Only a year after Major League Baseball made significant rule changes -pitch clock, base size, shift limitations- they decided to make more changes for the 2024 season. The MLB competition committee, despite the Players Association representatives voting no, approved the following changes:
- 18-second clock with runners on base (was 20)
- four mound visits (down from five)
- If a pitcher starts to warm up before an inning, they must face at least one hitter.
- Runner’s lane to first base has been widened to infield grass.
Other notable changes:
- Catchers now will be allowed to call for a mound visit to avoid a clock violation but will not actually have to go through the formality of going to the mound.
- 15 seconds will be taken off the time relievers have to warm up if they’re late leaving the bullpen after a mid-inning pitching change. They will now have two minutes to completely warm up, from the time they leave the bullpen, instead of the previous 2:15.
- After a foul ball, the pitch clock will start when the pitcher has the ball and all fielders have made it back to their positions.
The competition committee is comprised of six owners, four players, and one umpire, giving the league a majority vote on any changes.
MLB has estimated these changes could shorten the games by around five minutes.
