Why does MLB want to fire batboys and batgirls? Exploring latest side-effect of new rule changes causing furore

With MLB trying to speed up the pace of play, they've implemented a lot of rule changes. Batters and pitchers are on a very strict timer and punishments are doled out for missing it. Now, batboys and batgirls are subject to the speed enforcement.

As a result of these new standards, equipment assistants are going to be reviewed and the league may ask teams to fire them if they're not performing as well as the league deems necessary.

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What's going on with MLB batboys and batgirls?

According to a statement from the league, Rob Manfred wants batboys and batgirls to get equipment off the field in great speed:

“New standards will be enforced for bat boys and bat girls, whose ability to quickly retrieve equipment will help efforts to speed up the game, according to the memo. The league will evaluate the performances of bat boys and bat girls and could ask teams to replace them if their performance is considered substandard.”

Many batboys and batgirls are pretty young and this is their first "job", but if they don't get the bats as fast as Manfred wants, they could be removed from their position and replaced.

Additionally, teams now have personnel to grade these, again, children. While speeding up the game is important, this is not what anyone expected the league office to do.

MLB bat boys are now under fire

It's unclear if any batdogs who often steal the show for fans will be subject to penalties for going too slow. The days of an animal retrieving a bat or ball are probably over, though.