{"id":23286,"date":"2023-08-05T19:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-08-05T08:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wolfgangsport.com\/?p=23286"},"modified":"2023-08-05T19:38:32","modified_gmt":"2023-08-05T08:38:32","slug":"biggest-rule-changes-in-mlb-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wolfgangsport.com\/biggest-rule-changes-in-mlb-history\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Biggest Rule Changes in MLB History: 2023 Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are the biggest rule changes in MLB history? These rulebook changes have helped to shape what the game is today, keeping baseball engaging and relevant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Biggest Rule Changes in MLB<\/span><\/h2>\n

These rule changes helped to shape Major League Baseball into what it is today. Let’s take a look at the 10 biggest rule changes of all time.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Mound and Strike Zone Changes (1969)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Pitchers completely dominated the 1968 MLB season known as the “Year or the Pitcher”, led by Bob Gibson’s 1.12 ERA. The league reacted by making one of the biggest rule changes in baseball by lowering the mound by 5 inches, giving it a new height of 10 inches above baseline. <\/span><\/p>\n

The rule changes had the desired effect and teams averaged 0.65 more runs per game in the 1969 season, an increase of almost 20%.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Free Agency (1976)<\/span><\/h3>\n

The reserve clause was in place in baseball since the late 1800s and gave teams the exclusive rights to a player. This meant that players weren’t free to enter into a contract with another team and that it was entirely up to a team to reassign, trade, sell or release a player. <\/span><\/p>\n

Free agency was introduced in 1972 but it was the Seitz decision in 1975 that nullified the MLB’s reserve clause. Free agency in 1976 gave players more control over their careers and created an open market.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Interleague Play (1997)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prior to the introduction of Interleague play in 1997 the only time American and National League teams would compete against each other in games that count toward official team or league records was in the World Series. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although there are those against Interleague Play<\/a> and the argument exists that it diminishes the prestige of the World Series, its introduction has opened up games between geographical rivals<\/a> that may not have been seen in generations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Instant Replays\u00a0 (2008)<\/span><\/h3>\n

The introduction of instant replays to overturn incorrect decisions is one of the biggest rule changes in MLB history. Taking place in 2008 it was the last of the four major sports leagues in the US to have a replay review system in place.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the most recent instant replay system each manager is allowed one challenge per game and will lose it only upon an unsuccessful challenge. From the eighth inning onward the umpires can initiate a replay review or for any boundary home run call.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Pitch Clock (2023)<\/span><\/h3>\n

One of the most significant rule changes in MLB history was the introduction of the pitch clock. Pitchers have 15 seconds with empty bases, or 20 seconds with runners on base to begin their motion or they’ll be charged with a ball. <\/span><\/p>\n

Batters not in the box within eight seconds receive a strike. In 2021 an average MLB game took 3 hours 11 minutes. The introduction of the pitch clock has shaved about half an hour off game times which is keeping fans engaged.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Over 1.5 million people attended MLB games this past weekend.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the best attendance for a weekend in April or May in more than six years.<\/p>\n

And it proves that the pitch clock is having a positive impact on MLB attendance \u2014 not negative.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n