MLB front offices believe Spring Training will be sloppy as players get used to new rules: "Look like a s*** show"
This MLB season will look different than any other in the past. This is the first year that the league will be implementing a set of new rules. These new rules are meant to speed up the game and make it more entertaining and safer for the players. These rules include a pitch clock, a defensive shift ban and larger bases.
These rules will be in effect at the start of Spring Training. This gives players and coaches an ample amount of time to get used to the rules before the season starts. With that said, many around MLB believe we're in for one sloppy Spring Training.
Even the people in baseball who have pushed hardest for sweeping rule changes understand.
This won’t be easy.
And this won’t always be picturesque.
That's why you can expect this spring to look like a s— show.
@jaysonst explains:
theathletic.com/4194101/2023/0…
"Even the people in baseball who have pushed hardest for sweeping rule changes understand. This won’t be easy. And this won’t always be picturesque. That's why you can expect this spring to look like a s— show." - The Athletic MLB
There are a lot of new rules for these players and coaches to get ready for. It's going to be tough for some guys who have been playing the game a certain way their whole lives to go up and change.
Take slow-working, max-effort pitchers, for example. They can throw as hard as they do because of the time they take between pitches. It will be interesting to see how some of these guys adjust to the pitch clock.
This is going to be a very important Spring Training for all MLB teams learning the new rules enforced by baseball.
*Pitch Clock
*Bigger bases
*Limited pickoffs
Kevin Cash has a good plan in place and loves the pitch clock rule. #RaysUp https://t.co/RJ4KU3mLMB
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash noted that his pitchers take their time, and they'll have to figure it out. It may be the toughest new rule for players to get used to this season.
Do these new MLB rules make for a better game?
MLB wants a quicker, safer, and more entertaining game. While these rules have been tested in the minors, they've proved to have an impact on games. The pitch clock cut down minor league games by 25 minutes.
That's pretty substantial. Fans weren't stuck watching a batter with one foot out of the box, adjusting his batting gloves three times in a row for no reason. Things like that aren't needed.
Another rule that fans are seemingly excited about is the implementation of bigger bases. Originally, this was put in place to limit the number of collisions, especially at first base. Not only does this make the game safer, but it may increase the number of stolen bags we see this season. Watch for someone like Trea Turner to be the most aggressive he has been on the basepaths this year.
These new rules will be tough to get used to at first, but they should make for a more exciting game moving forward.