Rules That Might Change Baseball in 2020

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Baseball is an iconic American sport. Along with Basketball and American Football, it is one of the top three sports in the USA, and despite soaring in popularity overseas, particularly in Japan and other countries in the far east, it’s biggest support base remains in its homeland. Since its emergence and development in the 19th-century, baseball has gradually developed into the modern incarnation we know and love. Rules can change slightly from year to year, and 2020 is no exception, there are a number of alterations coming in. However, 2020 does differ from other baseball seasons, as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across the globe. The season itself is being made shorter, meaning more games in less time – which has knock-on implications for roster selection and player rotation. New measures are being prepared to make sure that the MLB season goes ahead, but without jeopardizing the health of teams, coaching staff, officials and fans. We’ll take a closer look at what 2020 holds in store.

Three-Batter Minimum

Gone are the days of bringing a specialist reliever pitcher for one batter. Under the new rules, all pitchers, starters or relievers will now have to face three batters. That means that left-handed pitchers, more adept at striking out left-handed batters, will have to face potentially two right-handed batters. This makes strategic pitcher changes more problematic, but has the potential for a higher run count. 

Timing

Managers will now have to make a challenge quicker than they did in 2019, as challenge time is reduced from 30 to 20 seconds. That means we are more likely to see more unpredictable challenges, as the managers won’t be able to inspect video replays as long as before. Although not implemented this year, pressure continues to build on MLB to use a pitch clock. The proposed time on the clock would be 20 seconds, and as the time between pitches creeps up to almost 25 seconds, it could help keep the games lively and exciting – especially important if baseball is being played behind closed doors. 

Social Distancing 

The obvious upshot of the COVID-19 outbreak is that the games will be played without spectators. Obviously this is a profound change that will affect the feel and the outcome of the games. But the sport’s popularity will remain undiminished, and fans will still tune in in their millions to enjoy watching and betting on baseball as usual. The lack of crowd noise will enable the players in the dugout to stay six feet apart and still discuss and argue their way through any downtime from the field. All of this is likely to impact the season greatly, but hopefully sooner, rather than later, things will get back to normal. 

Spitting and Fighting

Spitting seems synonymous with baseball right? Not in 2020. Strict rules are being put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus, and fluids from the nose and mouth are one of the key ways that the disease is transmitted. Fighting may not be as prevalent as it is in the NHL, but MLB sees its fair share of fights in any given season – but this will be strictly prohibited, and will likely incur serious penalties. 

Roster Changes

Rosters are being increased from 25 to 26 players, with a maximum of 13 pitchers, for the regular season. From September, this rises to 28 players, with 14 pitchers. A player who hits and pitches is now officially designated a two-way player. A two-way player isn’t part of the pitcher allowance. 

On and Off Field

Players may have to arrive at the games in uniform (just like back in Little League), as changing facilities are likely to be restricted. Likewise, showers, saunas and other facilities won’t be available. The traditional card exchange of line ups won’t happen, and high-fives, fist bumps and other close contact celebrations are likely to be nixed. On-field signals will have to be made without licking fingers or the touching of faces, balls will be changed regularly, and dug out telephones regularly disinfected. 

On the Road

Players on the road will be severely restricted to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Teams will be encouraged to use private airfields, and when this isn’t available they will use private facilities at airports. Uber and taxi rides will be forbidden, and teams will be encouraged to use the lower floors of hotels, to minimize the use of elevators. ?Players and staff will be tested regularly, and given thermometers to self assess each day. 

Between regular rule changes and extraordinary measures due to the global pandemic, 2020 is a real shake-up for MLB. But baseball is stronger than any virus, and the show will go on!