MLB Adds Pace of Game Changes, Slide Rule

“Under the new Rule 6.01(j), a runner will have to make a ‘bona fide slide, ‘ which is defined as making contact with the ground before reaching the base, being able to and attempting to reach the base with a hand or foot, being able to and attempting to remain on the base at the completion of the slide (except at home plate) and not changing his path for the objective of initiating contact with a fielder”.

The runner is still allowed to slide for the goal of initiating contact with a fielder as long as he is within reach of the base without changing his pathway. That play was not subject to review in the past. While the middle infielders in the game will adjust to the rule change accordingly, what would happen if a star middle infielder isn’t able to get out of the way of an impeding runner coming at them full speed at the second base bag?

I wonder what the baseball players from the 1900’s would’ve thought of this new rule?

The second set of rule changes includes timed 30-second mound visits for managers and pitching coaches.

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Thanks to new rule changes, this level of takeout slide may be a thing of the past.

The new rule states a “bona fide attempt” must be made by the slider to reach the base rather than the past wild west situation which had existed until Thursday.

If the runner is deemed to have violated any of these conditions, then he and the batter will be called out for interference.

The other main changes announced were in regard to pace of play. Anyway, teams now have two minutes and five seconds between half-innings for local broadcasts and two minutes and 25 seconds for national broadcasts going forward.

Some die hard baseball fan’s will hate these rules, but this is what’s best for the game at this point.

According to the press release, game times were reduced by just over six minutes (6:07) per nine inning game, and reduced the average game time to 2:56:14, down from over three hours the season before.

The Rockies may have led the league in runs previous year but their offense actually wasn’t that good.

Pirates closer Mark Melancon and reliever Jared Hughes tested out a new Major League Baseball-approved protective cap during Sunday’s Spring Training workout. Here is one of my favorite songs of their’s off of their 1996 record “Being There”.