Results of Baseball Roundtable Survey on 2023 MLB Rules Changes

 The Baseball Roundtable polls are closed and the results of the reader survey on MLB rules changes for 2023 (and one possible future change) are in.  The winners – at least among the 118 respondents to the Roundtable fan poll – were  the Shift Ban and the Pitch Clock, while the changes respondents loved to hate were making the Ghost Runner in extra innings permanent and the Limit on Pick-off Attempts.

Note:  Baseball Roundtable will repeat survey at the All Star break – after fans have had a chance to see the new rules in action.

Notably, while there were a few, “leave the game totally alone” responses, most appeared to evaluate each rule change on its own merits.

Before we look at the 2023 Rules Survey results, here’s a snapshot from an early 2022 Baseball Roundtable survey on factors affecting readers’ decisions to attend an MLB game.  I’d note here that In-Game Downtime and Amount (lack) of On-Field Action both far outpaced Length of Game.

With that bit of background, Let’s look at the final results of the 2023 rules change survey.

—-Shift Ban—-

Two infielders must be on each side of second base and within the boundaries of the infield as a pitch is thrown.  Also, infielders may not switch sides during a given inning (you can’t move your best infielder to the opposite side of the second base bag for a specific hitter).  Side note:  A team may still choose to bring an outfielder into the infield as a fifth infielder. Penalty:  A Ball is called.

Angels infield sift during 2015 Spring Training; Photo: Jon Gudorf Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

This rule  change saw  48.4 percent  of respondents Loving or Liking it and 39.2 percent  Hating or Disliking it.

 Love it … 15.3%

Like it … 33.1%

Hate it … 13.7%

Don’t Like it … 25.5%

Neutral/No Opinion … 2.5%

Note: In an early 2022 reader survey, 55.9% liked the prospect of a shift ban; 35.1% disliked it.  To view the full 2022 survey (which deals with a wider range of MLB rules), click here. 

Baseball Roundtable Take:  I like the restrictions (shifts seem way overused to me), but would have preferred allowing teams to use the shift a specific number of times per game (say three) – forcing managers to make a strategic decision on when to use a shift.  (The shift has long been a part of the game, just not to the extent we see it today).

—–Base Sizes—–

The size of bases is  increased from 15 x 15 inches to 18 x 18 inches.

Neutral/No Opinion was the leading answer here, with 35 percent of respondents in that category. Those Hating or Disliking the new base size did outnumber those loving or liking it by a 41.0 percent to 23.9 percent margin.

Love it … 9.4%

Like it … 14.5%

Hate it … 20.5%

Don’t Like It … 20.5%

Neutral/No Opinion … 35.o%

Baseball Roundtable Take:  If you consider this a safety issue, giving fielders and runners more space to operate in, I’m on board.  If the argument is that it will increase action on the base paths, my answer is “Yawn.” Baseball may be a game of inches, but I don’t think six fewer  inches between the outside edge of the bases is gong to make much difference.

—–Pitch Clock—–

In 2023, there will be 30-second time limit between each batter, 15-second pitch clock with bases empty (pitcher must deliver the ball within 15-seconds of receiving it), 20 seconds with runner(s) on base.  Also, batters must be in the batter’s box and ready by the time there are eight-seconds left on pitch clock.  Note: Here’s where it gets sticky for me.  With runners on base, the timer resets if the pitcher steps off the rubber or attempts a pickoff (these are  “disengagements), with a limit of two disengagements per plate appearance (more on that later). The timer is also reset  if a baserunner advances  during a plate appearance. In addition,  batters are allowed one time out during a plate appearance.  Penalties: Pitcher violation- called Ball; Batter violation – called Strike.

A  majority of respondents fell into the Love It-Like It cadres (56.8 percent to 38.9 percent in the Hate It/Don’t Like It groups).

Note: In the early 2022 Roundtable reader  survey,  55.5% of respondents liked the idea of a strictly  enforced pitch clock; 31.4% disliked it. Both the supporting and opposing numbers increased in the new survey, while there were fewer neutral responses.)

Baseball Roundtable Take:    The jury is still out for me on this one. I’m fine with a pitch clock with the bases empty, as well as with the one batter’s time out per plate appearance. I’m not sure about the limit on “disengagements”  with runners on base.  I tend to enjoy the pitcher-base runner “cat-and-mouse” game.  Also, the “disengagement” limits (more on this in a later question), at least in my mind, complicate the experience for the average fan trying to follow the game. So, I’m in a “wait-and-see” mode on that portion of this change.

–—-Limiting Pick-Off Attempts (disengagements) During a Plate Appearance—–

Pitchers will be allowed just two “disengagements” (pick-off attempts, fake pick-offs, stepping off the rubber, defensive time out) per plate appearance – with the disengagement count reset if a runner advances a base within the plate appearance. No penalty on a third pick-off  attempt if it produces an out. Penalty: If a pitcher steps off or attempts a pick-off a third time, it is treated as a Balk (runners advance) – unless the pick-off is successful (an out is recorded), then there is no penalty.

Interestingly, while a majority (56.8 percent) of respondents Loved or Liked the pitch clock, an ever larger majority (68.9 percent) hated or dislike the limiting of pick-off attempts (which , in part, prevent pitchers from circumventing the pitch clock with actual or feigned pick-off attempts).

