in Miami. “I think I can evolve with the times and be open-minded. I think the rules are really good for baseball.”

As for the defensive shift, two infielders must be positioned on each side of second base and every infielder must be within the boundaries of the infield — no more patrolling shallow right — when the pitcher is on the rubber. Those players are not permitted to switch sides unless there is a substitution.

With offense evaporating and too many potential hits becoming routine outs — thanks to the analytics-powered defensive strategies — MLB believed the sport’s popularity was at risk.

“I’m all for being in a position where I can be athletic and move a little bit more and try to make more defensive plays,” said Francisco Lindor, who felt the shift robbed the game of that excitement. “I think this is going to put us in a better position to make good plays and crazy plays.”

The larger bases are meant to improve player safety, but in decreasing the basepaths by 4 1⁄2 inches, that also should help the offense as well as facilitate attempts to steal, when combined with the pitch clock and restrictions on throw-overs.

“This has nothing to do with reaching back for bygone years,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said about the rule changes. “It’s trying to make a better game for our fans.”

By David Lennon

dave.lennon@newsday.com,timothy.healey@newsday.comDPLennon,

David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.