New MLB Rules 2023: Explaining how Pitch Clock will result in a better viewing experience

Major League Baseball will introduce a pitch clock, restrictions on defensive shifts and larger bases in 2023. The recently established Joint Competition Committee decided last week in favor of three rule modifications intended to speed up play, increase action and enhance safety. These changes were inspired by recent experiments in the minor leagues.

"Major League Baseball is going to look and play so so so much different this year…(pitch clock, banned shifts, bases, etc.)…and I still don’t think people realize just how different it’s going to be yet," Danny Vietti of CBS Sports tweeted.

The only three rules put forth by MLB for the Joint Competition Committee, which was established as part of the 2022–26 Collective Bargaining Agreement, were the pitch clock, defensive shift limits and larger bases. The Joint Competition Committee is a voting body made up of four active players, six members appointed by MLB and one umpire.

How will the MLB pitch clock work?

There will be a 30-second timer between hitters in an effort to quicken the game's tempo. The bases will be empty for the first 15 seconds of the timer between pitches, and runners will be on base for the second 20 seconds of the timer.

The game continues without consequences if the team that is hitting reaches base and runners move forward on a ball hit in violation. The hitting team has the option to accept the penalty, which would automatically add one ball to the hitter's count, or decline it, in which case the play would stand if it had any additional consequences (such as an out, a sacrifice, etc.).

In general, an FTC needs to be familiar with the entire industry. The pitch timer does not start until the fielder has returned to his place.

For example, if the right fielder has just raced to the side wall to chase down a foul ball that has gone into the stands, he has time to return to his position. If, for example, the umpire is sweeping home plate or a batter is passing his equipment to a coach after recording a hit, the clock must also not be ticking.

A team will get an extra mound visit in the ninth inning if it has used up all five of its permitted mound visits before that point. This effectively acts as another form of disengagement. If required under unique circumstances, umpires may be granted extra time.

The new rules should help expedite the pace of play, enhance the amount of action on the field and decrease injuries. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the changes have been tested in about 8,000 Minor League games.