Major League Baseball (MLB), which opened on the 30th (local time), welcomes fans with several changes this season. It is a dimension that shortens the game time and provides more spectacle to the fans.
First, the pitcher pitches while watching the new ‘pitch clock’. With the introduction of the pitch clock, the average MLB exhibition game time this year was reduced by 26 minutes compared to last year.
The pitch clock, which limits the pitching time, is 20 seconds if there is a runner and 15 seconds if there is no runner. If the throwing preparation motion is not completed within the time limit, it is counted as a ball.
The batter must be in a batting stance before the eighth second is reached. A strike is awarded if the batter breaches the time limit. If there is no runner, you must be ready to hit within 7 seconds, and if there is a runner, within 12 seconds. A batter may request time only once per at-bat.
The pitcher may reset the clock by throwing a check ball. To prevent pitchers from overusing it, containment pitches are limited to two throws per runner. A containment ball that exceeds the permitted limit may not tag out a runner. Rather, the pitcher balks and the runner advances.
It is expected that stealing attempts will increase due to the regulation of check ball restrictions. Earlier in the minor leagues, applying the rule resulted in a 26% increase in stolen base attempts.
In order to prevent collisions between players, the size of bases for 1st to 3rd bases is increased. The 15-inch square base changes to an 18-inch square. As a result, the distance from home plate to first or third base decreases by 10.16 cm. The distance between 1st base and 2nd base and 2nd base and 3rd base is reduced by 11.43 cm.
The larger base is expected to affect the success rate of stolen bases. In a base run, an out is decided in a fleeting moment. A reduction in baserunning distance can make a big difference in stealing results. In addition, with the addition of restrictions on ball control, it is expected that more base-stealing ‘daggers’ will appear in the league.
In this year’s MLB exhibition game, where these rules were introduced, the number of stolen base attempts per game increased from 1.6 to 2.3. The stealing success rate increased by 5.8 percentage points from 71.3% to 77.1%.
There are restrictions on defensive shifts. Defensive shift is a defensive strategy that moves the position of a fielder by analyzing the opponent’s data and tendencies.
Except for the pitcher and catcher, infielders cannot leave the infield dirt. Also, there must be two people standing on either side of second base.
The defensive team must have at least four players in the infield. This means that the outfield 4-man shift, which sends an infielder to the outfield, becomes impossible. Defensive shifts using outfielders are still permitted.
With this rule, it was predicted that the number of in-play situations in which the batted ball would fall into the fair area would increase. This is because the defensive team has limitations in setting a ‘customized’ defensive position for each batter. As a result, the hitter can hit the ball into fair territory with relatively little awareness of the direction of the batted ball.
In fact, due to the defensive shift ban in this year’s exhibition game, the BABIP (in-play batting average) of left-handed hitters rose from 0.314 to 0.327. However, the right-handed batter’s BABIP was 0.310, similar to last year’s 0.311. 먹튀검증
As a result, this season, it is expected that the number of hits and infield numbers missing between 1st and 2nd base or between 2nd and 3rd base will increase, providing fun to watch.
In addition, there were strong restrictions on the fielder’s mound appearance. Rules have been strengthened to allow fielders to pitch when the winning team leads by more than 10 points in the ninth inning, or when the losing team leads by more than 8 runs regardless of innings. Previously, fielders were allowed to pitch if the difference between the two teams was 6 or more points.
The pitcher will also be able to relay his pitches to the catcher through a ‘pitch com’, an electronic device for transmitting his pitch sign. Fielders on the defensive team will also be able to use up to five receivers. Pitchcom, introduced last season, allowed the catcher to give a one-way signal to the pitcher.
Reduced time on the bench for coaches to ask referees for video review. If the coach is dissatisfied with the referee’s decision, he must immediately raise his hand to indicate that he is considering reviewing the video. The referee will then give the coach an opportunity to request a video review for 15 seconds. If there is no video review request within 15 seconds, the referee will reject all further requests.
Also, for the first time in major league history, all teams face each other. As a result, the number of matches between teams from the same district is relatively reduced.
Meanwhile, the overtime match introduced in the aftermath of Corona 19 in 2020 will be maintained. However, in the postseason games, the match-up does not apply.
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