Does MLB still have the 7 inning doubleheader rule in 2023?

Does MLB still have the 7 inning doubleheader rule in 2023? In 2021, Rob Manfred drew the ire of baseball fans everywhere with this new rule.

Seven-inning doubleheaders were not a big hit to some baseball purists, but as is the case with most MLB rule changes, fans were forced to adjust.

Typically, faster games means better baseball from a fan perspective. Unless it’s the postseason, most of us don’t want to watch a 4-hour affair, minus the occasional Red Sox-Yankees rivalry epic.

The rule was put in place for a reason, of course — the COVID-19 shortened season was an odd one, and MLB had to get in as many games as possible in a small amount of time. Still, Manfred referred would not refer to it as a “non-radical” change, in similar fashion to eliminating the DH, which remains in effect.

Does MLB still have the 7 inning doubleheader rule in 2023?

Thankfully, no, MLB does not have the same doubleheader rule in 2023. That rule was altered in 2022, and despite some consideration from the league itself, was not renewed prior to this year either.

Baseball has largely been played the same way for over a century now. Very rarely, alterations are made to keep up with the times, but recently Manfred has uprooted it altogether. Pitch clocks, electronic umpires, ghost runners and more make baseball virtually unrecognizable to those who grew up with America’s pastime.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as MLB must appeal to a new audience that is rapidly heading elsewhere for its content, such as basketball, football and even soccer. Baseball is at risk of becoming the fourth-most popular sport in the United States should it not make some adjustments.

Seven-inning doubleheaders probably aren’t one of those changes, though. Just leave it alone Rob.