Love It … 6.0%

Like It … 19.7%

Hate It … 49.2%

Don’t Like It … 23.1%

Neutral/No Opinion … 5.1%

Note: In the  2022 reader survey 72.5% disliked the idea of limiting pickoff attempts; 14.3 percent liked it.

Baseball Roundtable Take: Again, I like the pitch clock with no runners on base. I do not, however, support limiting pick-off attempts.  As noted earlier, I like the pitcher-base runner “cat and mouse” game – and consider pick-off plays to be on-field  “action.”  I do appreciate the third pick-off not being a violation if an out is recorded (which prevents runners from taking extraordinary leads after the allowed two pick-off attempts/disengagements).

Still, I’d feel better with just eliminating or restricting “fake” pick-offs (stepping off the rubber and “looking” the runner back).  My preference would be, if the pitcher disengages, he has to take the risk of making the throw. 

—–Extra-Inning Ghost Runner—–

The rule placing a runner at second base at the start of each extra inning is now permanent.  This is the rule change that respondents really loved to hate – with 75 percent responding they Hated or Did Not Like it (63.6 percent in the “Hate It” group).

Note; Compared to the 2022 survey, reader opposition, while still strong, was down from 82.4% to 75%, while support was up from 14.3% to 19.5%.

Baseball Roundtable Take:  Totally agree with the bulk of  survey respondents.  To me this rule change is a step too far. My stance is that  “earned” runners not “gift” runners should decide a ball game.  Yes, it will shorten extra-inning contests (I’m not convinced that’s a good thing). However, it also changes the basic structure and strategy of the game. 

—–Restrictions on Position Player Pitching—–  

Last season, position players could only be brought in to pitch in extra innings or if the player’s team was trailing by at least six runs. In 2023, the restrictions will be in extra innings or if the players’ team is trailing by at least eight runs (at any time) or ahead by at least ten runs in the ninth inning.

Well, 17.8 percent Love or Like this change, 53.4 percent Hated of Disliked it and 28.8 percent were in the Neutral/No Opinion group. .

Love It … 3.4%

Like It … 14.4%

Hate It … 27.1%

Don’t Like It … 26.3%

Neutral/No Opinion … 28.8%

Baseball Roundtable Take:  I was surprised  to see 30 percent with strong (Love It or Hate It ) opinions.  I did not expect strong opinions either way on this one.  This difference, really makes no difference to me.

—–LOOK TO THE FUTURE … Automated Strike Zone—–

Readers were asked about their opinions on the possible use of electronic devices to determine balls and strikes. Give a bit of an  edge to the umpires – even with their shortcomings – here. The Hate It and Dislike It groups had a 54.3 percent to 38.1 percent edge.

Love It … 12.7

Like It … 25.4

Hate It … 39.0

Don’t Like It … 15.3

Neutral/No Opinion …  7.6

Note: In the 2022 reader survey 54.1 % disliked the idea of an electronic strike zone, while 32.7% liked it.

Baseball Roundtable Take: Not a fan of this potential  change.  I do like to watch those pitchers with the skills to “expand” the strike zone at work. Still, if it comes to this, I can live with it. I do miss the days, however, when the philosophy was that – whether at the plate or on the basses” – the umpires “call” would even out.

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READER COMMENTS: 

Now, for a sampling of reader comments.

Automated Ball and Strike Calls

Regarding the automated strike zone, I don’t support a 100% computer-controlled system. However, I would support using it for “challenges” on balls and strikes, so long as it could be done with limitations on when or how many challenges can be used.  CHRIS (did not give a state)

_____

I like the balls and strike rules used in AAA last year. If I remember right, the batter, pitcher, catcher or either manager can ask for a very limited review of a pitch, then they show one of the computer generated views of where the pitch was. If the pitch is not reversed, the team that requested the review loses one of their appeals. EDDIE (California)

_____

LOVE the Robo Umps w/ balls & strikes. You simply can’t continue to track pitches with a computer, show the fans the real location in real time, and have umpires blow the call. Research shows 34,000 missed calls in a season. Each game averages approximately 300 pitches. That is 113 FULL games worth of missed balls and  strikes. Unacceptable. The hitters are the best in the world and can discern with expert precision. You can’t allow a bad ump to take that expertise away, while simultaneously showing the fans at home the truth. Since the chances of success vary so wildly between starting 1-0 or 0-1, we cannot allow bad umpiring to continue to cause this unnecessarily.  No Name Given, but noted permission  to use the comment.

Limit on Pick-Off Attempts

Instead of limiting pickoff attempts, I would ban leading off first base. Treat it like tagging up on a fly out. I’d also require mid-inning relievers to enter from the dugout, and no warm-up pitches.  My pitcher friend hates my reliever proposals! RICHARD (Minnesota)

Pitch Clock

I went to a minor league game last year. Went to the concession stand to pick up food and beverages……..missed about an inning and a half or so. Pitch clock was too fast.  RON, North Carolina

General

Certain things baseball needs to do to modernize the game as well as to cut the length of games and make the games more appealing.  However, some of these rules changes are just stupid and don’t address the real issues. DAN (no state given)

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I think that we have to allow ourselves to see how the game might improve for the greater good, despite my misgivings or questions about whether the changes are consistent with the spirit of the game.  STEVE (Michigan)

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