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The MLB is getting bigger bases. Commissioner Rob Manfred is implementing a ton of rule changes this season in an effort to make the game more exciting and fast paced.
Baseball is notoriously one of the slowest and longest (and some would say most boring) sports out there, and Manfred wants to try and help with that.
The bases were previously 15 square inches, but now they will be 18 square inches. That's a pretty significant change for baserunners and defenders.
During Spring Training, it will be imperative for first basemen to learn where the bases are. Now that they're bigger, the muscle memory that tells their feet exactly where to go is incorrect.
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They have about a month to learn new muscle memory before the baseball season begins. Having their back foot in the wrong place can be bad.
It can lead to injury, especially if their foot is on top of the base or in the way of the runner. With a larger base, putting their foot too far back can happen pretty easily.
If they don't get far enough back, they won't record the out, so it's going to be an important adjustment.
For base runners, their mindsets have to change, too. The bigger bases MLB is implementing change where they stand, how far they can take a lead and more.
A normal lead will now be a small one, so everything is changing for everyone.
Bigger bases in MLB: What does it mean for gameplay?
The idea behind MLB's new bigger bases is that steals are among the most exciting individual plays in a game and they just don't happen anymore. Analytics has taught teams that a baserunner is far too valuable to risk stealing.
Now, with bigger bases, it'll be easier to steal. They don't have to run and slide quite as far. They can also take bigger leads. It'll be frustrating for catchers, but steals are sure to increase.
Most pick-offs and caught stealings are by a matter of inches. If those inches are no longer there, the play changes from out to safe. Just a little bit of size added to the base can have a monumental impact.
