The powers that be in Major League Baseball can’t leave well enough alone. So this year, they instituted several new rules. MLB baseball writer Anthony Castrocvine explains it best.
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-2023-rule-changes-pitch-timer-larger-bases-shifts
Here’s a summary
Pitch clock: Pitchers will have 15 seconds to throw the ball with the bases empty and 20 seconds with a runner on base. Hitters must be in the batter’s box with eight seconds on the pitch clock.
The Shift: At the time a pitch is thrown, all four infielders are required to be in place, with two on each side of second base. Initially, infielders who began the game on one side of the field would not be allowed to switch to the other side for the entirety of the game, but that was revised to just each inning unless there was a mid-inning substitution. In other words, a player who starts an inning at first or second base has to remain on that side of the field for the whole inning but can switch to shortstop or third base the next inning. If there’s an injury mid-inning, then the infield can be reset. Makes sense to me. (eye roll)
Pickoffs: Pickoffs are one version of a “disengagement,” when the pitcher fakes a pitch or simply steps off the rubber for any reason and when the defense requests time. Pitchers are now allowed two disengagements per plate appearance without penalty. The disengagements rule resets if a runner or runners advance a base within the same plate appearance.
Bigger bases: The size of bases will be increased from 15 inches to 18 inches. This is meant to reduce injuries and increase attempting a stolen base.
Position Players Pitching: Teams will be more limited in when they can pitch a position player. The previous rule allowed them to use one when up or down by six or more runs, but the sides are discussing a tweak in which the leading team would have to be up by as many as 10 or more while the trailing team would have to be down by eight or more in order to pitch a position player.
There’s talk that next year, teams can hire designated runners to do only that — run. They don’t have to play the outfield; they don’t have to bat; they just trot out to the second base if the hitter manages to make it to first. Then, if the next batter puts the ball into play, they run.
So, this got me thinking. Teams should hire young marathon runners who can bring it in 26.2 miles in a little over two hours. They don’t have to catch, hit, or strategize. They don’t have to know anything about the game. They keep their eyes on the base coaches and wait for the run or stay signal. That got me thinking further. Some of these players, I won’t name names, are carrying a few extra pounds and, at best, waddle instead of run. If this rule makes into the rule book, I think the players who need a pitch runner should choose who they want to run for them. It could be anyone, as long as they can run faster. I can even run faster than some of these guys. I’m thinking of one in particular. I’m not knocking him, he helped the Cubs win the series, but the guy has gotten slow.
Think of the goodwill MLB could garner by being creative about who can become pinch runners. Like me, for example. I think I can run faster than that guy. Baseball might even surpass football and regain its rightful title of America’s favorite sport if it hired a 70-year-old woman to play in the majors. It’s time to write a letter to the commissioner.
