MLB rule changes set to take effect in 2017

MLB’s competition committee has reportedly agreed on a couple MLB rule changes revolving around the strike zone and intentional walk procedure.

In recent years, Major League Baseball has made a concerted effort to make the sport of baseball more attractive to younger fans. With this, most of their approach has been related to the pace of play. Whether it be the time hitters take adjusting their batting gloves after each pitch or when pitchers toss the rosin bag around, the game lacks the appeal of a sport like football or basketball, where there’s constant action.

The most recent decision by the MLB is to implement a new strike zone. According to a report from ESPN’s Jayson Stark, “the change would raise the lower part of the strike zone from the bottom of a hitter’s kneecap to the top of the knee.” Essentially, the goal behind this change is to increase the balls in play percentage. More batted balls equals greater in-game action.

With the second rule change, the competition committee has agreed to completely get rid of the intentional walk system. Currently, to intentionally walk a hitter, pitchers must throw four pitches outside of the strike zone. However, the rule alteration would allow a pitcher to simply notify the umpire that they would like to issue an intentional walk and the batter would simply take his base.

Each of the rule changes has a clear goal in mind with their implementation. As a result, they are designed to increase the public appeal of baseball. Both alterations are tentatively scheduled to take effect for the 2017 season.

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