2015 MLB Rule Changes

[imref]

Per rosenthal, mlb will announce the following rule changes to speed game play:

1. Managers must challenge replays from dugout.
2. Batters must keep one foot in box unless an established exception occurs.
3. Play to resume promptly once broadcast returns from commercial break.

[houston-nat]

Per rosenthal, mlb will announce the following rule changes to speed game play:

1. Managers must challenge replays from dugout.
2. Batters must keep one foot in box unless an established exception occurs.
3. Play to resume promptly once broadcast returns from commercial break.

Excellent.

[Natsinpwc]

These all sound good.  Maybe they should define promptly such as within 10 seconds.

[Vega]

Per rosenthal, mlb will announce the following rule changes to speed game play:

1. Managers must challenge replays from dugout.
2. Batters must keep one foot in box unless an established exception occurs.
3. Play to resume promptly once broadcast returns from commercial break.

Awesome.

[imref]

the rule change requiring batters to keep a foot in the batters box is going to drastically change the game.  It will be interesting to see how the guys with the long in-between pitch routines (Zimmerman, Span, Werth to name a few) react and adjust, and if it negatively impacts their numbers.  Given these guys are creatures of habit, this is a pretty significant change to make to how they approach at bats at this stage of their career).

[varoadking]

Are these just Spring Training trial issues or are they set in stone now?

[DPMOmaha]

the rule change requiring batters to keep a foot in the batters box is going to drastically change the game.  It will be interesting to see how the guys with the long in-between pitch routines (Zimmerman, Span, Werth to name a few) react and adjust, and if it negatively impacts their numbers.  Given these guys are creatures of habit, this is a pretty significant change to make to how they approach at bats at this stage of their career).

That's what Spring Training's for. On the surface, I like these rule changes a lot.

[DPMOmaha]

Some changes to instant replay, too.

[DPMOmaha]

The pace of play changes:


Batter's Box Exceptions:

[mitlen]

Eliminate walk-up music and any time allotted to it.

[Kevrock]

the rule change requiring batters to keep a foot in the batters box is going to drastically change the game.  It will be interesting to see how the guys with the long in-between pitch routines (Zimmerman, Span, Werth to name a few) react and adjust, and if it negatively impacts their numbers.  Given these guys are creatures of habit, this is a pretty significant change to make to how they approach at bats at this stage of their career).

This. Anyone who has stepped into the batters box knows this is huge.

This is actually a disadvantage for the Nats as we have one of the best quick pitchers in the game (Fister) and a manager with questionable decision making ability.

[Kevrock]

Actually to me it's less about routine and more about being able to clear your head, strategize, take a cut and stay loose. It's kind of crazy for the pitcher to be able to dictate pace this much

[Kevrock]

Wait is there some control on pitchers that I'm missing? What I might try as a pitcher is to slow my pace down since the batters will be stuck in the box.

[mitlen]

Wait is there some control on pitchers that I'm missing? What I might try as a pitcher is to slow my pace down since the batters will be stuck in the box.

Isn't there a time limit on pitchers to pitch?

[DPMOmaha]

Actually to me it's less about routine and more about being able to clear your head, strategize, take a cut and stay loose. It's kind of crazy for the pitcher to be able to dictate pace this much

Adapt or die. They'll be able to do most of this from the box, they just won't be able to take ten steps away from the batters box to do it. They'll figure out a new routine to do what they need to do. This is entertainment before it's anything else.

[HalfSmokes]

Wait is there some control on pitchers that I'm missing? What I might try as a pitcher is to slow my pace down since the batters will be stuck in the box.

When the bases are unoccupied, the pitcher shall deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call “Ball.” The 12-second timing starts when the pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher. The timing stops when the pitcher releases the ball.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp

I don't remember ever seeing it enforced though

[DPMOmaha]

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/pitcher_8.jsp

I don't remember ever seeing it enforced though

I think there was something that said even the fastest pitchers in the game don't deliver the pitch that quickly. Although, I'm not sure when the timing was measured from. I'd bet it would be pretty reasonable to enforce the 12 seconds from the moment the "pitcher is in possession of the ball and the batter is in the box, alert to the pitcher".

[Vega]

I'm a huge fan of the rule forcing the batter to stay in the box. It'll keep donks like Span from making each at-bat take forever.

[blue911]

Tase 'em

[whytev]

I'm thankful the pitch clock isn't running during the game. A commercial break clock is more than reasonable.

[RobDibblesGhost]

So a strict 2:25 between innings, huh? If we're lucky, maybe that means fewer silly gimmicks such as the Presidents Race. If the batter is supposed to step into the box at :40 remaining, that leaves only 1:45 of actual break time.

[RobDibblesGhost]

Getting rid of "God Bless America" would knock a few minutes off of Sunday afternoon and other random games. Nothing against the song at all but I don't think it belongs in baseball.

[Slateman]

2&3 will all but eliminate #1

[varoadking]

There is no place for time limits in baseball.  I watched the 2:25 clock in action today and was apalled...