According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, Major League Baseball is planning on testing out a rule change, first being implemented in Rookie Ball. The rule puts forward that a runner would automatically be placed on second base at the start of extra innings.
This rule has been used before, as it has been used in international baseball for nearly a decade. It will also be implemented this spring in the World Baseball Classic. MLB will first test it out this summer in rookie ball, the Gulf Coast League and the Arizona League.
The current plan is to start the tenth inning, and every inning after that point, with a runner on second base.
Former MLB manager and current MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre is behind this rule change. He told Passan, “it’s not fun to watch when you go through your whole pitching staff and wind up bringing in a utility infielder to pitch. As much as it’s nice to talk about being at an 18-inning game, it takes time.”
Major League Baseball has amped up their efforts to speed up pace of play lately, and this is the next step in their effort. The NHL and NFL both change their rules when it comes to overtime periods, so why not MLB do the same with extra innings?
Torre went on to tell Passan, “It’s baseball. I’m just trying to get back to that, where this is the game that people come to watch.” I’m sorry Mr. Torre but I have to disagree with you. Baseball you have to work to score runs. If you’re just going to hand teams base runners and just put a man on second to begin every extra-inning, that isn’t baseball.
As you can tell, I personally dislike this possible rule change. First of all, who doesn’t love seeing an out-of-position player pitch. Also, this rule could add some strategy to some ball clubs, for example bunt that man on second over and have a man on third with one out. I think there are certainly ways to change for the good and improve the game, however this is not one of them. I want the best for the game of baseball, but this is simply not the answer.
