Greg Lovett-USA TODAY NETWORK

There will be some major changes in Major League Baseball in 2023, and the game will look a little bit different to the product we’re used to seeing now.

Per Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the introduction of a pitch clock, a ban on the defensive shift and larger bases will likely be approved in a vote at noon ET on Friday. The commissioner’s office has the majority of seats on the 11-person competition committee, which was formed as part of the collective bargaining agreement between players and owners.

MLB has six appointees, the Players Association has four and there’s also one umpire, meaning that MLB will get its way and will be able to green light its proposal. If the proposed changes are approved, then these would be introduced in time for the 2023 major league season.

All of the alterations suggested were mentioned during negotiations in the thick of the lockout, so this news shouldn’t come as groundbreaking. It is, however, significant because the introduction of a pitch clock would give pitchers 20 seconds to start their throwing motion with runners on base, and 15 seconds with the bases empty. That particular change would help to speed up the game, the league hopes.

The elimination of the shift would mean that a minimum of four players, beside the pitcher and catcher, would have both feet completely in front of the outer boundary of the infield dirt, and two fielders would need to be entirely on either side of second base.

When it comes to making the bases bigger, these would be extended from the current 15 inches to 18 inches square, according to The Athletic. The league hopes that the benefits of increasing the sizes of the bases are twofold. For starters; they hope that bigger bases would reduce injuries and collisions. Secondly; MLB also hopes that by making the bases bigger and more room would increase the action and ensure that there is more success when it comes to stolen base attempts.

Overall, Major League Baseball want to implement these changes in the hope of making a much better product for its fans. The proposed changes have largely gone down well and a slightly sped-up game, more action on the base paths, less player collisions and more action in the field should all benefit the game.

For a more detailed breakdown of the proposed changes and what they could look like, you can read The Athletic’s full report.