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MLB Rule Changes Will Greatly Improve Game

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By @MichaelTerrill

Robert Manfred

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There is plenty to love about baseball. However, if there is one knock on the sport, it is the pace of the game. Thankfully, MLB commissioner Robert Manfred has come up with a few rule changes, which once implemented during the 2015 season, will improve the game greatly.

One of my favorite rules to better the pace of play is that hitters must now keep at least one foot in the batter’s box at all times. That means no taking a ball, stepping out of the box to adjust various articles of clothing and eventually stepping back into the box just to take another pitch and do the entire routine all over again. I understand several players will argue that it helps keep their focus during their at-bat, but it is boring for the rest of us.

Other rules to enhance the pace of play include a quick return to play following a commercial break, which occurs after an injury, pitching change or every half-inning. In fact, pitching changes in general are going to be sped up, which includes the umpires keeping a strict time on how long a pitcher has to enter the game from the bullpen. Also, managers will be required to stay in the dugout during replay challenges, which will greatly speed up the pace of the game.

“These changes represent a step forward in our efforts to streamline the pace of play,” Manfred said in a statement, according to ESPN. “The most fundamental starting point for improving the pace of the average game involves getting into and out of breaks seamlessly. In addition, the batter’s box rule will help speed up a basic action of the game.”

In 2014, it was reported that the average time it took to play an MLB game was 3 hours, 2 minutes. Obviously, that is ridiculous. As much as I thoroughly enjoy baseball, there is not enough action in the sport for a contest to take that long, especially when there are 162 games to be played in a season.

In order for MLB to ensure their rules take effect, players will receive a warning when they violate any of the rules. They also could be on the receiving end of fines totaling as much as $500. The warnings and fines will not occur until May in order for players to get accustomed to the rule changes.

Even though game times will not be dramatically reduced immediately, it is good to know MLB is heading in the right direction to make the sport more enjoyable for the fans.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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